tattered American flag
System
5,885 Posts
This has absolutely nothing to do with HR but just wondered what you all would do. On my way to and from work for the last month, I've been driving by an extremely tattered American flag on a pole attached to a black fence. While it used to be nice and crisp many months ago, it has pretty much disintegrated - the stripes have separated and faded, and the ends break off more every day. Yet the owners of the property leave it there. You can't see the house from the road, so I can't tell if someone actually lives there ... just assuming someone does. It bothers me to see the flag left there in its tattered state - seems like desecration. I've thought about removing it but didn't want to be accused of stealing. I've thought about putting a nice note in their mailbox. I've thought about taking our flag, which is in good condition, and replacing it.
What would you do?
Christy Reeder
Website Managing Editor
[url]www.HRhero.com[/url]
What would you do?
Christy Reeder
Website Managing Editor
[url]www.HRhero.com[/url]
Comments
I think it's disrespectful to have those "car window" flags flappping furiously into shreds, too.
While I appreciate the intentions, we know where good intentions lead.
There is a large chance that the owner of the property is not familiar with the rules on flag retirement and replacement. He may be under the assumption that his grand old flag should be allowed to fly as long as the threads can hang on. We can't assume anything about his knowledge of flag etiquette or his intentions. I knew a man who during the Gulf War had a little American flag taped to his car antenna. It flew day and night and became quite tattered. He later took it off the antenna and gave it to a co-worker who had been called up. He thanked the co-worker for his service and told him the flag's history. The co-worker has it in his office to this day, still tattered, but to him, a prized posession. Whatever you decide to do may very well offend a kind and gentle person who had no idea he was perhaps offending others. Why not just salute it and drive on by. Don D.
EDIT: P.S: I was the guy who taped the flag to his antenna.
Now there's an HR task I'd much prefer to avoid. There's no end to the roles we fill in our jobs, is there!
I put a small cloth flag in a nice wood frame with glass and it hangs in my office.
I appreciate the posts in this thread that discuss the honorable way to dispose of a flag. My generation and those behind me need to be reminded of these things.
Paul
Before you jump to any conclusions, I want to add a little (true) story.
I am of the age where family members were in the Vietnam war. When my cousin was drafted he gave his Mom an American Flag and asked her to fly it right out in front, every day, so it would be the first thing he saw when he came home. He wanted her to remember the reason he needed to go. Thankfully, he did come home and the dirty, tattered, much flown flag was gratefully and properly stored. My Aunt still has it.
I do appreciate the other viewpoints on flying our country's flag. It seems there's always a perspective you didn't thing of ... which is why I posted my original question. I respect the right of others to fly the flag as they wish (now that I see that it's most likely out of respect rather than carelessness). As someone else mentioned, it is wonderful to see the flag flying, regardless. And I will follow my convictions on caring for the flag we fly at our home.
Christy Reeder
Website Managing Editor
[url]www.HRhero.com[/url]
Flowers? Flowers are always good. But I still say a picture of you in your HR Hero t-shirt by your bottle tree would be tops!
Christy Reeder
Website Managing Editor
[url]www.HRhero.com[/url]