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”.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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?
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?
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.
There are finials available with LED lights and solar panels. 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.
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.
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.
I found this ridiculously funny. Lordy, I’m a hopeless vexillology nerd.
Since the OP is called “fun with flags”, 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.
