How do I dispose of a synthetic flag

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BarkingGhostar

Diamond Member
Nov 20, 2009
8,410
1,617
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Properly & respectfully. I get this idea of burning it or burying it but that does not seem appropriate for a flag that has some plastics in it.
Is there blood on it? Does that blood come with skin and bones and maybe a name for the corpse wrapped up in it? Just asking.
 

IBMJunkman

Senior member
May 7, 2015
955
427
136
Properly & respectfully. I get this idea of burning it or burying it but that does not seem appropriate for a flag that has some plastics in it.
From: http://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2014/09/08/retiring-worn-out-american-flags/

At the retirement ceremony, you can cut up your flag using an approved technique that doesn’t cut through the blue star field. When a flag has been cut up, it is no longer officially a flag.

Here is one method:

  1. Stretch out the corners of the flag.
  2. Cut the flag in half, vertically — do not cut into the blue star field.
  3. Place the two halves together and cut in half, horizontally.
  4. You will have four pieces of flag, one being the blue star field and the other three red and white stripes.
  5. Put the flag in a container and dispose of it properly.
 

John Connor

Lifer
Nov 30, 2012
22,757
619
121
Q: What is the proper way to dispose of my U.S. flag?
A: The U.S. Flag Code states that when a flag is in such a condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display it should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning. Many Veteran and Civic Organizations will properly dispose of a flag at no cost.

http://www.valleyforgeflag.com/44/faq.htm#J

Always buy a real ALL American Flag. Buy Valleyforge. They are on Amazon. The thought of piss ass China making our flags makes me sick! Congress should ban that crap like tomorrow!
 

Craig234

Lifer
May 1, 2006
38,548
350
126
"No country has sacrificed more for the virtue of peace than that of the U S of A."

Oh, my, that explains the Kool-Aid shortage.
 
Feb 4, 2009
35,862
17,407
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From: http://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2014/09/08/retiring-worn-out-american-flags/

At the retirement ceremony, you can cut up your flag using an approved technique that doesn’t cut through the blue star field. When a flag has been cut up, it is no longer officially a flag.

Here is one method:

  1. Stretch out the corners of the flag.
  2. Cut the flag in half, vertically — do not cut into the blue star field.
  3. Place the two halves together and cut in half, horizontally.
  4. You will have four pieces of flag, one being the blue star field and the other three red and white stripes.
  5. Put the flag in a container and dispose of it properly.

Thank you
This is useful & relevant information
 
Feb 4, 2009
35,862
17,407
136
Why does cutting up before putting it in the bin make such a difference?

Imagine if that's how we respected people!

"Yup, Jim'll be ready for the funeral in a minute, I just need to get the axe!"

A flags not a person it also suggested encapsulating the pieces so its not sitting on a pile of dog poop

People are cremated similar to the preferred flag disposal
We do load corpses up with preservatives before they go into the ground
 

Ruptga

Lifer
Aug 3, 2006
10,246
207
106
So what does chopping it up accomplish?
That makes it ok to burn it. See, once it's cut up it's not a flag anymore, so you can burn it. Granted, if you burnt it straight away it wouldn't be a flag anymore either...
 

MongGrel

Lifer
Dec 3, 2013
38,466
3,067
121
I'm "what the fucking" quite strongly at this thread.

Flag codes used to be a major deal in the US. They still are, like issues over flying a confederate flag in certain areas.

I would probably just burn a cheap flag myself, if it was worn out.

Something like my grandfathers cloth US flag from his funeral I still have a lot of reverance for.
 

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,599
1,001
126
I wonder if the people who dispose of their flags by burning even check if it's synthetic and likely giving off toxic fumes when lit up... My guess is no.

Good luck to OP. Anyone goes through your trash and finds it and it's going viral...

See, this is why I don't have a flag. You can't let it touch the ground, you can't throw it away when it is worn out, blah blah blah.

Then you see these idiots with a giant flag flying from a pole in the bed of their truck. Idiots...
 
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MongGrel

Lifer
Dec 3, 2013
38,466
3,067
121
You could always go the Stern route and make it a fashion accessory.

howard-stern-americas-got-talent-ny_4079092.jpg