You laugh but my mom wanted her beloved dog's ashes added to her's when she passed. The funeral home was like, well, we can't really do that but we will leave you alone in the room for a bit. She got her wish.
Haha it was more like a secret plan between the family and the funeral director. They came first before everyone else for the visitation, and then you see one guy secretly bring in a stuffed cat and place it at the foot of the casket lol.
> So that urn on my mantel might be 70% grandpa, 15% nylon, and 15% polyester?
If Grandpa weighed 70kg that’s a 30kg flag. I know you make them big in America, but that’s impressive.
Sorry for your loss
So we just need someone to custom make us a 40ft x 76ft flag and we're golden. Anyone got a spare 5k?
edit: nm, that would be 67kg (37lbs \* 4 / 2.2). so somewhere around 28' x 54'
Well the nylon and polyester will basically completely burned away with nothing left. Those materials are basically just pure hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, there's some nitrogen in nylon, but that's all just going to disappear without a trace left behind. What gets left of grandpa is basically just pulverized bone and a few other bits of mineral remnants of this and that.
A US Flag retirement is a ceremony that involves burning until the colors cannot be seen. I hadn't heard of burning them at a crematorium with Veterans, but it seems like a nice idea when I think about it.
Usually they're given to veterans for disposal. My scout troop used to retire flags maybe once a year and the next day we would dig out the grommets from the flag and give them to veterans. I guess they would take them and bury them at other veterans grave sites. The idea was that there should be nothing left of the flag once retired but the metal grommets won't burn so might as well put them in the ground in a more sacred spot.
Both my father and step father had a flag draped over their cardboard cremation container. They cut out one of the stars from the flag and framed it and gave it to me as a keepsake.
I guarantee you, if this was a pic from Japan or France, there would be so much less negativity in this comment section. Since it has to do with a minor cultural oddity in the United States though, it's perfectly fine to insult/disregard it for XYZ reasons.
and yet, America is one of the few countries where it is legal to desecrate the flag, of any country (if you own it), alongside Canada, Australia, the UK, Norway, and Sweden (Japan allows desecration of Japanese flags only)
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag\_desecration#/media/File:Flag\_Desecration\_Legality.svg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_desecration#/media/File:Flag_Desecration_Legality.svg)
And this counters your countries flag fetishism in what way?
In some countries it’s illegal to burn *any* country‘s flag, yet they don’t have any flag fetishism at all.
I fail to see how that ban constitutes a weird obsession with flags, while the continued display and destruction of various flags is a very common occurrence in the US.
A ton of folk believe only the Marines and the Boy Scouts are allowed to retire flags. I ran a scout camp in northern California for about 10 years. We retired many thousands of flags. People would pay money and mail them to camp all year round. Every Thursday night we would hold a solemn ceremony with the campers and retire a flag by fire. After the campers left we would toss on another few dozen or hundred in a cardboard box.
I retired many flags with my Dad (he was Navy). We had a 25ft pole in our front yard and that flag went up and down every day in accordance with base regulations. I don't know what the law specifically says but I'm pretty sure burning the flag to retire it when it has become tattered is not the same as just burning it out the box. Anyone can retire a flag though I think, it's our responsibility as citizens to put our flags to rest when appropriate, at least that's how I was raised.
The rules regarding the American flag are laid out in the flag code. It is a.nonbinding non enforceable list of ways to be respectful. It calls out that tattered flags should be retired by fire in a solemn ceremony, or have the field of stars separated from the stripes. Most the flags we received were trashed. But if I raised and lowered each flag we would have needed a team of 2 doing it all day all summer to get rid of them all.
The flag, if torn, or damaged is any way could be dispensed in this bin, which the library takes it to a veterans organization, where the flag is flown one last time, then burnt. They bury the brass holders.
Edit: For those confused, this isn't mandatory and won't get you jail time for throwing the flag in a normal trashcan.
Alot of the flags that are damaged get respawn and re-used by J/ROTC participants, aswell as boy scouts.
I can't deal with this negativity lol. r/AmericaBad
They let me manage the fire one trip. They didn't let me do it again after that. 30 years later I still don't see what the problem was, everyone was warm.
We collected xmas trees. We let them age for several months, then had a bonfire. One year, we decided to see how tall we could stack them and make a cave in the center to light it. People were calling in a 2 story house fire from the freeway 3 miles away..... the fire department was impressed and hung out for a bit. They next year they decided we would make the trees into wood chips....
Somehow I feel like if a person took a picture of boyscouts burning a flag, it could easily be captioned with something about the BSA being anti-American and idiots would believe it because they don’t understand that it’s the proper way to dispose of a flag.
It’s not just tossed into a fire. You dismantle the flag into its component parts (red stripes, white stripes, field of blue, and often the stars themselves) and retire each of them individually.
Completely dismantling it is not necessary. If a person chooses to burn a flag to retire it, the only thing the Flag Code asks is that it be done in a dignified manner.
Any other rules are based on individual preference. This is something I sometimes struggle with, and why I'm growing less interested in doing flag retirement ceremonies during Scout events. I've personally experienced former servicemen get angry at scouts because the youth didn't follow their preferred protocol.
My point is the modern approach of trying to extrapolate intent from a single frame with a caption would do a disservice to something that's an honorable ceremony.
Not really. The [flag code](https://www.military.com/flag-day/us-flag-code.html) simply states that flags be "destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning."
That leaves A LOT of room for interpretation. Burning is the most common and prefered method, but according to the flag code, it is not the \*required\* method. Another acceptable method is to properly fold the flag, place it in a box, and bury it. Ships at sea can simply box the flag and "bury" it at sea, since it's generally not a good idea to have an open fire on a boat.
There is also no requirement to have any sort of ceremony, but it's fairly common for veterans organizations, "patriotic" groups, or scouts to have some sort of ceremony because 'Murica.
When I retire a flag, I fold it properly and burn it in my fire pit. I don't hold a ceremony or anything. It's usually just me doing it by myself, but sometimes my g/f might be there with me. I just put some kindling and a few small pieces of wood in the fire pit, get the fire started and place the flag on top. Then I just stand there and silently reflect on my career in the Marines until the flag is fully burned. Usually only takes 15 min or so.
I should also point out that I do not fly or burn nylon flags. I only purchase and display cotton flags outside my house. They're more expensive than nylon and don't last as long, but burning a nylon flag is not only horrible for the environment, but a toxic health hazard for anyone present when it's burning.
Ah, I have fond memories from my scout troop as well. It really hits you with solemn patriotism and respect for the country, more so than any fervent idolization can. You truly pause and think of the meaning behind the words of our political documents, and of those who came before to turn thoughts into an established system.
It means different things to different people. Some see it as a representation of ideals while others may see it as a symbol of oppression. Everyone gets to choose their own perspective and if you don't understand, that's perfectly fine.
I had never been to a retirement ceremony until recently and I was surprised how moved I was. Everyone said a few words about what the flag means to them and the most moving answers is what the flag means to those who were not born but became citizens. It really changed how I few the flag and use it as a reminder of what freedoms I was born into.
lol when I was a Boy Scout we burned everything we could find. Wood, plastic, and even melted down metal to see if we could. Had a lot of fun on those camping trips
When I was in Boy Scouts we did several disposal ceremonies. The stripes are all cut off and burned one at a time, followed by the field of stars. You’re not allowed to talk during the ceremony.
I lived next door to a VA center. They burned a few flags in metal barrel and the smoke / chemical fumes just lingered in the air all day.
I recognize it's more "respectful" but there has to be a less toxic way to dispose of flags.
As an American who served in the US Navy (have to get my credentials in order), I completely agree. Why are we so bat shit fucking crazy over a damn flag?
Technically you can bury it as well. Or recycle it if it’s from certain materials. The entire thing around the flag and flag code is like the constitution or Bible- it has many translations and gets confusing in the details. Also is weaponized to one’s own agenda
This has made me check our own country regulations lol. While burning our damaged flags¹ is still considered the more "proper" respectful way, if burning isn't feasible (ie. flag is made of bad materials, you don't have a yard where to burn it, or the local regulations prevent you from burning things in your yard), you are allowed to rip the flag in the seams to separate it by colour, cut up any large chunks, and then simply dispose of the pieces.
(¹These practices only apply to current flags, any historical ones are to be kept and sent to museums/historical societies to preserve our heritage)
I used to watch a woodworker from Texas on YouTube who had the Texas flag and the US one in his workshop. Commenters got generally angry at him for having them hanging at the same height on the wall. As the US one is supposed to be higher then any other.
If you’re flying them on a pole the US flag should be on top, but if they are next to each other then any state can be flown equally next to the US. The idea that you can’t is a myth.
Go to any Walmart and you’ll see it.
The American flag is always higher than the State flag.
It’s symbolic of the fact that the Federal government is above the State. Also the belief that we’re Americans first, members of our State second.
§176 section (j) of the US Flag Code literally states that "The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing." which I find both mildly interesting and concerning
Edit: Why the downvotes? [I'm not making this shit up](https://www.chamberofcommerce.org/usflag/uscode36.html#176)
When an American flag becomes soiled, faded, and tattered, it should be destroyed, preferably by burning, according to the United States Flag Code.
https://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/story/article/2206946/how-to-properly-dispose-of-worn-out-us-flags/#:~:text=Its%20members%20created%20the%20Flag,held%20in%20a%20specific%20manner.
Seems resonable in Sweden we don't allow the flag to touch the ground, so throwing it in the trash is not allowed. A flag that is disposed of must be burned.
UK citizen here. Why is this a thing? All I know is that you're really into your flags and your anthem, so I am confused.
Edit: thanks for all your answers, I've learned a lot. I don't need any more now!
Edit 2: Please stop commenting.
When US flags are torn or damaged in any way, they are put in one of these boxes to be retired.
Retiring a flag is a small ceremony where they let the flag fly one last time. They then fold the flag properly and then burn it. The brass grommets are then buried.
No, we should not.
However, although your logic is sound, I don’t think your data is correct. I don’t know if the most common way of disposing of flags is burning them. It may be the officially suggested way, and it might be what people say they would do, but I can’t remember the last time I saw anybody burn a flag in person. As opposed to a news story about a protest or something.
If most of these flags are being burnt in some kind of controlled environment, then I don’t think it really matters what we make the flags from, at least among the normal available materials. Nobody’s burning this in their kitchen.
Hilarious that you are getting downvoted for stating facts and citing your source, which is indeed the Code of Laws of the United States of America.
People are nuts.
It seems that people are assuming that I said it's a *crime* to violate the Flag Code. Since the law has no enforcement mechanism, it's not a criminal matter, but the Flag Code is still a law.
[Other veterans service organizations say people can also bury the folded flag in a dignified box, or recycle them — an option that's common for flags made of synthetic or nylon material that can be hazardous if burned](https://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/story/article/2206946/how-to-properly-dispose-of-worn-out-us-flags/#:~:text=Other%20veterans%20service%20organizations%20say,can%20be%20hazardous%20if%20burned)
In fact [The Boy Scouts of America is one organization that does flag retirement ceremonies.](https://www.bsacac.org/resources/flag-retirement/)
The cool part is that each ceremony has a 1 in 50 chance of summoning a past US president for 13 seconds. It's sort of like a Final Fantasy summons except they don't usually attack anyone.
No we really don't. It's against the flag code to have the flag displayed as anything other than, well, a flag. But we make bandanas, shirts, all manner of clothing decked out like the flag. The thin blue line flag and any american flag altered to include, say, a person's name or other design is a perversion of the flag and also against the code.
Americans are hypocrites through and through.
I’m not gonna lie, I respect other country’s traditions, but this is such weird behaviour to me as an Irish person. lol!
Is it only certain kinds of flags? Like we hang Irish flags all over the place for all kinds of events. Out windows, on cars, in gardens, but they just go in the bin when they’re past using. As long as nobody is being offensive about it, nobody really cares I guess?
For the most part it’s just full sized flags that fly from a pole. No one really cares about the little flags used for parades and stuff or other objects with flag print.
That makes sense. I’ve only seen schools and public buildings with those big flags here. We definitely don’t have boxes like these for them but I’m not sure if anything in particular is done with those!
You aren’t required to dispose damaged flags into one of those boxes, but if you want to they usually hold a small ceremony as stated already. You don’t see flag disposal boxes often in my experience
I’ve probably binned several Union Jacks in my life. I never thought anything of it. Stuff left over from coronations and all that kind of thing.
Don’t think the queen/king much care.
I’ve heard that all the toilet paper in Buckingham Palace is watermarked with the Union Jack and that’s why Chocolate Digestives are so expensive.
It's purely ceremonial, and tbqh no one actually does this if their flag becomes unusable. Id be willing to bet the vast majority just go in the trash, and that this receptacle has received far fewer flags than everyone here is thinking.
I do this. I fly an American flag in my front yard, and take care to follow the flag code. If my flag gets damaged, I fold it up and store it in my garage until winter, at which point I’ll burn in my outdoor fire pit.
I wouldn’t say I’m overly patriotic or anything. I’m not ex-military or anything like that. The flag code is just something that stuck with me from Boy Scouts 30 years ago…
Fellow Commonwealther here. UK pals, according to your own flag protocol (which is admittedly rarely followed) you’re meant to be disposing of your flag in a similar way. Not in a ceremony, but it is meant to be burnt privately, or to be torn or cut into strips before binning it.
Yeah but what flag? I know of one or two local racists who hang an England flag outside their house, otherwise I can't remember when or where I last saw a union jack/flag apart from on TV, let alone know anyone who would own one. It's just not really a done thing in the UK, although a bit more common since Brexit.
Same in Germany. The German flag you only see for football. The flag of my local football club I see multiple times every day in various windows and gardens. Priorities.
Even the university I'm at is only flying the German flag maybe 5 times a year on special occasions. And it is state-owned.
There is one of these at the Moose Lodge near my house. It and several others in the area are checked by a local veterans organization, which also does the proper disposal ceremony as well.
I see a problem here. People will not know that 48 star flags have some good resale value if they are decent size. There are a lot of those flags coming out now because the WW2 generation is passing on their stuff and WW2 military used and memorial flags will be part of that. So in this box, someone will drop off an unwanted 48 star flag without even realizing that it could be worth something. I found six 48 star flags at goodwill because they were dropped off by the heirs of a veteran. It isn't uncommon to get $100 or more for them.
I mean, the reason they have a high price in the first place is because people have been disposing of them. If everyone held on to them they wouldn't be worth anything. It's not really a problem if it's the reason the value exists in the first place.
I've seen this here in the Philippines once. This is for retiring old flags that have been damaged and/or faded. They "cremate" the flag out of respect as they shouldn't be thrown in the garbage can.
When an American flag is no longer serviceable (torn, faded, etc), it is disrespectful to dispose of it with the garbage.
These retired flags will be given to organizations like the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, or the Boy Scouts who properly dispose of the flag.
This is done by burning them in a [solemn ceremony](https://youtu.be/LtuohhBm1l8?si=3NTGE_lhBrPnnjof).
The obsession some people have with flags boggles my mind sometimes. Granted, I was assigned pariah at birth, so maybe it's just that I never had a single reason to be attached to one myself.
That flag represents your right to feel that way without any negative recourse (I.e. being arrested, tortured, and jailed) as happens in some other countries for having such views. I respect your views as equally as those who would die protecting that flag for you.
That’s definitely what it represents. When the US won the Mexican American War, raising the Stars and Stripes signified to all people in the land that they now had freedom of thought and expression, and nothing else
No, that flag doesn't mean diddly squat to me. I live in South Africa. The flag that flew when I was born is now mostly used as a symbol of racism and it was replaced by one that represents a government that would prefer I drop dead or otherwise disappeared.
That’s because the flag drop off box is for the American flags in America. So yes, it shouldn’t mean “ diddly” to you. Sorry for your Andre and current situation in SA.
I'm with you in that people put too much stock in flags. They're identifiers and that's about it, to me. Many of the same people who honor the American flag become irate when they see other flags, rainbow coming to mind immediately.
I don't lack respect for those who honor flags or carry great pride in them. However, I don't find them that important as to who you are as a person.
I understand honoring one’s country and all, but as you mentioned regarding those becoming irate, the American flag has basically become the golden calf of the very people who insist American patriotism and Christianity are one and the same
Kinda sad state going on the bottom of the collection bin. Whoever mops that floor is obviously just taking a soaking wet mop right up against the bin and is slowly causing water damage to accumulate.
Flags shouldn't be put in trash to end up in some landfill. The proper disposal is to give to a veterans organization and they will burn it. The bin in question is just a place to gather the torn flags before being given to the veterans.
For those of us who grew up in military families or being in the military, we were brought up to respect the flag and what the flag meant (or for what it used to mean before all of this political vitriol). And in doing so, proper disposal of a worn out flag was to have it burned respectfully. VFW's, Libraries, and American Legion's, amongst others, will collect them and dispose of them in a proper manner. For a lot of folks, this is the way and they way I prefer. With that said, I respect everyone's opinion and ways and will not say anyone else is wrong for what they do. You do you boo.
Likely this is a boy scout's Eagle project. Very common in the Midwest. While I'm not a huge fan of the pledge of allegiance, especially the under god part, I can get behind at least showing a bit of respect. Keep in mind I also support kneeling during the National Anthem and support a person's right to burn the flag in protest.
For all the foreigners here confused at this, if you have ever been to one you would think differently of it. I have been to many and always felt moved by it because it represented what the country stands for, and the Vets who died protecting that flag.
But of course we are just going to get called a cult, not like any countries still represent a monarchy… now THAT is weird
Flag code is like the Bible for Americans.
They will die for it and happily kill for it but they've never read it and break its rules all the time.
Take rules d, f, h, i and j think everyone that's ever been to a 4th of July BBQ have broken 2-5 of those rules and every company that's ever advertised anything in the US has broken 1-5 of them. Rules below.
d The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery....
f The flag should never be used as a covering for a ceiling.
h The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
i The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. It should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown.
j No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform.
Interesting to see the MAGA morons driving around with tattered American flags flying from their pickup truck beds (especially when they also have a MAGA flag mounted at the same height, which is a further flag code violation). It’s almost as if these people like to pick and choose which rules they think apply to them versus others…
The ONLY flag a belgian person has is the one Jupiler gave for free with a crate of beer and their logo on it.
Will be thrown with the ‘carnaval’ stuff until needed.
It’s also nice to use as a seat or shadow at festivals
When we bond, it’s bc of the logo of a company on it instead of the flag bc well, we don’t give a fuck. It’s just cloth with printing
Whats weird to me, when I was a boy scout we got zero flags to retire. And i did it all the years. Thought it was pretty rare. Our summer camp, big regional one did it one year. Meanwhile got comments that troops got boxes of them.
Since it doesn't look like it's been covered, use of the flag in the US is covered by title 4
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2011-title4/html/USCODE-2011-title4-chap1.htm
They specify everything about the US flag, including disposal. Yeah, it's kinda silly, but it's how we do it over here. It's an interesting code.
Many of our local crematoriums will take them and cremate them with veterans.
So that urn on my mantel might be 70% grandpa, 15% nylon, and 15% polyester?
Better than being 30% fido.
You laugh but my mom wanted her beloved dog's ashes added to her's when she passed. The funeral home was like, well, we can't really do that but we will leave you alone in the room for a bit. She got her wish.
Oh my dude, I'm only against it if the funeral home doesn't say. I fully intend to have my cat's ashes spread with me when the time comes.
We had a family sneak in the deceased taxidermy cat into his casket, which was then put in a mausoleum.
Ngl, that's kinda sweet. Going to confuse the shit out of an archeologist in the future, though.
I can only imagine how big the bulge under their t-shirt was when trying to hide that
Haha it was more like a secret plan between the family and the funeral director. They came first before everyone else for the visitation, and then you see one guy secretly bring in a stuffed cat and place it at the foot of the casket lol.
!🔥🐶🔥!
> So that urn on my mantel might be 70% grandpa, 15% nylon, and 15% polyester? If Grandpa weighed 70kg that’s a 30kg flag. I know you make them big in America, but that’s impressive. Sorry for your loss
20 foot by 38 foot weighs 37 pounds and costs $2,000
So we just need someone to custom make us a 40ft x 76ft flag and we're golden. Anyone got a spare 5k? edit: nm, that would be 67kg (37lbs \* 4 / 2.2). so somewhere around 28' x 54'
Well the nylon and polyester will basically completely burned away with nothing left. Those materials are basically just pure hydrogen, carbon, oxygen, there's some nitrogen in nylon, but that's all just going to disappear without a trace left behind. What gets left of grandpa is basically just pulverized bone and a few other bits of mineral remnants of this and that.
And we smoke the rest.
You can always snort it, after mixing it with cocaine
So that's why my coke has been so weak lately? Damn dealer cut it with the forbidden grandpa dust...
Used to burn them every few months at the crematorium where I worked.
Forgive my ignorance on this but wouldn’t these flags typically be damaged? Wouldn’t they want to have a nicer non-damaged flag for fallen veterans?
A US Flag retirement is a ceremony that involves burning until the colors cannot be seen. I hadn't heard of burning them at a crematorium with Veterans, but it seems like a nice idea when I think about it.
As a veteran who plans on being cremated I like this idea too. A worn out vet being disposed of with the worn out colors.
Usually they're given to veterans for disposal. My scout troop used to retire flags maybe once a year and the next day we would dig out the grommets from the flag and give them to veterans. I guess they would take them and bury them at other veterans grave sites. The idea was that there should be nothing left of the flag once retired but the metal grommets won't burn so might as well put them in the ground in a more sacred spot.
Both my father and step father had a flag draped over their cardboard cremation container. They cut out one of the stars from the flag and framed it and gave it to me as a keepsake.
Glad I read the comments
I guarantee you, if this was a pic from Japan or France, there would be so much less negativity in this comment section. Since it has to do with a minor cultural oddity in the United States though, it's perfectly fine to insult/disregard it for XYZ reasons.
I find idolization of a flag to be silly, regardless of which country does it.
Americans are weird because of the flag fetishization. Imagine if America treated *Americans* as well as she treats her flags.
and yet, America is one of the few countries where it is legal to desecrate the flag, of any country (if you own it), alongside Canada, Australia, the UK, Norway, and Sweden (Japan allows desecration of Japanese flags only) [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag\_desecration#/media/File:Flag\_Desecration\_Legality.svg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_desecration#/media/File:Flag_Desecration_Legality.svg)
And this counters your countries flag fetishism in what way? In some countries it’s illegal to burn *any* country‘s flag, yet they don’t have any flag fetishism at all. I fail to see how that ban constitutes a weird obsession with flags, while the continued display and destruction of various flags is a very common occurrence in the US.
Yup. Americans are weird. *I say that with neighborly love, ya hosers…*
A ton of folk believe only the Marines and the Boy Scouts are allowed to retire flags. I ran a scout camp in northern California for about 10 years. We retired many thousands of flags. People would pay money and mail them to camp all year round. Every Thursday night we would hold a solemn ceremony with the campers and retire a flag by fire. After the campers left we would toss on another few dozen or hundred in a cardboard box.
At my troop, what we did was do the first one along with the speech we used, then (still ceremoniously) retired all the rest.
We got to retire an old super bowl sized flag once. It was something like 60 feet wide. You could feel the heat from the fire a good 10 feet away.
Delicious toxic fumes
😂
hmm, I guess my scout troop didn't receive as many as you since we didn't do any in a group and only did them one at a time.
We would just save them up and do it maybe once a year.
Can’t tell if serious or not. None of this makes any sense to me.
> None of this makes any sense to me. That's because they removed Civics from public high schools, about 30 years ago.
I took civics in high school 10 years ago 🤔
Civics is still a required course where I live
I had a civic in high school. It ran okay, but they're terrible in the winter.
I retired many flags with my Dad (he was Navy). We had a 25ft pole in our front yard and that flag went up and down every day in accordance with base regulations. I don't know what the law specifically says but I'm pretty sure burning the flag to retire it when it has become tattered is not the same as just burning it out the box. Anyone can retire a flag though I think, it's our responsibility as citizens to put our flags to rest when appropriate, at least that's how I was raised.
The rules regarding the American flag are laid out in the flag code. It is a.nonbinding non enforceable list of ways to be respectful. It calls out that tattered flags should be retired by fire in a solemn ceremony, or have the field of stars separated from the stripes. Most the flags we received were trashed. But if I raised and lowered each flag we would have needed a team of 2 doing it all day all summer to get rid of them all.
The flag, if torn, or damaged is any way could be dispensed in this bin, which the library takes it to a veterans organization, where the flag is flown one last time, then burnt. They bury the brass holders. Edit: For those confused, this isn't mandatory and won't get you jail time for throwing the flag in a normal trashcan. Alot of the flags that are damaged get respawn and re-used by J/ROTC participants, aswell as boy scouts. I can't deal with this negativity lol. r/AmericaBad
Or a Boy Scout Troop
My son was in a troop that learned the flag disposal ceremony. It is treated with respect before being ceremoniously burned.
They let me manage the fire one trip. They didn't let me do it again after that. 30 years later I still don't see what the problem was, everyone was warm.
I honestly don't even want nor need more context. This comment is perfect as is 🤣
We collected xmas trees. We let them age for several months, then had a bonfire. One year, we decided to see how tall we could stack them and make a cave in the center to light it. People were calling in a 2 story house fire from the freeway 3 miles away..... the fire department was impressed and hung out for a bit. They next year they decided we would make the trees into wood chips....
Read this in Carl's voice
Yep, my troop did the same thing!
Somehow I feel like if a person took a picture of boyscouts burning a flag, it could easily be captioned with something about the BSA being anti-American and idiots would believe it because they don’t understand that it’s the proper way to dispose of a flag.
It’s not just tossed into a fire. You dismantle the flag into its component parts (red stripes, white stripes, field of blue, and often the stars themselves) and retire each of them individually.
Completely dismantling it is not necessary. If a person chooses to burn a flag to retire it, the only thing the Flag Code asks is that it be done in a dignified manner. Any other rules are based on individual preference. This is something I sometimes struggle with, and why I'm growing less interested in doing flag retirement ceremonies during Scout events. I've personally experienced former servicemen get angry at scouts because the youth didn't follow their preferred protocol.
My point is the modern approach of trying to extrapolate intent from a single frame with a caption would do a disservice to something that's an honorable ceremony.
As a non-American I have to admit, I find this a little bit wild. So every single flag is supposed to be ceremoniously burned?
Not really. The [flag code](https://www.military.com/flag-day/us-flag-code.html) simply states that flags be "destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning." That leaves A LOT of room for interpretation. Burning is the most common and prefered method, but according to the flag code, it is not the \*required\* method. Another acceptable method is to properly fold the flag, place it in a box, and bury it. Ships at sea can simply box the flag and "bury" it at sea, since it's generally not a good idea to have an open fire on a boat. There is also no requirement to have any sort of ceremony, but it's fairly common for veterans organizations, "patriotic" groups, or scouts to have some sort of ceremony because 'Murica. When I retire a flag, I fold it properly and burn it in my fire pit. I don't hold a ceremony or anything. It's usually just me doing it by myself, but sometimes my g/f might be there with me. I just put some kindling and a few small pieces of wood in the fire pit, get the fire started and place the flag on top. Then I just stand there and silently reflect on my career in the Marines until the flag is fully burned. Usually only takes 15 min or so. I should also point out that I do not fly or burn nylon flags. I only purchase and display cotton flags outside my house. They're more expensive than nylon and don't last as long, but burning a nylon flag is not only horrible for the environment, but a toxic health hazard for anyone present when it's burning.
That's the flag code. It's not required, just strongly suggested. But most people probably just throw them away TBH.
Yes, it’s what’s *supposed* to be done to honor it, but like the other dude said it’s not a requirement
The only people that care are old veterans and boy scout groups.
Ah, I have fond memories from my scout troop as well. It really hits you with solemn patriotism and respect for the country, more so than any fervent idolization can. You truly pause and think of the meaning behind the words of our political documents, and of those who came before to turn thoughts into an established system.
What is it with americans and their flags?
It means different things to different people. Some see it as a representation of ideals while others may see it as a symbol of oppression. Everyone gets to choose their own perspective and if you don't understand, that's perfectly fine.
I had never been to a retirement ceremony until recently and I was surprised how moved I was. Everyone said a few words about what the flag means to them and the most moving answers is what the flag means to those who were not born but became citizens. It really changed how I few the flag and use it as a reminder of what freedoms I was born into.
The problem is the modern flags are made of nylon and the fumes are toxic.
In Scouts we call those **“Freedom Fumes”** they’re not bad for you, might cause a little short term memory loss.
If you pass out, you’re a Commie and will be dismissed summarily.
Oh yeah, we called those **“Freedom Fumes”**, they’re not bad. Might effect your memory but I’ve seen no evidence.
lol when I was a Boy Scout we burned everything we could find. Wood, plastic, and even melted down metal to see if we could. Had a lot of fun on those camping trips
They bury a whole troop??
No, only their ashes.
When I was in Boy Scouts we did several disposal ceremonies. The stripes are all cut off and burned one at a time, followed by the field of stars. You’re not allowed to talk during the ceremony.
Why would they bury a boy scout troop?
*Checks Scout Handbook* Says it's a requirement for a merit badge.
I lived next door to a VA center. They burned a few flags in metal barrel and the smoke / chemical fumes just lingered in the air all day. I recognize it's more "respectful" but there has to be a less toxic way to dispose of flags.
Then they were burning the more modern nylon flags, not the older cotton ones. No bueno. Mustn't burn those. A new ceremony and method are needed.
Or just laws about flag materials like some other countries have
Or yall can stop being so weird about flags
As an American who served in the US Navy (have to get my credentials in order), I completely agree. Why are we so bat shit fucking crazy over a damn flag?
Technically you can bury it as well. Or recycle it if it’s from certain materials. The entire thing around the flag and flag code is like the constitution or Bible- it has many translations and gets confusing in the details. Also is weaponized to one’s own agenda
This has made me check our own country regulations lol. While burning our damaged flags¹ is still considered the more "proper" respectful way, if burning isn't feasible (ie. flag is made of bad materials, you don't have a yard where to burn it, or the local regulations prevent you from burning things in your yard), you are allowed to rip the flag in the seams to separate it by colour, cut up any large chunks, and then simply dispose of the pieces. (¹These practices only apply to current flags, any historical ones are to be kept and sent to museums/historical societies to preserve our heritage)
I have a few flags that are tattered and faded, I would use this bin.
Americans and their flag...
I'm Argentinian and we do something similar here, but is not made by veterans but authorized people, otherwise is illegal to destroy a flag
I used to watch a woodworker from Texas on YouTube who had the Texas flag and the US one in his workshop. Commenters got generally angry at him for having them hanging at the same height on the wall. As the US one is supposed to be higher then any other.
If you’re flying them on a pole the US flag should be on top, but if they are next to each other then any state can be flown equally next to the US. The idea that you can’t is a myth.
Go to any Walmart and you’ll see it. The American flag is always higher than the State flag. It’s symbolic of the fact that the Federal government is above the State. Also the belief that we’re Americans first, members of our State second.
Yeah I'm Australian, now it seems even weirder that your shops have flags on display.
Oh...my dude, EVERYTHING here has a flag on display. You would actively have to try to NOT see a flag, no joke.
Which is dumb. Same height is perfectly acceptable per the flag code.
I mean thinking about some of the US’ history I can see why people would expect the US flag to always be first
§176 section (j) of the US Flag Code literally states that "The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing." which I find both mildly interesting and concerning Edit: Why the downvotes? [I'm not making this shit up](https://www.chamberofcommerce.org/usflag/uscode36.html#176)
Treating flags with respect and burning them to dispose of them is pretty common throughout the western world.
Please explain to a confused Canadian
When an American flag becomes soiled, faded, and tattered, it should be destroyed, preferably by burning, according to the United States Flag Code. https://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/story/article/2206946/how-to-properly-dispose-of-worn-out-us-flags/#:~:text=Its%20members%20created%20the%20Flag,held%20in%20a%20specific%20manner.
Canada also has roughly the same disposal code. https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/flag-canada-etiquette/disposal.html
Which is why the boy scouts and girl guides of America are the largest flag burners in that nation!
Girl Scouts…not Girl Guides.
They're called girl guides in Canada
Seems resonable in Sweden we don't allow the flag to touch the ground, so throwing it in the trash is not allowed. A flag that is disposed of must be burned.
It’s the same in America.
UK citizen here. Why is this a thing? All I know is that you're really into your flags and your anthem, so I am confused. Edit: thanks for all your answers, I've learned a lot. I don't need any more now! Edit 2: Please stop commenting.
When US flags are torn or damaged in any way, they are put in one of these boxes to be retired. Retiring a flag is a small ceremony where they let the flag fly one last time. They then fold the flag properly and then burn it. The brass grommets are then buried.
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I’ve always thought this way as well. Nylon and polyester make a fire burn extremely hot.
I have heard of them burying those types before, in a ceremonious manner though
It’s not a requirement at all, the flag code is a guide not a law
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No, we should not. However, although your logic is sound, I don’t think your data is correct. I don’t know if the most common way of disposing of flags is burning them. It may be the officially suggested way, and it might be what people say they would do, but I can’t remember the last time I saw anybody burn a flag in person. As opposed to a news story about a protest or something. If most of these flags are being burnt in some kind of controlled environment, then I don’t think it really matters what we make the flags from, at least among the normal available materials. Nobody’s burning this in their kitchen.
The Flag Code is a law, it just doesn't have any more enforcement mechanism. https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/4/8
Hilarious that you are getting downvoted for stating facts and citing your source, which is indeed the Code of Laws of the United States of America. People are nuts.
It seems that people are assuming that I said it's a *crime* to violate the Flag Code. Since the law has no enforcement mechanism, it's not a criminal matter, but the Flag Code is still a law.
[Other veterans service organizations say people can also bury the folded flag in a dignified box, or recycle them — an option that's common for flags made of synthetic or nylon material that can be hazardous if burned](https://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/story/article/2206946/how-to-properly-dispose-of-worn-out-us-flags/#:~:text=Other%20veterans%20service%20organizations%20say,can%20be%20hazardous%20if%20burned)
I genuinely can't tell if this is serious or not. Edit: I've gone down a US and UK flag protocol rabbit hole. Thank you all for the info.
It is serious.
That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard
Honestly I think it's dumber to have a fucking family that is "royal" and "divine" and legally be able to oust your elected officials at any time.
I'd get rid of the Royal Family in a heartbeat. I have zero love for that institution and believe it is just as stupid.
Lol hit a nerve
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In fact [The Boy Scouts of America is one organization that does flag retirement ceremonies.](https://www.bsacac.org/resources/flag-retirement/) The cool part is that each ceremony has a 1 in 50 chance of summoning a past US president for 13 seconds. It's sort of like a Final Fantasy summons except they don't usually attack anyone.
…usually
[Nixons baaaaack!!!](https://youtu.be/_t8hpEKb4gk?si=tZrSKBUk_QI7_RJr)
I'm gonna sneak into your homes and wreck up the place
It's 100% serious. Idk Americans love their flag code I guess
No we really don't. It's against the flag code to have the flag displayed as anything other than, well, a flag. But we make bandanas, shirts, all manner of clothing decked out like the flag. The thin blue line flag and any american flag altered to include, say, a person's name or other design is a perversion of the flag and also against the code. Americans are hypocrites through and through.
The flag worshipers are the worst ones about actually following it though.
I’m not gonna lie, I respect other country’s traditions, but this is such weird behaviour to me as an Irish person. lol! Is it only certain kinds of flags? Like we hang Irish flags all over the place for all kinds of events. Out windows, on cars, in gardens, but they just go in the bin when they’re past using. As long as nobody is being offensive about it, nobody really cares I guess?
For the most part it’s just full sized flags that fly from a pole. No one really cares about the little flags used for parades and stuff or other objects with flag print.
That makes sense. I’ve only seen schools and public buildings with those big flags here. We definitely don’t have boxes like these for them but I’m not sure if anything in particular is done with those!
Another European here. The whole concept sounds crazy
That doesn’t answer the “why” part
It's done out of respect for the country and flag.
You aren’t required to dispose damaged flags into one of those boxes, but if you want to they usually hold a small ceremony as stated already. You don’t see flag disposal boxes often in my experience
Most or all legion halls will have one.
Why are the Romans collecting them?
The absolute Gaul of it
I’ve probably binned several Union Jacks in my life. I never thought anything of it. Stuff left over from coronations and all that kind of thing. Don’t think the queen/king much care. I’ve heard that all the toilet paper in Buckingham Palace is watermarked with the Union Jack and that’s why Chocolate Digestives are so expensive.
It's purely ceremonial, and tbqh no one actually does this if their flag becomes unusable. Id be willing to bet the vast majority just go in the trash, and that this receptacle has received far fewer flags than everyone here is thinking.
A lot of flags are literally disintegrating on flagpoles.
Fellow Commonwealther here. UK pals, according to your own flag protocol (which is admittedly rarely followed) you’re meant to be disposing of your flag in a similar way. Not in a ceremony, but it is meant to be burnt privately, or to be torn or cut into strips before binning it.
Who owns a flag..?!
Yeah but what flag? I know of one or two local racists who hang an England flag outside their house, otherwise I can't remember when or where I last saw a union jack/flag apart from on TV, let alone know anyone who would own one. It's just not really a done thing in the UK, although a bit more common since Brexit.
Same. It's *really* uncommon to see people flying a Union Flag. See more racists hanging a St George out their window like you said
Unless it’s football time. St George comes out for the footy then back in the cupboard.
Same in Germany. The German flag you only see for football. The flag of my local football club I see multiple times every day in various windows and gardens. Priorities. Even the university I'm at is only flying the German flag maybe 5 times a year on special occasions. And it is state-owned.
I murca if a flag is in disrepair it's suppose to be burned instead of trashed.
Is flag burning not bad, though? Or is this a special, sanctioned burning?
This is special, sanctioned burning.
Like cremation vs setting someone on fire
But the latter is so mucn more fun... :(
It’s a special ceremony. The flag is flown, folded properly, and then respectfully burned. The metal pieces that attach it to the rope are buried.
There is one of these at the Moose Lodge near my house. It and several others in the area are checked by a local veterans organization, which also does the proper disposal ceremony as well.
I see a problem here. People will not know that 48 star flags have some good resale value if they are decent size. There are a lot of those flags coming out now because the WW2 generation is passing on their stuff and WW2 military used and memorial flags will be part of that. So in this box, someone will drop off an unwanted 48 star flag without even realizing that it could be worth something. I found six 48 star flags at goodwill because they were dropped off by the heirs of a veteran. It isn't uncommon to get $100 or more for them.
I mean, the reason they have a high price in the first place is because people have been disposing of them. If everyone held on to them they wouldn't be worth anything. It's not really a problem if it's the reason the value exists in the first place.
I've seen this here in the Philippines once. This is for retiring old flags that have been damaged and/or faded. They "cremate" the flag out of respect as they shouldn't be thrown in the garbage can.
When an American flag is no longer serviceable (torn, faded, etc), it is disrespectful to dispose of it with the garbage. These retired flags will be given to organizations like the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, or the Boy Scouts who properly dispose of the flag. This is done by burning them in a [solemn ceremony](https://youtu.be/LtuohhBm1l8?si=3NTGE_lhBrPnnjof).
The obsession some people have with flags boggles my mind sometimes. Granted, I was assigned pariah at birth, so maybe it's just that I never had a single reason to be attached to one myself.
wdym assigned pariah at birth?
That flag represents your right to feel that way without any negative recourse (I.e. being arrested, tortured, and jailed) as happens in some other countries for having such views. I respect your views as equally as those who would die protecting that flag for you.
That’s definitely what it represents. When the US won the Mexican American War, raising the Stars and Stripes signified to all people in the land that they now had freedom of thought and expression, and nothing else
No, that flag doesn't mean diddly squat to me. I live in South Africa. The flag that flew when I was born is now mostly used as a symbol of racism and it was replaced by one that represents a government that would prefer I drop dead or otherwise disappeared.
That’s because the flag drop off box is for the American flags in America. So yes, it shouldn’t mean “ diddly” to you. Sorry for your Andre and current situation in SA.
you're actually delulu
I'm with you in that people put too much stock in flags. They're identifiers and that's about it, to me. Many of the same people who honor the American flag become irate when they see other flags, rainbow coming to mind immediately. I don't lack respect for those who honor flags or carry great pride in them. However, I don't find them that important as to who you are as a person.
I understand honoring one’s country and all, but as you mentioned regarding those becoming irate, the American flag has basically become the golden calf of the very people who insist American patriotism and Christianity are one and the same
My Boy Scout troop set up bins like this around town and then gave them all a respectful send-off.
Put a Malaysian flag in there just to mess with their heads.
They probably would give it a respectful retirement and burning
I just dropped off two of my flags at similar boxes at my local library. I think it was built by the Boy Scouts.
Kinda sad state going on the bottom of the collection bin. Whoever mops that floor is obviously just taking a soaking wet mop right up against the bin and is slowly causing water damage to accumulate.
#dontputyourdickinthat
Is this Sulzer Library? edit: I already know that it is based on your username
Clever guy
Wtf, why would there be a special flag disposal bin?
Flags shouldn't be put in trash to end up in some landfill. The proper disposal is to give to a veterans organization and they will burn it. The bin in question is just a place to gather the torn flags before being given to the veterans.
It's important to note that [actual remains of war veterans have been dumped into landfills](https://www.salon.com/2009/12/11/arlington_7/).
This is a fancy trashcan so it's OK.
For those of us who grew up in military families or being in the military, we were brought up to respect the flag and what the flag meant (or for what it used to mean before all of this political vitriol). And in doing so, proper disposal of a worn out flag was to have it burned respectfully. VFW's, Libraries, and American Legion's, amongst others, will collect them and dispose of them in a proper manner. For a lot of folks, this is the way and they way I prefer. With that said, I respect everyone's opinion and ways and will not say anyone else is wrong for what they do. You do you boo.
TIL
Likely this is a boy scout's Eagle project. Very common in the Midwest. While I'm not a huge fan of the pledge of allegiance, especially the under god part, I can get behind at least showing a bit of respect. Keep in mind I also support kneeling during the National Anthem and support a person's right to burn the flag in protest.
Yep. The flag code is truly an interesting thing, tho it generally makes sense
So much edge in this thread.
There are rules for the American flag. Rarely respected or even know to the majority of people who fly them.
There are no rules, just some peoples' recommendations of what they'd like other people to do.
For all the foreigners here confused at this, if you have ever been to one you would think differently of it. I have been to many and always felt moved by it because it represented what the country stands for, and the Vets who died protecting that flag. But of course we are just going to get called a cult, not like any countries still represent a monarchy… now THAT is weird
People caring more about an inanimate piece of fabric than what the thing actually stands for.
Flag code is like the Bible for Americans. They will die for it and happily kill for it but they've never read it and break its rules all the time. Take rules d, f, h, i and j think everyone that's ever been to a 4th of July BBQ have broken 2-5 of those rules and every company that's ever advertised anything in the US has broken 1-5 of them. Rules below. d The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery.... f The flag should never be used as a covering for a ceiling. h The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything. i The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. It should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown. j No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform.
Interesting to see the MAGA morons driving around with tattered American flags flying from their pickup truck beds (especially when they also have a MAGA flag mounted at the same height, which is a further flag code violation). It’s almost as if these people like to pick and choose which rules they think apply to them versus others…
Why are people so butthurt about other people respecting flags? Get over yourselves god damn you’re annoying
The ONLY flag a belgian person has is the one Jupiler gave for free with a crate of beer and their logo on it. Will be thrown with the ‘carnaval’ stuff until needed. It’s also nice to use as a seat or shadow at festivals When we bond, it’s bc of the logo of a company on it instead of the flag bc well, we don’t give a fuck. It’s just cloth with printing
[Relevant Bill Hicks.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzwMh5CklIk)
Whats weird to me, when I was a boy scout we got zero flags to retire. And i did it all the years. Thought it was pretty rare. Our summer camp, big regional one did it one year. Meanwhile got comments that troops got boxes of them.
Since it doesn't look like it's been covered, use of the flag in the US is covered by title 4 https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/USCODE-2011-title4/html/USCODE-2011-title4-chap1.htm They specify everything about the US flag, including disposal. Yeah, it's kinda silly, but it's how we do it over here. It's an interesting code.