May a flag be worn in clothing?

[Frey]

Sorry, i guess it was the confederate flag i was thinking of.... I am getting senile in my old age.......lol

[Peter Ansoff]

Sorry, I guess I was thinking that the Union Jack was a British flag

LMFAO!!!!!! the union jack IS the UK flag!!

Of course, the USA has a "union jack" also. It is plain blue, with 50 white stars, arranged the same way as on the American flag. The American union jack flies on the bows of US Navy and Coast Guard ships when the ship is in port. (At least, it did until a few years ago. In 2002, the Navy replaced the union jack with the so-called "First Navy Jack" for the duration of the war on terrorism. The Coast Guard, however, still uses the union jack.)

The American union jack has been used on US Navy ships since the Revolutionary War (of course, it had 13 stars back then). It has also been unofficially used on merchant ships from time to time -- you'll see it in many paintings of ocean liners and early steamboats.

The use of the British union jack on vessels is regulated by law; only ships of the Royal Navy can fly it and others can be arrested and fined for doing so. This is not the case with the American union jack, which can be flown by anyone.

Peter Ansoff

[coplay]

The code states that you should not wear a flag.

As a retired military member and the spouse of a USAF Officer we see shirts and other cloth's with the flog on them at the base exchange. If it were not permissible they would not sell the items in the exchange.

If it makes you uncomfortable then do no wear the item. I myself have a shirt with many flags on it. I wear this shirt on Flag day, 4th of July etc...

I believe that you show your pride in our country by doing so.

Leonard

[habu5150]

The flag code (section 3) states:

The words ``flag,
standard, colors, or ensign'', as used herein, shall include any flag,
standard, colors, ensign, or any picture or representation of either, or
of any part or parts of either, made of any substance or represented on
any substance, of any size evidently purporting to be either of said
flag, standard, colors, or ensign of the United States of America or a
picture or a representation of either, upon which shall be shown the
colors, the stars and the stripes, in any number of either thereof, or
of any part or parts of either, by which the average person seeing the
same without deliberation may believe the same to represent the flag,
colors, standard, or ensign of the United States of America.

Section 8d. states:

The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or
drapery.


According to this any representation of the flag is considered, in fact, a flag and should never be used as wearing apparel.

Just because something is sold on base, does not mean it is within code. I had this same discussion on the way to a military funeral last week. I serve on the base honor guard and we noticed a torn flag flying at a house across the street from the church. Most of the honor guard members were unaware that flags on clothing are not allowed by code. Please note that my son has a flag shirt and until recently I was unaware of this part of the code.

The flag is considered to be living and is due respect. Individuals who display the flag must accept the rights and responsibilities as such.

It is not my place to tell you what you can or cannot due. The flag code does not specifiy punishment, as this would be a violation of protetion of free speech as provided under the first admendment. Just as someone has the right to burn the flag as an expression of free speech, you have the right to wear on one a T-Shirt.

Respectfully,

Aaron B. Santry, SSgt
McConnell AFB, KS

References:
US CODE--TITLE 4--FLAG AND SEAL, SEAT OF GOVERNMENT, AND THE STATES
Flag Rules and Regulations

[YCHistorian]

AmericanFlagUK:

Does the UK have a "flag code" similar to that in the US? The reason why I ask is that it seems that the Union Jack has been, and still is, being made into all sorts of clothing. This was very popular back in the 1960's, especially with the Carnaby St. crowd (I think). Is there any law in the UK that prohibits using the Union Jack in an article of clothing? Thanks. -YCHistorian

[american_flag_uk]

No - the UK has no flag code

but then flags arent seen in the same light as they are in the USA
but i dont hear of many disrespectful acts on our flag really either - such as burning it or being purposly disrespectful

union flag and england flag clothing is available in the shops and online to buy should you wish to wear it
it is not disrespectful here to wear the flag- either on clothing or the flag itself or to write upon the flag

personaly i think flag clothing is ace i very much like to see people weaing clothes with flags on them

i am here in england and i enjoy wearing US flag clothing i just got some ace new pants which im wearing today- one leg is full of stars the other is vertical red and white stripes!

[Peter Ansoff]

Although it's not clearly defined, the modern custom seems to be that it's OK to depict the US flag on clothing (T-shirts, etc.), and it's also OK to wear clothing that with stars-and-stripes motifs (like Uncle Sam's costume). What's not OK is to cut up an actual flag and use it to make clothing.

The section of the Flag Code that Habu 5150 quotes above is applicable only within the District of Columbia, and it is the only section of the Code that includes enforcement penalties. It is also blatantly unconstitutional, and I'm sure that it would be overturned if anybody bothered to challenge it.

The use of the British Union Flag at sea is regulated by law; it can only be flown by ships of the Royal Navy. However, as a_f_uk stated, there is no equivalent of "Flag Code" for civilian use. In fact, there is no law that even says it is the national flag of the UK. It is used to represent the UK at the United Nations, at British diplomatic posts, and other such locations, but this is by custom only.

Peter Ansoff

[McBuffs]

I have been told that flag protocol tells us that it is improper to wear a flag lapel pin unless it is on a uniform - military, police, fireman, etc. I am a Vietnam era Naval Flight Officer in my late 60's and no longer wear any kind of uniform. Therefore, I have retired my lapel pin. Out of repect for the flag and the country, I suggest everyone do the same.

[american_flag_uk]

hi there and welcome to USA flag site

ANYBODY can wear a flag pin!
if you wish to wear the pin then you may! theres absolutley no need to stop wearing it!

its not disrespectful to wear it at any time

go ahead and wear it and show your patriotism and pride in your country!

[David Peck]

Peter,
This is my first time posting on this site. I just found it on Google. I have a question on a different subject.

I'm deployed to Iraq. I just got a care package with a square bandana American Flag and a Sharpie pen. The instructions say to have those serving with me to sign the flag and send it home as a keepsake. First, it doesn't seem right to sign a flag. Even though it's not the correct dimensions, it is a depiction of the American Flag. I've seen people sign real flags for retirement gifts and keepsakes also. Second, having a flag depicted on a bandana doesn't seem right.

What are your thoughts on these two issues? I’ve seen posts about “…to each his own…”, but I’m a conservative guy and would rather be overly respectful to the flag than exercise my freedom of expression.

Thanks for your time,
CWO2 David Peck
USMC
Camp Fallujah, Iraq