Independence Day is almost here! Whether hosting friends and family, or just wanting to participate in patriotic neighborhood decor, most people enjoy putting out some red, white, and blue to commemorate the holiday.
Whether it’s a simple line of miniature flags leading up the sidewalk and poking out of flower pots or a full transformation with flags fashioned into swags, sashes, and bunting beneath flower boxes, railings, and porch eves, everyone has their own style. However, when decorating with the flag, there is one style that’s generally deemed unacceptable: shabby-chic.
The author is feeling patriotic this 4th of July.Photo by Emily Cotton
As with most Friday mornings, I recently found myself awaiting the opening of an estate sale. The home dated to the 1950’s and we noticed that the flag on the pole was potentially just as old. Much like any urban legend, everyone had a version of flag lore that had been told secondhand by someone’s wayward uncle, et cetera. By the time the door finally swung open, all that we had settled on was that not a one of us knew what we were talking about.
My curiosity newly unlocked, I spoke to Houston’s patron of patriots Russell Ybarra, longtime supporter of Camp Hope and founder of Gringo’s Mexican Kitchen. He was more than happy to refer me to Harvard graduate, former member of the Texas House of Representatives, current Director of Harris County Universal Services, and retired Major General Rick Noriega for official instructions on how to properly retire a flag.
Chatting over the phone, I ask Noriega if there are any official rules or protocols pertaining to the flag.
“The US Flag Code gives a full account of the description, displaying protocols, and disposal of the flag. It is a law but is mostly non-binding,” Noriega says. Light research revealed that, while codified, the Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional to receive legal punishment for mistreatment of the flag.
According to Title 4, Chapter 8 of the US Flag Code: “The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed by burning.” Noriega points out that, with the code originating in the 1960’s, it doesn’t account for plastics and synthetic fibers.
“At the end of the day, people want to do the right thing…they don’t want to throw their flags in the trash,” Noriega says. “Flags made with synthetic materials can be toxic and shouldn’t be burned. They should be folded in the traditional triangle formation and buried.”
Alternatively, there are options for people who either don’t feel comfortable with their level of fire safety training or live somewhere where arranging a ceremonial flag burning isn’t feasible.
“Perhaps the easiest way to respectfully retire a flag is to donate it to your local fire department, American Legion Post, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post, Boy Scout Troop, Girl Scout Troop, or other entities who volunteer to do this honor. It can be ceremonially burned or buried with any respectful remembrance gesture,” he says.
Once all of the sparklers have gone out, angel food cakes have disappeared, and the decorations come down after the weekend, be sure to evaluate the condition of any flags before they’re put away — they just may need replacing.
Some flags have sentimental value, and that’s another thing entirely. Big box craft stores often have things like flag boxes and frames, but they usually aren’t preservation quality, so that’s something to make sure to research if the flag is heirloom quality. As for a recommendation, The Antiquarium is very much considered the premier archival framer—you can read about them here.
Enjoy the holiday and revel in the knowledge that if flag trivia pops up over a friendly game of Scrabble this weekend, everyone is prepared!
