American Flag Wall of Shame

Also see: Violations in the News

Chick Fil A and U-Haul flags flying from the same staff as the U.S. Flag Submitted by William Powell (Clay) "I called them and never heard back. As of yesterday, their flag is still under the U.S. flag." "U-Haul asked them to take it down and they did for about a month. " "Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown." (Flag Code, Section 8i)

This is a screen shot from promotional videos on the History Channel for BBC's hit show Top Gear. Is there anyone you know associated with the History Channel who could intervene with or remove this image? In the least, I would nominate it for inclusion in your infamous "Wall of Shame". Submitted by Bill Jameson "The flag should not be ... allowed to touch the ground." (Flag Code, Section 7n)



Click for enlargement. Click for enlargement. These flags are flying at half staff and have been for over a week when the US flag and State of CT flag should be flying at full staff. The US flag is ripped and tattered. The flag of Japan flies from the same halyard below the US Flag. These flags and three more on the premises are all flying at half staff. They are flying on the grounds of the Granby Middle and High School complex, Granby, Connecticut. Picture credit: WeThePeopleGranby.com Submitted by Terry White "When flags of two or more nations are displayed, they are to be flown from separate staffs of the same height. The flags should be of approximately equal size. International usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace." (Flag Code, Section 7g) "The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning." (Flag Code, Section 8k) Section 7m. specifies the occasions upon which the flag may be flown at half-staff. When the US flag is at half-staff, other foreign national flags are flown at full staff alongside the US flag flag. (Reference: Department of the Army Pamphlet 600-60)

Flag hangs in the bushes at a business in Smyrna, Delaware Submitted by Pam "No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America." (Flag Code, Section 8) "The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise." (Flag Code, Section 8b)



Click pictures to see enlargements Click pictures to see enlargements In an article meant to celebrate our independence, Apartment Therapy (a home decor website) posted a picture of a couch draped with a flag, as if it's a slipcover. The flag is touching the floor and certainly shown disrespect if someone actually sits on it. In the same article they also chose to use a picture of a flag hung vertically in the wrong orientation. Submitted by Caitlin Weather "When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union should be uppermost and ... to the observer's left." (Flag Code, Section 7i) "The flag should not be ... allowed to touch the ground." (Flag Code, Section 7n) "The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery." (Flag Code, Section 8d)





New swimsuits for the 2011 summer season spotted at my local Walmart. Submitted by Walmart Shopper, Weatherford, Tx "The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery." (Flag Code, Section 8d)

US Flag with State Farm Insurance flag from the same halyard. John Kizziah State Farm Insurance office, Pensacola, Florida 32504. Submitted by Harry Arden "Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown." (Flag Code, Section 8i)

This is a photo of a USMC Color Guard from the local recruiters at a Veterans Day posting of the colors at Mt. Si High School showing the US flag on the marcher's left when it should be on the right. Submitted by "Local Veteran," Snoqualmie, WA "No other flag or pennant should be placed ... to the right of the flag of the United States of America. [The flag's own right]" (Flag Code, Section 7c)

Living on the Oregon Coast doesn't expose me to much in the way of franchise operations . . . so, when a friend and I were visiting in Tucson, a military city, we were shocked and insulted to see this McDonald's, near Craycroft Road, displaying the American flag, with their logo flag underneath, on the same pole ... clearly a violation of the Flag Code. Then, upon our return through Portland, Oregon, we stopped at the Tanasbourne Shopping Center on 185th Street, and discovered the same violation at their McDonald's, an American flag, with the McDonald's logo flag underneath, on the same pole. Perhaps this is a corporate policy, and one which needs to be halted. Please help spread the word. Submitted by Sherry L. Vachio "Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown." (Flag Code, Section 8i)

This just isn't right! Submitted by C.J. "The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery." (Flag Code, Section 8d)

This flag in Morgan Hill, CA has so deteriorated that it's difficult to even tell it's an American Flag! After pointing it out to several other customers, we all went in and asked the owner, who was in at that time, to at the very least take the flag down due to its condition. He said he would, but a month later it is still sadly flying. Submitted by T. Bischof "The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning." (Flag Code, Section 8k)

I took this picture at a Joan Shepp store in midtown Manhattan. Submitted by N.P., Philadelphia, PA "The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery." (Flag Code, Section 8d)

Colorado Motor Vehicles Italian-American plate is wrong. The American and Italian flags are reversed. Submitted by Bob Weber, Centennial, CO "The flag of the United States of America, when it is displayed with another flag against a wall from crossed staffs, should be on ... the flag's own right [viewer's left -webmaster], and its staff should be in front of the staff of the other flag." (Flag Code, Section 7d)

Hillsboro installs flag-painted fake fire hydrant as "tribute" to deceased K-9. No disrespect intended...they say. Submitted by Carl Collins "The flag of the United States is any flag of the United States, or any part thereof, made of any substance, of any size, accurate or not, that is recognized as a flag by the reasonable observer." (Flag Code, Section 3) "No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America." (Flag Code, Section 8) "The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything." (Flag Code, Section 8h)

The Fourth of July newspaper arrived on my doorstep with the advertising sticker affixed upon the image of the United States Flag. This happened city (if not area) wide according to people that I have talked to. I have received a personal apology from the publisher, and the paper printed three letters concerning the advertising sticker; however the Virginian-Pilot has made no public apology for their lack of respect. I am sure the sticker was affixed at some point in the printing process, but one would think that someone, sometime before the paper was distributed would have caught the foul-up. Submitted by J.H. Lewis, Norfolk, VA "The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature." (Flag Code, Section 8g)

I found this in a middle school, while I was judging a high school debate tournament. Karl Ortmeyer "Bunting of blue, white, and red ... should be used for covering a speaker's desk, draping the front of the platform, and for decoration in general. (Flag Code, Section 8d)





1997 Bowman International Chrome Refractors Baseball Card Set. "Never really thought about these cards until recently but they've got a couple of violations." "I don't need any credit for this and would prefer to remain an anonymous contributor." "When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union should be uppermost and to the flag's own right, that is, to the observer's left. When displayed in a window, the flag should be displayed in the same way, with the union or blue field to the left of the observer in the street." (Flag Code, Section 7i)

How much more disrespectful can FOX News get...??? Submitted by R.L., Pagosa Springs, CO "The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery." (Flag Code, Section 8d)

Seems like even in the birthplace of U.S. History, not 100 yards from the location of the "shot heard round the world", the local Historic Society still doesn't know how to hang the flag. Submitted the 4th of July, 2010, by "the faithful citizens of Lexington MA." "When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union should be uppermost and to the flag's own right, that is, to the observer's left. When displayed in a window, the flag should be displayed in the same way, with the union or blue field to the left of the observer in the street." (Flag Code, Section 7i)

Here's one for you. The stars and stripes are on the wrong side of the door. They are on the right and should be on the left, as you enter. [The governor's office in California -webmaster]. It took a Chinese national to point out to the California Highway Patrol officers "guarding" the door. Submitted by Andrew Bowden, December 17, 2008 "No other flag or pennant should be placed ... to the right of the flag of the United States of America. [The flag's own right]" (Flag Code, Section 7c)

Attached is a copy of U.S. Flag paper tissues. Submitted by Tim, Alpharetta, GA "It should not ... printed or otherwise impressed on ... anything that is designed for temporary use and discard." (Flag Code, Section 8i) "No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America." (Flag Code, Section 8) "The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything." (Flag Code, Section 8h)

I just saw this. It is called the "Flag of Honor and Heroes" and contains in small type, the names of the victims of September 11. It seems patriotic, but you shouldn't write on the flag, I was taught. JS, Kansas "The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature." (Flag Code, Section 8g)

The flag should not to be used as a "skin" on a disposable camera. This was found on sale at Sam's Club. Submitted by W.C., Vermont "The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature." (Flag Code, Section 8g) "The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything." (Flag Code, Section 8h)

This is on a business in Dallas TX, where the owner claims to be a former Marine. I have asked him on several occasions to change it. Paul Hakes "The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning." (Flag Code, Section 8k)

A golf club!? "When on the course of human events..." Submitted by Arlen, Long Island City, New York "The flag should not be ... allowed to touch the ground." (Flag Code, Section 7n) "No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America." (Flag Code, Section 8)