Buying American Flags

Buying American Flags

American flags are synonymous with the themes of patriotism, faith and strength that the United States represent all across the world. Just drive down any street and you will see homes, businesses, public offices, stadiums and so on that have hung American flags as a representation of the free country that they live in. It is quite appropriate to own and fly an American flag outside of your home, but how do you decide what kind to buy?

One thing is always the same: the design of the flag, which consists of a blue square filled with 50 white stars and a red and white striped background. Of course, the 50 stars represent each of the states in the United States. The first choice you have to make when purchasing an American flag is deciding what kind of material your flag is made out of. The two main options are cloth and nylon. Obviously, cloth flags are going to age and wear faster than a nylon or nylon blend flag, so if your flag is going to be in difficult weather and climate, nylon may be the best bet for you.The next step would be deciding how big you want your flag to be. If you're hanging it at your house, a medium sized flag would be fine, but if you're hanging one at your business, you may want to go a bit larger than you initially were planning. Once the flag is flying, it will inevitably look smaller than you initially thought. Generally, flags run from 2 feet by 3 feet to 8 feet by 12 feet, so make an educated decision. Depending how big you buy your flag, you must decide how you're going to hang it. The are plenty of options - you can pin it to the side of a building, you can fly it from an installed flagpole, you can hang it from the side of a stadium, etc.Once these decisions are made, you will be more than ready to show pride in your country publicly. As a final note, you should probably buy American flags from a company in the U.S. - it would be unpatriotic to buy from anywhere else.

Buying American Flags

Buying American Flags

Buying American Flags

Buying American Flags

Buying American Flags

Buying American Flags

Buying American Flags

Buying American Flags

Buying American Flags

Buying American Flags

Buying American Flags

Buying American Flags

Buying American Flags

Buying American Flags

Buying American Flags

Buying American Flags

Buying American Flags

Retiring American Flags

Retiring American Flags

When an American flag becomes tattered or worn, it's time to retire it. But, instead of throwing it away like any ordinary object, it needs to be disposed of properly. Generally, this is done by burning, but burning one any ordinary way can be seen as disrespectful. Instead, if an American flag of yours has become worn or damaged, save it for a flag burning ceremony. Called a Patriotic Flag Burning Ceremony, this event is held outdoors with a campfire program. One flag is used for the ceremony, but all are burned at the event.When a Patriotic Flag Burning Ceremony is held, two color guards are needed - one for flying and one for retiring it. After it is flown, the leader leads the color guards and those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance. Afterwards, the flag is ordered to be retired, in which it's lowered and folded. It, however, is folded into a traditional triangle and then folded again into a rectangle to symbolize a coffin, before it goes into the fire. Once the American flag is folded into a rectangle, the color guard comes forward and places it on the fire, and then all salute. A memorial service is held for all being retired and, after the service, the leader and one color guard remain until flag is consumed.So the American flags being burned do not fly off the fire, the fire is made from a bed of coals. Those in attendance at the ceremony, meanwhile, stand for the ceremony and then the memorial burning. During the latter part, all of the flags being retired are burned, although only one flag is actually used during the ceremony portion.In most cases, a government organization, even your local American Legion, may hold such a flag burning ceremony. If you and your neighbors have American flags that need to be retired, contact such an organization to arrange for a ceremony in your area.

Retiring American Flags

Retiring American Flags

Retiring American Flags

Retiring American Flags

Retiring American Flags

Retiring American Flags

Retiring American Flags

Retiring American Flags

Retiring American Flags

Retiring American Flags

Retiring American Flags

Retiring American Flags

Retiring American Flags

Retiring American Flags

Retiring American Flags

Retiring American Flags

Retiring American Flags

Retiring American Flags

Retiring American Flags

Retiring American Flags

Raising the American Flag

Raising the American Flag

One of the world's most iconic symbols is the American flag. In the United States of America, it is mostly seen in both commercial and residential dwellings. It is also a favorite theme for clothes, accessories, car decals and the like. All over the word, in public discourse, it is also used in reference to the US of A and its government, laws, and ideologies.

The flag of America consists of three main colors--that of red, white and blue. The alternating red and white colors go to the 13 horizontal stripes which represent the colonies of America that fought against the British monarchy and in turn became the Union's primary states. In the flag's canton is a blue rectangle which features 50 five-pointed stars that symbolize the 50 states of America. Because of its design, the American flag has earned the nickname of Stars and Stripes, and Star-Spangled Banner, among others.

One of this country's customs is to raise the flag year-round in most public places such as schools, parks, and government buildings, but it is also common to find flags proudly showcased in private residences in the US. There are also national holidays in which the American flag takes center stage, namely Veterans Day, Presidents' Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, and Memorial Day, in which small flags are placed on war memorials and on war veterans' burial grounds. During Memorial Day, the flag is also flown in half staff in memoriam of those who sacrificed their lives in behalf of this country.

Raising the American Flag

Raising the American Flag

Raising the American Flag

Raising the American Flag

Raising the American Flag

Raising the American Flag

Raising the American Flag

Raising the American Flag

Raising the American Flag

Raising the American Flag

Raising the American Flag

Raising the American Flag

Raising the American Flag

Raising the American Flag

Raising the American Flag