Thread: Down right Un-American...

Had a pretty fun day at the beach today. Got to much sun and a little burnt. However it took a sharp left turn for the worse while pulling into our neighborhood. I noticed that our neighbors a few doors down and around the corner had their garbage cans out on the curb. Not abnormal since garbage day is tomorrow. The thing that immediately drew my attention and turned me 50 shades of angery was the tattered and faded American flag that they just rolled up and tossed out in the can. OMG can you be any more down right un-American and disrespectful than that? I hit the brakes scaring my passengers a bit, did an illegal u-turn and pulled in their driveway. After beating on the door for a few minutes they didn't answer or weren't home. Which in hindsight was probably smart given my state of mind on the issue at hand. So I took it out of the garbage and properly folded it up with my teen daughter and her girlfriends. I have some military neighbors that Im pretty close with. They are going to take it to the base and give it a proper send off. Ive never been so infuriated at anyone that lived that close to me.

Im still a bit wound up about this. I mean c'mon, really????

I understand the anger, I would have just pulled it from the garbage first,,, knowing things would have gone bad had they answered a knock.

But,,,,,,,,

They at least had a flag,,,, & hopefully you saw a new one flying in their yard. People buy flags with good hearts, but never learn how to properly dispose of a worn out tattered flag.

I would like to think that they just didn't know better.

,and thanks for saving Her.

Our neighborhood and town is primarily composed of an upper middle class population. For most the part that means some sort of college degree, speaking on averages of our towns demographics. So that means they could have researched it if they didn't know. We have several large military bases in SoCal so finding a service man or woman from any branch is easy to do. Even our schools have a military path for students wanting to make that choice a career. Its not hard to find out the right choice on how to give ole glory a befitting send off.

But like you said, at least they had her flying.

I'm hoping that they just didn't know any better.

I think it is obvious they didn't know any better and a proper way to learn would be for you to go down the the American Legion and see if they have a form describing the proper way to relieve a flag of duty honorably. Then maybe get 20 or 30 Vets to go with you to deliver it. Leaves a lasting impression and they could hold you back from the home owner. No you don't wanna go armed :<0)

Any VFW or American Legion will properly dispose of an American flag. Yeah that sticks in my craw too. Freddie

Don't want to tread on any American toes here, but how do you properly dispose of an old flag?

James.

Here you go....... Proper Disposal of the American Flag when Unserviceable, Old, Tattered, Damaged Beyond Repair | USA Flag Site

For the record it took approx. 10 seconds to find that info.

Most people don't know any better. I would bet they never even gave it a second thought. You would be amazed at the rules of flag etiquette. There is only 1 company that makes our flag in America. The rest are made out of the USA. Just saying. Ignorance is no excuse but they most likely mean't no disrespect. Spring has sprung!