<p>Some things are open to interpretation; others appear not to be:</p>
<p>Flag Etiquette
STANDARDS of RESPECT
The Flag Code, which formalizes and unifies the traditional ways in which we give respect to the flag, also contains specific instructions on how the flag is not to be used. They are: </p>
<p>The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal.
The flag should not be used as a drapery, or for covering a speakers desk, draping a platform, or for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top.
The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard
The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, fireman, policeman and members of patriotic organizations.
The flag should never have placed on it, or attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind.
The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms. To store the flag it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously. </p>
<p>The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary. </p>
<p>When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner. </p>
<p>WP; Correct me if I'm wrong, but weren't the "Founding Fathers" Jefferson et al really Deists? Either that or I've been reading the wrong History Books :-)</p>
<p>
[quote]
The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>And I am telling you that the US Navy dips the flag on a daily basis. I am sure they do it legally. Probably not necessary to pulish a caveat to the code since it only applies to Navy ships. However, most foreign merchant ships 'salute' US Navy warships by a reciprocating dipping of the ensigns. Perhaps one of our merchant mariners could tell us if US flagged vessels do the same to foreign warships.</p>
<p>Okay, let's assume right now that it is legal for USN ships to participate in these honors traditions by dipping the flag. One of the places this is done is in salute to the father of our country while passing Mt Vernon. If we are going to hold the Academy accountable for an illegial act, we will expect our officers to dip the flag to George Washington but not dip it to God. Seems like an untenable position to me.</p>
<p>Chapter 12, US Navy Regulations:</p>
<p>
[quote]
DIPPING THE NATIONAL ENSIGN
When any vessel, under the United States
registry or the registry of a nation formally
recognized by the United States government,
salutes a ship of the Navy by dipping its ensign,
it is answered dip for dip. If not already being
displayed, the national ensign is hoisted for the
purpose of answering the dip. An ensign being
displayed at half-mast is hoisted to the truck or
peak before a dip is answered.
<p>The US Flag Code is not enforceable US Law as there are no penalties, civil or criminal, for any violation. You can burn it, let it touch the ground, hang it upside down, wrap your old smelly garbage in it, use it as a rug, or "dip" it to George Washington, God, or Charles Manson - all are "legal" but not recommended.</p>
<p>Dipping as a sign of subservience to Christian God should not be recommended either. Since it's not done at any other worship service at the USNA or at any other installation, nor is it practiced anywhere in the fleet, it should be discontinued at the Academy as well. </p>
<p>The elevation of one religion over all others by an official US Government institution, especially one with members who have sworn to uphold the Constitution, should be discouraged.</p>
<p>Or start dipping it to Vishnu, Shiva, Allah, Buddha, and L Ron Hubbard and watch how quickly the practice ends..</p>
<p>I am no flag code expert [and neither is anybody else, it seems, on this forum] but the Flag Code seems to apply onlyh to Civilians.</p>
<p>The following codification of existing rules and customs pertaining to the display and use of the flag of the United States of America is established for the use of such civilians or civilian groups or organizations as may not be required to conform with regulations promulgated by one or more executive departments of the Government of the United States
4 USCA 5</p>
<p>HAving said that, there are many Regulations of departements htat have been found to be illegal.</p>
<p>Interestingly, the flag may be flown BELOW a Church pennatn. </p>
<p>No other flag or pennant should be placed above or, if on the same level, to the right of the flag of the United States of America, except during church services conducted by naval chaplains at sea, when the church pennant may be flown above the flag during church services for the personnel of the Navy
4 USCA 7</p>
<p>I don't really have a position on this issue, but...
"The flag should never have placed on it, or attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind."
I believe in the civil war military units embroidered their flags with the names of their battles and maybe some other stuff. They probably don't do this anymore so it's probably irrelevant.</p>
<p>I found this on the USNA website Religious</a> Activities
"Over the decades of our history, fighting Americans have learned by experience that there is a dimension to military leadership—both in and out of combat—that is essential to real effectiveness. This is the spiritual factor, the intangible quality we call moral courage. </p>
<p>It is this aspect of the academy’s mission that the Command Religious Program strives to fulfill: to foster spiritual growth and promote the moral development of the midshipmen within the tenants of their particular faith or beliefs."</p>
<p>
[quote]
Over the decades of our history, fighting Americans have learned by experience that there is a dimension to military leadership—both in and out of combat—that is essential to real effectiveness. This is the spiritual factor, the intangible quality we call moral courage.</p>
<p>It is this aspect of the academy’s mission that the Command Religious Program strives to fulfill: to foster spiritual growth and promote the moral development of the midshipmen within the tenants of their particular faith or beliefs.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Thank you DiamondDave for reminding us that spiritual growth is also part of the academy's mission. I also appreciate USNA69's information about Navy regs and flag protocol in today's Navy.</p>
<p>Colors in chapel, noon prayer, chaplain corps, all contribute to the spiritual growth of midshipmen regardless of their faith or denomination. Amen.</p>
<p>I think that this story is making a bigger deal than necessary.</p>
<p>However, usna09mom, the colors have nothing to do with the spiritual development; rather, it is the liturgy, chaplains, and cohession with other people of the same faith that is the real development.</p>
<p>This is not the place for your education or edification about such an important and substantial issue. Begin perhaps with the notion of "truth" vs. relativism. </p>
<p>btw, I'd have to disagree with you usna09mom. Your history books and mine are not in sync. Even Jefferson, an alleged deist, was extremely religious.</p>
<p>As USNA69 points out, US Navy ships will answer dip for dip to ships that salute the US Navy first. In that tradition, If I remember correctly, US Navy warships also dip their flag to the USS Arizona as they pass her as they enter and depart Pearl Harbor.</p>
<p>The Protestant Episcopal Church has been dipping the flag during the processional/recessional since the birth of the country (and still does). Christian religious services at USMA started out as Epsicopal and remained that way for some time. If the services at the Naval Academy started out as Episcopalian as they were for much of the 19th century at West Point, Im guessing the dipping of the flag during the services there stems from that era.</p>
<p>Delegates to the Constitutional Convention were a mixed group including many lawyers, merchants, successful farmers, and regional leaders. Most were highly educated for their time and elites when compared to the population as a whole. They were much more influenced by the Enlightenment than the Christian Bible, and in fact distanced themselves from religious agitators. As we all know freedom from religious tyranny is expressed in the First Amendment. John Hancock's father was a minister, but the son was a lawyer and rich merchant in addition to serving as governor of Massachusetts and one of the presidents of the second Continental Congress. A few like Abraham Baldwin, from Georgia, were ministers at some point in their careers, "Baldwin graduated from Yale College in 1772. Soon afterward he became a minister and a tutor at his alma mater. In 1779 he served as a chaplain in the Continental army. After the war he gave up both the ministry and academic life to take up a career in law." </p>
<p>The National Constitution Center provides delegate biographies from Carol Berkin's great book “A Brilliant Solution: Inventing the American Constitution.”</p>
<p>Dr. Berkin is frequently on the History Channel and last year when she addressed a group that I was part of she remarked on the lack of religious passion among our founding fathers. Think about it, have you ever seen a picture of Benjamin Franklin/George Washington/Patrick Henry/Thomas Jefferson with a Christian symbol?</p>
<p>jadler, colors in chapel are part of the ritual that enhance the spirtual experience.</p>
<p>Okay, first of all the 1st Amendment was added specifically to prevent the U.S. from forming a state church similar to that of the Church of England. Activists today have twisted it into meaning that our government cannot depict any aspect of the Christian faith, which last time I checked was an integral part of American hieritage. How about we start preventing politicians from placing their hand on the Bible when talking the oath, or people testifying in court doing the same? This current fiasco is overplayed. As mentioned earlier, the Protestant service is completely voluntary, and this is something that has been going on for many years with no ill effect. How many mids have complained about this so far? If the Supreme Court can rule that flag-burning is "freedom of speech" (ick), then I think that this might be considered the same. And if people really want to bring in the separation of church and state, then maybe the state should get out of the church. The American flag is dipped everyday for some purpose, whether military of symbolic, and usually when performed by the Navy it is out of dignity and respect. Let it go.</p>
<p>I'm looking forward to seeing the color guard during the Easter service in a couple of weeks. It was always so delightful to see Admiral and Mrs. Rempt in church and I miss that. Will Admiral Fowler be there? Probably not because of the colors issue. Will 15th Co. be rolling Easter eggs or is that optional/conditional too? Personally I'm against flag burning and wearing clothing items that resemble the flag because to me the flag also represents many lives of Americans sacrificed in service to our country.</p>
<p>shogun may be on to something re. the origins of the "ritual." The USNA Prot service I recall had several Episcopalian features not evident in other Prot denom services. During the 4 yrs I participated in this "ritual," I never gave its propriety any thought. I did make the connection to passing ships dipping their ensigns. It's very understated & innocuous. ...worth seeing first hand before judging it inappropriate.</p>