We’re in the process of moving into a home in Kentucky which has a towering flagpole with regulation-sized U.S. flag flying near the front entrance.
This is a nifty feature; however I was made aware by the home inspector prior to closing that we need to illuminate the flag at night (as per U.S. code).
*"§174. Time and occasions for display
(a) Display on buildings and stationary flagstaffs in open; night display
It is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed twenty-four hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.*
There are no penalties for violating the U.S. Code as pertaining to the flag, nor (as far as I can tell) state sanctions either. While the flag does look nice at night when strongly illuminated, I am not eager to install powerful LED lamps at the base to illuminate it.
According to this semi-authoritative website, Whitney Smith, a noted vexillologist (flag expert) opines that it may be sufficient to have enough ambient lighting in the area so you can see the flag’s colors, which our porch lighting accomplishes.
I do not want to be ridden out of town on a rail by a procession headed by the local American Legion post, so am hoping that Dopers can advise me on the best course of action.
I fly different flags from the wall-mounted pole next to my porch. No particular lighting used. But then, I never fly the US flag. But if I did, anyone who didn’t like the lack of lighting could go jump in a lake.
We already have too much outdoor lighting. And illumination for a flag is the worst kind for light pollution - i.e pointing directly at the sky. Don’t add to the problem. Just my opinion.
I’d think ‘if properly illuminated’ gives you a lot of wiggle room. Also, are you sure that code applies to private citizens, and not just official displays?
Why are the previous owners moving? Did they get run out of town by flag purists who were tired of them living there with their un-illuminated flag?! If so, then you best illuminate if you want a happy life. If not, then I’d venture to guess that nobody cares.
My dad (a Vietnam combat veteran, so, you know, he’s the official guide to flags or something?) flies a flag on a short metal rod that he has attached to the state’s chainlink freeway fence (probably illegal) and the only illumination is the freeway lights high above, and he never takes it down. Nobody says anything.
Use your power as buyer and have the current owners correct the situation before the sale. The sellers will most certainly cave on the request, as fighting it would look bad. If you’re lucky, they’ll just offer to knock the cost of installation off the purchase price. If they do, raise the amount by 30% and agree to it. Free money.
Just take it down at night. If there’s a Boy Scout in the neighborhood, maybe he can get a merit badge for doing Reveille and Taps ceremonies everyday, or once a week, even.
I’d take down the US flag and fly some other flag instead, perhaps a tribute to Teletubbies or something. A perk to this is you don’t have to worry about the flag suffering wear and tear or anything else that might cause it to violate the flag code.
I am under the impression that you don’t “need” to do anything; the “flag code” is more a set of recommendations than anything else.
Besides - didn’t the Supreme Court rule that at least part of the flag code was unconstitutional?
What you “can” do and what you “should” do are two different things. You “can” fly the flag with the blue part farthest away from the flagpole, but nobody actually does this. If it was me, I would probably leave it unlit unless enough people complained that it became “an issue.”
