Does anyone honor our flag anymore?

[FryingPansWhoKnew]

If you are civilian, to be clear, you should never salute. You should, however, remove your cover (hat), face the flag and put your right hand over your "heart" (left chest).

Yes, I was saving space. Is there a single word to describe removing your cover (hat), facing the flag and putting your right hand over your "heart" (left chest)?

 

[englanddg]

Yes, I was saving space. Is there a single word to describe removing your cover (hat), facing the flag and putting your right hand over your "heart" (left chest)?

Ok, ok, I was being too literal. Point made. <grin>

 

[offwithyourhead]

Since this has gotten pretty heated, may I interject that perhaps people walking around didn't realize it was some kind of ceremony? Main street has a lot of American flag colors and some decorations. And all over Disneyland and California Adventure there are surprise little performances and happenings that many people don't know about ahead of time. The fire hall thing, the main street cars, dapper Dans, newsboys, Buena Vista St citizens... there are a lot of things going on all over the place. People from other countries might not know the anthem and just think it's another performance of some kind.

 

[brooke789]

I have to say that I had no idea you were supposed to put your hand over your heart any time other than during the pledge of allegiance.

 

[VandVsmama]

True, I think though that someone is going to point out that the "disrespect" was perpetrated in the US. Certainly it's forgivable, but people are going to think it's disrespectful regardless.



To be fair, the national anthem is probably not something sung in schools. It's such a hard song to sing that it doesn't make for a good ensemble sing along.

It's taught in some public schools but it's not a part of the standard curriculum. My 3rd grader was taught it in music class last year and it was part of a music performance the kids in her grade did during the school year. There was something really special about seeing all of those 8 and 9 year old kids singing it. It gave me goose bumps!

 

[Laz]

Web sites on Flag Etiquette (Not Law):

http://www.usflag.org/flagetiquette.html
http://www.americanlegion52.com/flag_etiquette2.html
http://www.emilypost.com/everyday-manners/important-manners-for-every-day/425-flag-etiquette

It is a free country. Do, or do not do which you think is best. Every time a flag is marched by me, I can not help but stand and show respect. I reflect on all those I know who so proudly defended my rights to do, or not do what I feel is best. I will "Let It Go" and wish you all happy times!

 

[GoBears 1980]

It's a thought experiment. It doesn't matter. Point is you don't know others' customs, so don't expect them to know yours.

Point is...... in hypotheticals, they ought to be credible.

 

[GoBears 1980]

I don't happen to believe that people must stop what they're doing if a flag goes by in Disneyland. I love my country, but I don't buy into the whole enforced patriotism game. If people wish to participate in those kinds of rituals, fine by me. I'm just not one of them. There is a time and place for such things but Disneyland would be one I would consider a personal decision, not an ethical mandate.

It isn't a mandate nor enforced anything...... it just says something about you and how people perceive you. Most things in life are a personal decision including being rude and disrespectful.

 

[DizMe]

It isn't a mandate nor enforced anything...... it just says something about you and how people perceive you. Most things in life are a personal decision including being rude and disrespectful.

My quote: There is a time and place for such things but Disneyland would be one I would consider a personal decision, not an ethical mandate.

ethical: Pertaining to or dealing with morals or the principles of morality; pertaining to right and wrong in conduct, being in accordance with the rules or standards for right conduct or practice
mandate: an authoritative order or command
In other words, an order or command regarding conduct
When you accuse people of breaking the rules of conduct according to an authority, then it is indeed an ethical mandate you are referencing. I don't happen to believe that Disneyland is a venue that requires it, but you do. I support your personal decision.

OP, I understand your question and agree with you in many ways. Kudos to you for taking the high ground!

 

[ChloroformSdxn]

This is really interesting. I'm Canadian, so while I believe there is flag etiquette (particularly around Remembrance Day and citizenship ceremonies, etc), it's not something it would ever occur to me to salute. We don't have any sort of pledge that is recited in school. My only experience with flags was when travelling with Americans and loaning them Canadian patches because depending on the current political situation, they may or may not have wanted to display something that marked them as American.

Do the rules of flag etiquette only apply to full-sized official flags, or is there something for when they're smaller or in decal form?

 

[maltdizzy]

This is really interesting. I'm Canadian, so while I believe there is flag etiquette (particularly around Remembrance Day and citizenship ceremonies, etc), it's not something it would ever occur to me to salute. We don't have any sort of pledge that is recited in school. My only experience with flags was when travelling with Americans and loaning them Canadian patches because depending on the current political situation, they may or may not have wanted to display something that marked them as American.

The school-wide Pledge of Allegiance was, like so many patriotic traditions, a by-product of WWII and Cold War paranoia. Now it's been around so long, it's engrained in the American psyche...some say it with great passion and commitment, some with apathy who repeat it as a hollow expression (it's rarely ever used beyond grade school age, so it's rare you have a children abstain because of it's disturbing brain-washing history). Similar thing with flag etiquette. Passionate people are passionate, and get flustered when others don't share their enthusiasm.

Do the rules of flag etiquette only apply to full-sized official flags, or is there something for when they're smaller or in decal form?

People argue that all the time. Indeed, very famously, American Flag lace stockings have been debated by Congress.

 

[MommyJKM]

I don't happen to believe that people must stop what they're doing if a flag goes by in Disneyland. I love my country, but I don't buy into the whole enforced patriotism game. If people wish to participate in those kinds of rituals, fine by me. I'm just not one of them. There is a time and place for such things but Disneyland would be one I would consider a personal decision, not an ethical mandate.

I'm with you DizMe! I don't know why people feel they can judge you for not participating in forced rituals. But I guess insulting people makes some feel superior.
The American flag may be special to many people but to others it's not a big deal (myself included), I wouldn't disrespect it in any way, but I'm not going to stop my day to pay attention to a military ritual regarding the flag. Just my beliefs.

 

[tarheelalum]

I'm with you DizMe! I don't know why people feel they can judge you for not participating in forced rituals. But I guess insulting people makes some feel superior.
The American flag may be special to many people but to others it's not a big deal (myself included), I wouldn't disrespect it in any way, but I'm not going to stop my day to pay attention to a military ritual regarding the flag. Just my beliefs.

A lot of people have died over the years defending that flag and your right to not to be bothered by it. Maybe you could just take a moment to think about the sacrifice they made and all of the children who grew up without fathers or the parents who forever lost their children in defense of that flag.

 

[maltdizzy]

A lot of people have died over the years defending that flag and your right to not to be bothered by it. Maybe you could just take a moment to think about the sacrifice they made and all of the children who grew up without fathers or the parents who forever lost their children in defense of that flag.

A lot of lives were also wasted needlessly because cooler heads were shouted down for not being "patriotic" enough. Some have legitimate issues with letting themselves or their children get tied up in symbolic gestures. Leave people to their own reasons and their own beliefs and stop bullying them for not sharing yours.

But...enough, this thread was going to deteriorate into politics no matter what since the very first post. Some people just can't stand to see others act differently than them.

 

[LoriLovesDisneyland]

[

A lot of people have died over the years defending that flag and your right to not to be bothered by it. Maybe you could just take a moment to think about the sacrifice they made and all of the children who grew up without fathers or the parents who forever lost their children in defense of that flag.

If we have a right "not to be bothered by it", why are you so upset when people do what is within their rights? I love my country, not a flag. Before you get all upset, I have no problem with the flag or honoring it, but I fully support a citizen's right to not care about the flag if they choose without trying to guilt them about people dying for the flag. Many people have died defending our COUNTRY, not our flag.

 

[tarheelalum]

A lot of lives were also wasted needlessly because cooler heads were shouted down for not being "patriotic" enough. Some have legitimate issues with letting themselves or their children get tied up in symbolic gestures. Leave people to their own reasons and their own beliefs and stop bullying them for not sharing yours.

But...enough, this thread was going to deteriorate into politics no matter what since the very first post. Some people just can't stand to see others act differently than them.

You have the right to turn your nose up to and look down upon those who support the Flag because of the men who died fighting for the United States. It wouldn't kill you or anybody else to show a moment of respect to those who died.

Just remember you get to choose whether or not you pay your respects because others died in service to this country.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I'm going to go ahead and move this over to our Community Board since the topic doesn't really address Disneyland planning.

 

[Sweetpea2011]

As a Canadian, the idea that a flag naturally and necessarily symbolizes dying and war over simply representing a country and its people is truly puzzling. I think a flag should represent whatever you feel. To some it indeed symbolizes sacrifice and patriotism, and to others it symbolizes something else. To me, the red maple leaf makes me proud because it symbolizes a country that I love and respect, and because to me it speaks of a cultural mosaic and (if I might say so myself!!) a fun, caring and pretty cool citizenship. So, salute or don't as you wish, but I honestly think expecting all others to conform to your particular viewpoint is an exercise in frustration.

 

[Dawnlight]

If you are civilian, to be clear, you should never salute. You should, however, remove your cover (hat), face the flag and put your right hand over your "heart" (left chest).

I respect our country and our flag- we fly it on our porch year round. I teach my children to rise for the national anthem, to stay quiet, and to cover their heart with their hand. I do, however, take issue with the part of having to remove a head covering as a sign of respect. The male members of my family cover their heads due to religious obligations, usually they wear a distinctly religious covering, but when we are in a crowded area such as Disney or other large events, they cover with a standard baseball cap. They would not remove their caps for the anthem in this case, as it would be disrespecting our religious practice (I do believe there are exceptions for those that cover for religious reasons, but not 100% certain)

I know most people would not expect a Muslim woman with a hijab to remove it during the anthem, nor a Sikh man to remove his turban, but I'm sure people would judge my family members as just being disrespectful without knowing the full story behind why they left the caps on.

 

[Maddysdaddy]

Another Canadian here.

Have to say that it never occurred to me to not stop and stand quietly while the US flag was taken down in Town Square. Sure it's not my flag, and sure I may have some disagreements with some aspects of your national policy (coughcoughgunlawscoughcough), but I am a guest in your country and will respect your flag and those members of your armed forces who have sacrificed themselves fighting for what it stands for. Just my two cents...