U.S Flag ?
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U.S Flag ?
Not too sure if this has been asked before. . .
but i'm interested to know. . why do U.S troops wear there flag patch on there uniforms backwards ?
but i'm interested to know. . why do U.S troops wear there flag patch on there uniforms backwards ?
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If worn on the left shoulder, the familiar layout is appropriate. If the same patch is applied to the right shoulder, it is backwards, as the stars canton would be to the rear.
If, alternatively, the correct patch has been produced for wear on the right shoulder, it may appear to be backwards, with the stars to the right, but is in fact correct.
Essentially, the idea is to signify advance, not retreat.
In the military, such things are taken appropriately seriously, but it is not uncommon to see tin-pot security uniforms with the "normal" flag on the right shoulder, and it looks ridiculous.
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It can be worn on either shoulder but the stars always face the front, to replicate the way the flag hung when it was carried into battle on a staff.
The stars on the flag always face forwards (if sideways on) or to the left (front on).
The stars on the flag always face forwards (if sideways on) or to the left (front on).
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On the subject of national flags, I get really wound up when I see the Union Flag being carried upside down, usually by sportspersons who have just won a gold medal at an athletics meet (rare indeed) or by the baying morons in the crowd at international football matches. 
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I am told that the US will wear the stars and stripes on their left arm on normal duties and peacekeeping, and only on the right arm during warfighting, peace enforcing ops.
Saw this in Albania in the late 90's when we had USAF units supporting the refugee ops with flag on left arm and then US army units that were war fighting with the flag on the right arm.
Dont know if its still the case?
Saw this in Albania in the late 90's when we had USAF units supporting the refugee ops with flag on left arm and then US army units that were war fighting with the flag on the right arm.
Dont know if its still the case?
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I heard that it had something to do with the child labourers in the third World Country employed to make the badge, produced them the wrong way round?
Last edited by cockneyrock; 14th Sep 2006 at 12:54.
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Essentially, the idea is to signify advance, not retreat
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For those who used to be train spotters when young and happy
British Railways (in the days they used steam kettles to haul things around) used to have a proper crest (known by all and sundry as the "lion on a dartboard") and did the same thing, changing its orientation so that the lion faced forward when looked at from either side.
Someone pointed this out to the school of heralds (or whoever) and they told them it was wrong, any heraldic device only has one way of being displayed and hence British Railways had to change things around.
I would assume flags are also heraldic devices.
(Also, are people who paint the flag on planes as if they were just flags flying from a flagpole just stealth wanna-bes who think their plane is invisible ?)
British Railways (in the days they used steam kettles to haul things around) used to have a proper crest (known by all and sundry as the "lion on a dartboard") and did the same thing, changing its orientation so that the lion faced forward when looked at from either side.
Someone pointed this out to the school of heralds (or whoever) and they told them it was wrong, any heraldic device only has one way of being displayed and hence British Railways had to change things around.
I would assume flags are also heraldic devices.
(Also, are people who paint the flag on planes as if they were just flags flying from a flagpole just stealth wanna-bes who think their plane is invisible ?)
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Surely it is up to each nation to decide the orientation and flag protocol for themselves, as their national history evolves. The flag of Sweden for example has been around since 1569, and predates the UK's flag, as the Kingdom was not United then.
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The DoD maybe wrong but Americans, in general, as a nation respect their flag and country far more than we here in England do.
Our flag is our nation's identity, if only it were respected like some people respect their religion.
Our flag is our nation's identity, if only it were respected like some people respect their religion.
Our flag is a symbol of "Freedom" that was won by defeating an oppressive government. Thus, we honour that symbol as a way of remembering what this country is all about and understand what individual freedom means. Our Constitution limits the power of government and protects the individual against the excesses of oppressive government.
So it would seem The People ,in this country, see the flag as more than a mere national ensign.
Those who have fought under that banner have even a stronger affection for the flag than those who have not. Every Veteran is entitled to a flag covering their casket at their funeral and it is presented to the next-of-kin after being folded by the Honor Guard.
We buried a young Marine a few weeks back, killed in action in Iraq. Members of the VFW, American Legion, Marine Corps League, and others attended the funeral. Retired Marines were in their Dress Blues, Active Duty Marines were there in Dress Blues, others were wearing Red Blazers as members of the Marine Corp League, other Veterans wore their headgear.
The sight of the Flag, smell of cordite following the firing of the salute, and the sound of Taps made for a very emotional experience.
Yes, that Flag is special to us.
So it would seem The People ,in this country, see the flag as more than a mere national ensign.
Those who have fought under that banner have even a stronger affection for the flag than those who have not. Every Veteran is entitled to a flag covering their casket at their funeral and it is presented to the next-of-kin after being folded by the Honor Guard.
We buried a young Marine a few weeks back, killed in action in Iraq. Members of the VFW, American Legion, Marine Corps League, and others attended the funeral. Retired Marines were in their Dress Blues, Active Duty Marines were there in Dress Blues, others were wearing Red Blazers as members of the Marine Corp League, other Veterans wore their headgear.
The sight of the Flag, smell of cordite following the firing of the salute, and the sound of Taps made for a very emotional experience.
Yes, that Flag is special to us.
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SASless: Indeed.
But the founding fathers retained one connection: the colo(u)rs of the flag derived directly from the red, white and blue of the Union flag of the United Kingdom.
Blood is thicker than water.
But the founding fathers retained one connection: the colo(u)rs of the flag derived directly from the red, white and blue of the Union flag of the United Kingdom.
Blood is thicker than water.
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http://www.usflag.org/colors.html
What do the colors of the Flag mean?
Sentimental writers and orators sometimes ascribe meanings to the colors in the flag. The practice is erroneous, as are statements on this subject attributed to George Washington and other founders of the country.
From the book "Our Flag" published in 1989 by the House of Representatives...
"On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress passed a resolution authorizing a committee to devise a seal for the United States of America. This mission, designed to reflect the Founding Fathers' beliefs, values, and sovereignty of the new Nation, did not become a reality until June 20, 1782. In heraldic devices, such as seals, each element has a specific meaning. Even colors have specific meanings. The colors red, white, and blue did not have meanings for The Stars and Stripes when it was adopted in 1777. However, the colors in the Great Seal did have specific meanings. Charles Thompson, Secretary of the Continental Congress, reporting to Congress on the Seal, stated:
"The star is a symbol of the heavens and the divine goal to which man has aspired from time immemorial; the stripe is symbolic of the rays of light emanating from the sun."
What do the colors of the Flag mean?
Sentimental writers and orators sometimes ascribe meanings to the colors in the flag. The practice is erroneous, as are statements on this subject attributed to George Washington and other founders of the country.
From the book "Our Flag" published in 1989 by the House of Representatives...
"On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress passed a resolution authorizing a committee to devise a seal for the United States of America. This mission, designed to reflect the Founding Fathers' beliefs, values, and sovereignty of the new Nation, did not become a reality until June 20, 1782. In heraldic devices, such as seals, each element has a specific meaning. Even colors have specific meanings. The colors red, white, and blue did not have meanings for The Stars and Stripes when it was adopted in 1777. However, the colors in the Great Seal did have specific meanings. Charles Thompson, Secretary of the Continental Congress, reporting to Congress on the Seal, stated:
"The colors of the pales (the vertical stripes) are those used in the flag of the United States of America; White signifies purity and innocence, Red, hardiness & valour, and Blue, the color of the Chief (the broad band above the stripes) signifies vigilance, perseverance & justice."
Also this from a book about the flag published in 1977 by the House of Representatives... "The star is a symbol of the heavens and the divine goal to which man has aspired from time immemorial; the stripe is symbolic of the rays of light emanating from the sun."
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The Grand Union Flag of 1775 seems to be the prototype.
A quote from Wikipedia on the subject:
At the time of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776, this was the most commonly flown flag, and was present at the naming of the country, "the United States of America," on September 9, 1776. The flag was the official flag for the beginning of the American Revolution. The Grand Union Flag formed the basis of the Stars and Stripes, which would adopt stars for independent states instead of British colours for British colonies.
Seems pretty clear to me.
A quote from Wikipedia on the subject:
At the time of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776, this was the most commonly flown flag, and was present at the naming of the country, "the United States of America," on September 9, 1776. The flag was the official flag for the beginning of the American Revolution. The Grand Union Flag formed the basis of the Stars and Stripes, which would adopt stars for independent states instead of British colours for British colonies.
Seems pretty clear to me.
Flag Folding Ceremony
Flag Folding Ceremony
UNITED STATES FLAG STARS AND STRIPES FOLDING CEREMONY
We fold from the stripes toward the stars, for whereas the stripes represent the thirteen original colonies that founded our republic and they are now embodied in the fifty sovereign states represented by the stars so that the stars cover the stripes.
The first fold of our Flag is a symbol of life.
The second fold is a symbol of our belief in the eternal life.
The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the Veteran departing our ranks who gave a portion of his (her) life for the defense of our country to attain peace throughout the world not to have been in vain and shall never be forgotten.
The fourth fold represents our weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, for it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in times of war for His divine guidance.
The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of the immortal Stephen Decatur, “Our country, in dealing with other countries, may She always be right, but it is still our country, right or wrong.”
The sixth fold for this is where our hearts lie – and it is with our hearts that we pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
The seventh fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for it is through these same armed forces that we protect our country and our Flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic.
The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the Valley of the Shadow of Death, that we might see the light of day, and this fold is made to honor Mother, for whom it flies on Mother’s Day.
The ninth fold is a tribute to our womanhood, for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty and devotion that the characters of men who have made this country great, have been molded.
The tenth fold is a tribute to Father, for he too has given of his sons for the defense of our country, since he was first born.
The eleventh fold, for in the eyes of a Hebrew citizen, this represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, and glorifies in their eyes the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.
The twelfth fold, for in the eyes of a Christian citizen, this represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies in their eyes God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost.
When the Flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, which reminds us of our national motto, “In God We Trust.” After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on an appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the Sailors and Marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones, and they, followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, have preserved for us the rights, privileges and freedom which we are enjoying today.
UNITED STATES FLAG STARS AND STRIPES FOLDING CEREMONY
We fold from the stripes toward the stars, for whereas the stripes represent the thirteen original colonies that founded our republic and they are now embodied in the fifty sovereign states represented by the stars so that the stars cover the stripes.
The first fold of our Flag is a symbol of life.
The second fold is a symbol of our belief in the eternal life.
The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the Veteran departing our ranks who gave a portion of his (her) life for the defense of our country to attain peace throughout the world not to have been in vain and shall never be forgotten.
The fourth fold represents our weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, for it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in times of war for His divine guidance.
The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of the immortal Stephen Decatur, “Our country, in dealing with other countries, may She always be right, but it is still our country, right or wrong.”
The sixth fold for this is where our hearts lie – and it is with our hearts that we pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
The seventh fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for it is through these same armed forces that we protect our country and our Flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic.
The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the Valley of the Shadow of Death, that we might see the light of day, and this fold is made to honor Mother, for whom it flies on Mother’s Day.
The ninth fold is a tribute to our womanhood, for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty and devotion that the characters of men who have made this country great, have been molded.
The tenth fold is a tribute to Father, for he too has given of his sons for the defense of our country, since he was first born.
The eleventh fold, for in the eyes of a Hebrew citizen, this represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, and glorifies in their eyes the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.
The twelfth fold, for in the eyes of a Christian citizen, this represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies in their eyes God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Ghost.
When the Flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, which reminds us of our national motto, “In God We Trust.” After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on an appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the Sailors and Marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones, and they, followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, have preserved for us the rights, privileges and freedom which we are enjoying today.