In the USA it's sacred ..... they have Flag Laws etc etc
Indeed! At Barksdale AFB in 1979, we were rather surprised to see a whole row of Union Flags without the St. Patrick's cross - the pre-1801 version - and queried whether this was some questionable demonstration of pro-republican support for a united Ireland, or what.....
The 'conversation' took place after the Giant Voice banquet in the O Club dining room after copious libations, so perhaps wasn't really all that serious.
We agreed with a B-52 captain and his BN that UK hono(u)r would only be satisfied by the 'donation' of a suitable 'gizzit' - so one of those very posh Stars and Stripes jobs, complete with gold tassels and cords, mounted on a pole stuck up a golden duck's arse, found its way into the unsuspecting DetCo's golf bag, which we were taking back to the UK in our mighty Tin Triangle. But we had to assure the Buff chums that Old Glory would be treated respectfully.
And so it was.....until it was auctioned off at the 35 Sqn disbandment dinner at RAF Scampton some years late and £25 went into the bar kitty!