Proper flag disposal

[Peter Ansoff]

For what it's worth, Army regulations state that "shredding" is a proper way to dispose of a worn flag.

Peter Ansoff

[dianaon]

I am a Boy Scoutmaster x only a few years. But to my best knowledge, through this org. , and in speaking with retired servicemen is the proper way to burn the tattered flag is:
1. Cut and hold all red stripes (symbolizing blood shed for USA)
2. Cut all white stripes, abd hold seperately (symbol fo purity)
3. Keep the whole sqare of stars in one piece (unity of the nation)
A ceremonial fire should be built (yes, outside for plastics, noncotton flags), and as the pieces are put in one speaks of their symbols.
4. Nothing is then added to the fire- no wood, (no cooking marshmellows over it), so make sure it is good enough to totally burn all your flags.
5. The next day, the ashes are removed and buried.
6. The metal rivets may be buried also, or given as a token to a retired American serviceman

The service should be held by US veterans, or related groups- Coast Guard, West Point students, Boy, Girl scouts.

Am I wrong? I'm reading otherwise.

[Peter Ansoff]

Hi, Dianaon, welcome to the forum!

First of all, here's what the civilian flag code says about flag disposal: "The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning." The regulations followed by the armed forces are similar. For example, the applicable US Army regulation says: "When a flag is no longer suitable for display, it will not be cast aside or used in any way that may be viewed as disrespectful. If not preserved as [a relic], it will be destroyed privately, preferably by burning, shredding or by some other method that does not show irreverence or disrespect to the flag."

None of the current regulations rules or regulations say anything about cutting the flag apart. In fact, the original version of the flag code that was adopted back in 1923 said specificially: "[the flag] should be destroyed as a whole, privately, preferably by burning or by some other method in harmony with the reverence and respect that we owe to the emblem representing our country."

Again, none of these authorities say anything about cutting the flag apart before destroying it. Individual organizations can, of course, make up their own rules, but they are not based on anything official.

Personally, I don't think that the idea of cutting the flag apart is very respectful -- it seems more like some kind of pagan ritual than anything patriotic. That's just my opinion, however.

Best regards,

Peter Ansoff

[Disabled Vet]

My son asked me a question that I could not answer about the flag. Why would you have to cut the flag in pieces before you burn it?
Thanks for looking

[Peter Ansoff]

Greetings, Disabled Vet! Glad to have you with us.

Your son's question is well taken. Actually, you don't have to cut up the flag before disposing of it. Individual organizations may make up their own rituals for flag disposal, but there's nothing in the flag code or military regs that supports them. See my 9/20/09 post, above, for detailed references.

Best regards,

Peter Ansoff

[Roger]

I was thinking of some very dignified (and cool) helmet bags for my old synthetic flag?

[NAVA1974]

I was thinking of some very dignified (and cool) helmet bags for my old synthetic flag?

Do you mean turning the worn flags into bags and using them to store your helmet? If so, it is my opinion that doing so is disrespectful of the flag. The flag code specifically prohibits such re-use when it says the flag should be destroyed when no longer serviceable. This is in contrast with the (former?) British practice of turning old flags into cleaning rags.

Nick

[Roger]

Do you mean turning the worn flags into bags and using them to store your helmet? If so, it is my opinion that doing so is disrespectful of the flag. The flag code specifically prohibits such re-use when it says the flag should be destroyed when no longer serviceable. This is in contrast with the (former?) British practice of turning old flags into cleaning rags.

Nick

The flag is being destroyed! It is getting recycled into helmet bags. IMO a very dignified end to a usefull life as a flag! I haven't done it yet as my g-friend also is of your mind set. But if we truely think about the proper disposal of a synthetic flag. Not pushing it off on someone else. Not infecting the environment. A true interpretation of an honorable disposal. It seems to me reuse fits the bill. Its life as a flag will stop the day I cut it up and it will begin a new life as a couple of very usefull and dignified bags for a couple of helmets, which I get a lot of enjoyment out of.

[NAVA1974]

Roger:

You stated "Its life as a flag will stop the day I cut it up.."

Ok, I think you have a valid pont.

I still disagree,but let's see what the rest of the forum members say!

Nick

[Peter Ansoff]

I tend to agree with Nick. The sense of the flag code is clearly that a worn-out flag should be destroyed, not cut up and re-used for something else. I think that this was the intent behind the prohibition on using flags as clothing, for example. The original 1923 language of the flag code said that the flag should be destroyed "as a whole," and military regs still say that. Roger's argument that the flag ceases to be a flag when you cut it up strikes me as overly legalistic.

Not infecting the environment. A true interpretation of an honorable disposal. It seems to me reuse fits the bill. . . . it will begin a new life as a couple of very usefull and dignified bags for a couple of helmets, which I get a lot of enjoyment out of.

The fact that it's useful, environmentally friendly, etc., is beside the point. The flag is a symbol of the nation and should be treated with dignity. Cutting it up and using the pieces as a storage bag would not, I think, strike most people as being very dignified. As Justice Holmes said in the quote down there at the bottom, perception is the real issue.

Having said all that, there is an interesting philosophical issue here. Supposing that I were to manufacture made-for-the purpose helmet bags that were decorated with a stars and stripes motif. One could argue that these were never flags in the first place, and that they're in the same category as Uncle Sam's suit, for example. Again, it comes down to perception -- would the average observer see my bags as mutilated flags, or not?

Peter Ansoff