# Fun with flags **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 12, 2020, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-with-flags/847821 "2020-02-12T16:04:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2020, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-with-flags/847821/21 "2020-02-12T21:38:42Z")
Appreciate the responses. > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > I’m amused that the home inspector mentioned this. How did he or she do in terms of actually inspecting the building and its systems? He did a terrific job, finding several significant but correctable problems I doubt anyone else would have discovered. There was no mention of the flag “issue” in his report. As I understand it, the U.S. code regarding the flag applies to everyone, private or public. But again, there’s no federal retribution for violating flag etiquette. We have for years had an unused Kentucky state flag sitting out on the garage. Now I get to fly it proudly.\* \*if I remember correctly, it’s a blue flag with images of a frontiersman greeting a slightly more modern Kentuckian, along with the slogans “Liberty”, “Equality” and “Bourbon”. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2020, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-with-flags/847821/22 "2020-02-12T21:43:55Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > 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. Googling “downlighting for flag pole” results in a couple of options for lighting that would be above the flag and pointing down. Of course, this might require running a power line up the pole. ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2020, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-with-flags/847821/23 "2020-02-12T21:45:47Z")
> [@Gorsnak](#): > > Just fly the original 13-star flag and tell people they didn’t have electric flag lighting in the 18th century. Which is exactly why flags were traditionally lowered before sunset and raised back up at sunrise. It wasn’t okay to fly a flag in the dark back then, either. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2020, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-with-flags/847821/24 "2020-02-12T21:50:21Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Googling “downlighting for flag pole” results in a couple of options for lighting that would be above the flag and pointing down. Of course, this might require running a power line up the pole. “Might”? Who are you, Tesla? ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2020, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-with-flags/847821/25 "2020-02-12T21:54:16Z")
So long as people are displaying the flag by putting it on clothing, athletic gear and disposable packaging that they don’t burn, all of which are also a no-no, I wouldn’t worry about it too much. It’s more of a guideline. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2020, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-with-flags/847821/26 "2020-02-12T21:55:38Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > > [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > > > Googling “downlighting for flag pole” results in a couple of options for lighting that would be above the flag and pointing down. Of course, this might require running a power line up the pole. > > “Might”? Who are you, Tesla? No, one of the options I saw was solar-powered. (So the battery might not last all night.) ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2020, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-with-flags/847821/27 "2020-02-12T22:02:38Z")
> [@Bear\_Nenno](#): > > Which is exactly why flags were traditionally lowered before sunset and raised back up at sunrise. It wasn’t okay to fly a flag in the dark back then, either. Does this mean that Francis Scott Key was lying about the flag still being there? Or that British artillery was considered adequate lighting for flag etiquette? Oh hey, another possible way for the OP to light his flag! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2020, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-with-flags/847821/28 "2020-02-12T22:09:11Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > No, one of the options I saw was solar-powered. (So the battery might not last all night.) [Here](https://www.ameritexflags.com/products/solar-disk-led-flag-pole-top-light.html) is one such option. If you have a finial screwed in at the top of the flagpole, it can be used to secure some of these lighting options. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2020, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-with-flags/847821/29 "2020-02-12T23:14:49Z")
OP, what exactly did this inspector tell you? Did he say you MUST install lights? Did he threaten to write you up for some code violation? Or was he just making a casual remark? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2020, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-with-flags/847821/30 "2020-02-12T23:28:44Z")
Either illuminate it directly or take it down every evening. Anything else is rules lawyering and game playing. If the flag means anything to you, do it correctly. Otherwise take it down and fly something else. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2020, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-with-flags/847821/31 "2020-02-12T23:39:07Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Either illuminate it directly or take it down every evening. Anything else is rules lawyering and game playing. If the flag means anything to you, do it correctly. Otherwise take it down and fly something else. You can care about the flag without caring about the flag code. Why should the U.S. government have a monopoly on defining the right way to fly a flag, anyway? ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2020, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-with-flags/847821/32 "2020-02-12T23:39:16Z")
> [@Gorsnak](#): > > Does this mean that Francis Scott Key was lying about the flag still being there? Or that British artillery was considered adequate lighting for flag etiquette? > > Oh hey, another possible way for the OP to light his flag! 😛 A liar? That is probably not the best example for you to use, considering “_dawn’s_ early light” is in the very first line of the poem. The Star Spangled Banner was, in fact, raised at dawn just like I said. However, there _was_ a storm flag flying throughout the night and during the battle, so it is possible (likely) the tradition of not flying flags at night came later. I’ll give you that. ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-with-flags/847821/33 "2020-02-13T00:09:22Z")
And apparently there was an exception for Forts and ships when engaged in battle at night. > [@](#): > > When a permanent fort or a ship is engaged in battle at night, the flag is flown. (Moss, James … The United States Flag Association, Washington, D. C. 1941) ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-with-flags/847821/34 "2020-02-13T00:36:29Z")
I have a 25’ flagpole with a solar powered light at the top. Multi LED and it points down at the flag. I fly the flag 24/7. The lights do not last all night during the winter or inclement weather, but do during the summer. Best I can do. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-with-flags/847821/35 "2020-02-13T00:41:09Z")
There are [finials available with LED lights and solar panels.](https://www.google.com/search?q=flag+polefinial+LED+solar&rlz=1C1CHZL_enUS685US685&oq=flag+polefinial+LED+solar&aqs=chrome..69i57j33.17795j0j8&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8) Just screw one to the top of the pole, and it will come on automatically when it gets dark. It will likely run out of juice before the night is out, but should be enough to satisfy even the most ardent flag worshiper. ---
**Author:** ![GaryM](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garym/32/241_2.png) [@GaryM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GaryM)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-with-flags/847821/36 "2020-02-13T00:52:39Z")
Wanted to mention that if the Feds can’t prevent folks from walking upon or burning the flag, I think you’re pretty well untouchable so far as illumination goes. The type of light linked by **TruCelt** is what I use. ---
**Author:** ![UDS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecae2f/32.png) [@UDS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UDS)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-with-flags/847821/37 "2020-02-13T01:09:09Z")
> [@Gorsnak](#): > > Just fly the original 13-star flag and tell people they didn’t have electric flag lighting in the 18th century. They didn’t fly the flag all night in the 18th century either. Just think how much flag-raising and lowering work was saved when the electric light was invented! ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-with-flags/847821/38 "2020-02-13T05:44:24Z")
I picked “other advice” because I was going to suggest that you could illuminate it, but do something more moderate than the full-on spotlights. Seems others here had the same idea. > [@Gorsnak](#): > > Just fly the original 13-star flag and tell people they didn’t have electric flag lighting in the 18th century. I found this ridiculously funny. Lordy, I’m a hopeless vexillology nerd. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 6:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-with-flags/847821/39 "2020-02-13T06:30:32Z")
Since the OP is called “fun with flag **s** ”, my instinct is just to replace it with various flags. The US flag is boring, and I would only use it for special occasions. I’d probably put up the Hello Internet flag, for starters. And see if anyone around is a traitor and puts up “Flaggy Flag” instead. ---
**Author:** ![Isamu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/7c8e57/32.png) [@Isamu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isamu)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2020, 6:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-with-flags/847821/40 "2020-02-13T06:37:30Z")
Just fly an all white flag. If anyone asks tell them you gave up years ago. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-with-flags/847821.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fun-with-flags/847821.md?page=3)