I nabbed this screenshot of the CNN website the other day. Is there something unorthodox about the way the American flag is sewn on the soldier's sleeve? Or has the photo been switched around?
I think they just flipped the image to put the soldier on the left side of the shot. They probably never noticed the backwards flag until the pic was already up
Your are right about the sense that something seems out of place, however, when the American Flag is placed on the the right sleeve it is placed this way to keep the stars to the front! The same idea is used when displaying the flag flat on a wall or something similar. The stars are always to appear in the upper left when being viewed (from the outside if in a window) when the flag is hung flat.
You're right - this is an excerpt from this website:
"Why is the flag sometimes backwards on the side of airplanes, buses, and military uniforms?
The flag decals have the union (the blue area with the stars) on the side closer to the front of the plane. On the plane's left, the decal shows the flag with the union at the left, as usual. On the plane's right side, the union is on the right. This is done so that the flag looks as if it is blowing in the wind created by the forward movement of the ship or airplane. You can see this on cars and trucks as well. Click to see pictures of the flag decals on Air Force 1. There are two separate flag patches in the Army inventory: the normal U.S. flag replica that is worn on the left sleeve, and what is referred to as the "reversed field" flag patch, which is worn on the right sleeve."
There are also some other interesting codes:
"(e) The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way.
(g) 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.
(i) The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. It should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown.
(k) 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. "
Looks like we've got a bunch of bumper stickers to burn, heh.
Once you know that the flag goes on uniforms "backwards," check out police and military uniforms in movies...usually they haven't even bothered to get them right.
...This is done so that the flag looks as if it is blowing in the wind created by the forward movement of the ship or airplane. You can see this on cars and trucks as well...
I JUST missed a great shot yesterday when a car with a mounted flag was stopped at a signal next to me, and the wind was blowing about 20 mph in the direction we were travelling...it looked like the car was sppeding in reverse! But, the light changed before I could get out the camera...
Thanks everyone for the helpful info. I already flipped this flag photo based on similar advice.
Funny how people want to ban flag burning when it's the only proper way to retire a flag.
Originally posted by Malokata:
You're right - this is an excerpt from this website:
"Why is the flag sometimes backwards on the side of airplanes, buses, and military uniforms?
The flag decals have the union (the blue area with the stars) on the side closer to the front of the plane. On the plane's left, the decal shows the flag with the union at the left, as usual. On the plane's right side, the union is on the right. This is done so that the flag looks as if it is blowing in the wind created by the forward movement of the ship or airplane. You can see this on cars and trucks as well. Click to see pictures of the flag decals on Air Force 1. There are two separate flag patches in the Army inventory: the normal U.S. flag replica that is worn on the left sleeve, and what is referred to as the "reversed field" flag patch, which is worn on the right sleeve."
There are also some other interesting codes:
"
(k) 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. "
Looks like we've got a bunch of bumper stickers to burn, heh.
You should have seen when they put the flag over saddams head. A commentator made a remark about it something like "oh god I hope they know what that looks like" than I had to think about for a while but it looked like the flage was upside down.
You should have seen when they put the flag over saddams head. A commentator made a remark about it something like "oh god I hope they know what that looks like" than I had to think about for a while but it looked like the flage was upside down.
I'd guess it was more the fact that it gives the wrong impression of a conquering force, when this is a liberation, right ? I doubt the people who were getting angry or upset about it were concerned about the flag being placed backwards.
