Royal fans who excessively decorate their cars face prosecution if the vehicle represents a danger to other road users following the modifications (ThisIsMoneyUK)
"Royal fans run the risk of fines of £2,500, a trip to court and possible driving bans if they are too enthusiastic decorating their cars to celebrate this weekend's coronation. As King Charles III is anointed in a solemn ceremony in Westminster Abbey on Saturday, searches on Google for 'coronation decorations' have increased by 313 per cent over the past three months..." (Read More)
"Bartow County middle school student Redman Porter loves flags and creates them for fun. The City of Frankfort, Indiana, adopted a flag he designed as their own." (Watch the Video)
Flags that would and wouldn't be protected under a new Florida bill. (Fox 30)
"A Florida bill protecting homeowners’ right to fly certain flags outside of their homes cleared its second Senate committee Wednesday morning. In 2017 Action News Jax brought you the story of a homeowner in St. Johns County who was told by their homeowner’s association, they had to take down the Thin Blue Line flag displayed outside their home...." (Read More)
"Utah Gov. Spencer Cox signed legislation on Tuesday approving a new state flag, set to go into effect in March 2024. But Utah's current, or now historic, flag isn't going away entirely. In addition to signing Senate Bill 31 – which, despite some pushback and controversy prompting changes to the bill, was narrowly passed by the Utah legislature earlier this month..." (Read More)
“Réincarnation des Morts,” Myrlande Constant. (Photo: David D’Arcy)
"One of the dozen vodou flags by Myrlande Constant in the showDrapo (through March 25) atFort Gansevoortin New York City is a scene with St. Patrick, clad in green, with snakes on each side. For outsiders like myself observing Haitian art, St. Patrick is the last figure that you might expect to see in a Haitian context..." (Read More)
The state flag of Massachusetts (FlagandBanner.com)
"A local organization in Massachusetts is seeking to have the state's flag changed citing the flag's offensive imagery to indigenous individuals. "The imagery of the Massachusetts Flag and Seal - a white hand holding a Colonial sword over the head of an Indigenous person, above a Latin motto that translates: "She Seeks by the Sword a Quiet Peace under Liberty"—is seen by many as a symbol of violence against Indigenous people, and a memorial to the violent colonization of their homelands," the organization, Change the Mass Flag, says on their website..." (Read More)
A U.S. Navy Leap Frog parachutes into Cheyenne Frontier Days Arena with an American flag, July 23, 2022, in Cheyenne, Wyo. A memo issued Feb. 10, 2023, from the Defense Department’s public affairs office is prohibiting the use by service members of giant U.S. flags during sporting events and parachute jumps. (Sarah Post/U.S. Air Force)
"The Defense Department has a message for the service members being cheered on as they unfurl giant American flags horizontally at the Super Bowl and other major events: You're not following the rules. In a Feb. 10 memo to its public affairs offices, the department said that having service members carry the U.S. flag horizontally or land it on the ground after a parachute jump is no longer acceptable..." (Read More)
Protesters painted a giant Ukrainian flag in front of Russia's embassy in London on Thursday, ahead of the one-year mark of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.(CBS News)
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders speaks before signing House Bill 1023, which requires flags purchased with public funds to be made in the United States, Thursday at the state Capitol in Little Rock. (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette/Staci Vandagriff)
"Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Thursday signed a bill into law that requires all state and national flags purchased with public funds in Arkansas to be made and manufactured in the United States. House Bill 1023, sponsored by Jack Fortner, R-Yellville, applies to purchases made by public entities, including state and local government agencies, courts and school districts. "I don't think there's any Arkansan who doesn't get a sense of pride or excitement when they see both the Arkansas flag and certainly the American flag," Sanders said before signing the bill..." (Read More)
Louisiana State Highway 1 is seen from a Blackhawk helicopter above Grand Isle, La., on July 27, 2010. According to a federal lawsuit filed Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023, the Louisiana resort town of Grand Isle is trying to suppress free speech with an ordinance aimed at stopping a contractor from flying flags emblazoned with vulgar insults aimed at President Joe Biden and his supporters. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)
"A Louisiana resort town is trying to suppress free speech with an ordinance aimed at stopping a contractor from flying flags emblazoned with vulgar insults aimed at President Joe Biden and his supporters, according to a federal lawsuit filed Tuesday. The lawsuit against the barrier island town of Grand Isle says contractor Ross Brunet of Cut Off, Louisiana, works on the island regularly and has repeated flown three flags from his truck, according to court documents. One promoted breast cancer awareness. Two bore vulgarities aimed at Biden and people who voted for him..." (Read More)
The FlagandBanner.com building in downtown Little Rock (KARK)
"A bill that would require any flags bought by Arkansas taxpayer money to be made in America passed a House committee on Wednesday. The bill's sponsor said he anticipates easy passage in both chambers when the time comes." (Watch Video)
KARK reporter Andrew Epperson interviews FlagandBanner.com President Kerry McCoy (TJ McDaniel, FlagandBanner.com media)
"In response to AR House Bill 1023, a bill that would require all flags purchased by state agencies to be made or manufactured in America, Kerry McCoy, President and Founder of FlagandBanner.com, has weighed in with her opinion on the bill. While speaking with Andrew Epperson of KARK 4 News this afternoon, Kerry had this to say..." (Read More)
The American flag flying on a flagpole (FlagandBanner.com)
House Republicans this week introduced legislation that would prohibit flags other than the American flag from being flown over U.S. diplomatic and consular posts, after the Biden administration allowed pride flags and Black Lives Matter flags to be flown from U.S. embassies. The Old Glory Only Act, from Rep. Jeff Duncan of South Carolina, is aimed at pushing back at what Republicans say is the politicization of U.S. embassies by the Biden administration..." (Read More)
Stoughton High School students protest against the superintendent's policy banning "political" flags in classrooms, on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. (Marc Vasconcellos/The Enteprise)
"Tensions rose at a Stoughton School Committee meeting Tuesday night as students, parents, teachers and community members gathered outside the school district's administrative building to protest the superintendent's policy banning "political" flags, including the Black Lives Matter and LGBTQ+ Pride flags, from classrooms to keep them politically neutral..." (Read More)
"Israel’s national security minister has ordered police to ban Palestinian flags from public places in the latest crackdown by the country’s new hardline government. Itamar Ben-Gvir’s order follows a series of other punitive steps against the Palestinians since taking office late last month..." (Read More)
A Twitter poll contest is underway to name the best North American city flag. (@urbanlifesigns)
"Dowagiac’s new city flag is being recognized for its design as part of a nationwide poll. The flag is in contention for the 2022 Urban Life Signs North American City Flag Tournament, an expansive Twitter poll aiming to find the best city flag in North America. The contest is the brainchild of San Francisco city planner Brian Stokle..." (Read More)
Video obtained by Eyewitness News shows a man approaching a home and grabbing an American flag that was anchored out front. He was seen setting it on fire. (ABC 7)
"The man accused of setting fire to American flags that were on display at several homes in Long Beach has been identified and remains in jail on $3.25 million bail..." (Read More)
The proposed new Utah state flag, a design approved by the Utah State Flag Task Force and announced on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2022. (Utah Department of Cultural & Community Engagement)
"A beehive and a mountain range are the prominent features of the design a state task force is recommending to be the new Utah state flag. The final design, announced Tuesday by the Utah State Flag Task Force, is a combination of two of the top five finalists, submitted by Mark Brooks of Bountiful and Sarina Ehrgott of South Jordan..." (Read More)
A school official at Trinity College took down two American flags from a college dorm window last week despite leaving other flags up. (Fox News)
"Trinity College in Connecticut forcibly removed two variations of the American flag from a dormitory window last week despite allowing other flags, like the pride flag, to remain for days after the incident. Roommates Finn McCole and Lucas Turco spoke to Fox News Digital about the incident, which was caught on video andfirst reported by Libs of TikTok. McCole said the flags were put up on Wednesday night and by the next day the college administration came to take down the flags..." (Read More)
Migrants carrying large American flag try to cross border (KTSM)
"On October 31, around 12:20 p.m. a group of migrants marched across the Rio Grande from Juarez to El Paso carrying flags. U.S. Customs and Border Protection says an agent was assaulted with a flag pole and agents then initiated crowd control measures. “These measures included the use of the authorized less-lethal force pepper ball launching system” said part of a statement from U.S. Customs and Border Protection following the incident..." (Read More)
The Emerald Cove Middle School is being sued by a father over flags in the classroom (ABC WPBF 25)
"Frank Deliu’s 12-year-old son came home from Emerald Cove Middle School last month with news that, to his father, was disturbing. '[He] advised that his computer science teacher had put up a couple of gay pride flags in his classroom, somewhere on the wall,' said Deliu, an attorney who is from New Zealand, but not yet licensed to practice in Florida..." (Read More)
Chequered flag at Red Bull Ring, Austria 2020 Credit: Alamy
"When Formula 1 drivers are out on track and in the heat of battle, the visual aid of a flag is vital, its design making a situation clear, whether it be making an order to a driver, giving a warning of a hazard, letting them know the condition of the track or informing of the status of the session which they are competing in. It is not always easy to figure out what each different flag means, especially since some are more common than others, so we have put together this guide to help you recognise the different Formula 1 flags and what they are signalling..." (Read More)
Pictured above placing the purple flags are SAF Program Specialist Sage Chase and SAF Advocate Laura Robinson (Oswego County Today)
"In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Oswego Health joins Oswego County Opportunities (OCO) SAF program in raising awareness of domestic violence in Oswego County. Oswego Health is hosting a display of purple flags that symbolize and honor the more than 500 survivors of domestic violence that received services from SAF in 2021..." (Read More)
The Cheney Police Department is requesting the public’s help in resolving Incident #1-22-000928, involving a possible Hate Crime, which is a felony under RCW 9A.36.080. (Images: Cheney Police Department)
"Suspected thieves keep sneaking onto a Washington woman’s porch and tearing down banners and flags showing support for various causes, including Pride, Black Lives Matter and reproductive rights. It’s happened four times in five months, authorities say. Now Rebecca Long is turning it into an opportunity to make a stronger statement..." (Read More)
The Avenue of Flags was erected in Cooma in 1959 to mark the 10th anniversary of the start of the Snowy Hydro Scheme construction. (ABC South East NSW: Adriane Reardon)
"A New South Wales council is set to replace an apartheid-era South African flag after community backlash and pleas from the country's officials. The flag has flown in Cooma since 1959, along with nearly 30 others in the Avenue of Flags, which recognises the nationalities of those who worked on the Snowy Hydro Scheme...." (Read More)
A Nazi flag flies outside a Florence business center in the late morning of Sept. 22, 2022. (Photo Provided By Patrick Meade.)
"Florence Police say a man who flew a Nazi flag outside a business center last Thursday acted alone, and without anyone’s permission or consent. Meade tells KLCC that he was driving by and spotted the man, with an American flag draped over his shoulder, and hoisting a red flag with a swastika in its place...." (Read More)
Woman captured on film removing Latin American flags from elementary school flagpole during Hispanic Heritage Month (Credit: theblackbayarea)
"A video posted to social media shows a woman pulling down the flags of several Latin American countries outside an Oakland school in 'a hostile act,' district officials said. The video, which was posted to Instagram on Sunday by a community organization calledthe Black Bay Area, opens with the woman pulling on a rope attached to a flag pole outside Havenscourt Campus in East Oakland...." (Read More)
John with one of the patriotic banners in Farnham, Surrey (Credit: Oliver Dixon)
"A ROYAL fan who celebrated the Queen's Platinum Jubilee by flying two Union Jacks outside his house is fuming after being told to pull them down following her death. John Broadhead said the council's order is 'downright disrespectful' during the national period of mourning - and he has vowed to keep the flags in prime position..." (Read More)
Community leaders say they are 'appalled' that someone could commit such a crime (Credit: BPM Media)
"Community leaders have been left feeling "appalled" after thieves stole a Union Flag flying at half-mast the day after the Queen died. The flag, outside the main gate at Queen's Park in Longton was lowered following the death of the Queen last Thursday. On Friday night the flag was removed from the flagpole. Fortunately, a replacement flag was provided by a local resident and was put up on Sunday morning, before later being taken to the cenotaph for a memorial service. People in the area believe the person or people responsible should be 'thoroughly ashamed of themselves'...." (Read More)
Flags shown flying half staff at the White House (Associated Press/Gemunu Amarasinghe)
"If you walk by a federal government building between now and next Monday evening, you’ll see U.S. flags flying at half-staff to honor Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-serving monarch who passed away on Thursday at the age of 96. Presidents regularly order flags to be flown at half-staff to mark certain holidays and the mourning of government officials, but President Biden last week made the rare move of bestowing the honor upon a foreign dignitary..." (Read More)
Russia has removed the Polish flag from a memorial in the Katyn Forest. (Shutterstock)
"Russian authorities have removed a Polish flag from a memorial in the Katyn Forest marking the area where the mass killings of Polish officers by Soviet forces took place in April-May 1940. Local officials on June 25 confirmed that the flag had been removed amid tensions between Russia and Poland, which has vocally backed Kyiv and provided assistance following the Kremlin’s decision to invade Ukraine..." (Read More)
Ukraine flags line State Street in Chicago, IL. (CBS News)
"The Chicago Loop Alliance put up 152 Ukrainian flags on State Street in honor of Ukrainian Independence Day Wednesday. "This is a way for us to celebrate Ukraine and all of the hardship they're going through and celebrate the preservice that they've shown," President and CEO of the Chicago Loop Alliance Michael Edwards said...." (Read More)
Video of the incident where a fan was asked to remove her flag was posted on Twitter (@BenRothenberg)
"The size of the Ukraine flag that a fan had draped around her during a match at the Cincinnati Open on Monday was the reason she was asked to remove it from the grounds, tournament officials told Reuters on Tuesday...." (Read More)
A man holds a flag and listens to a speaker during a rally at South Carolina's Statehouse on Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, in Columbia, S.C. (Meg Kinnard/AP)
"When Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis recently tweeted an image of what he said was a new state license plate featuring a coiled rattlesnake and the words "Don't Tread on Me," he said it sends a "clear message to out-of-state cars."..." (Read More)
Taborian Hall is home to FlagandBanner.com and the Dreamland Ballroom (Photo: Ryan Parker)
"Dreamland stopped hosting events more than five decades ago, but the hall’s current owner, Kerry McCoy, hopes to bring it back to life by fall 2023 to become a home to weddings, dance events and concerts again. Working on the project since 2009, Kerry McCoy is building upon her extensive renovations of the hall’s bottom two floors, which now house her multi-business empire, Kerry McCoy Enterprises..." (Read More)
Nazi supporters outside the Talking Points USA student meeting in Tampa on 7/23/2022. Photo by: Florida Holocaust Museum
"As young conservatives met inside the Tampa Convention Center, a small group of Nazi supporters showed up outside, holding up racist imagery and shouting racial epithets at passersby. The group held up a red Nazi swastika flag, one with the SS logo on it, a Florida state flag, and other signs, including anti-semitic images on posters..." (Read More)
The Village of Zermatt projects flags from around the world on the side of the Matterhorn (Image @zermatt.matterhorn)
"The Matterhorn is a sight to behold all on its own, with its near-symmetrical pyramid peak jutting out from the earth. But when the village of Zermatt at the foot of the mountain projects flags from countries around the world onto its snowy slopes, the effect is breathtaking." (Read More)
Some of the 5,703 Utah state flag designs posted to the walls of the Utah office building in Millcreek on Thursday. The state will narrow the field down to about 20 designed by August as it searches for a new state flag. (Photo: Carter Williams, KSL.com)
"Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson strolled down a hallway filled top to bottom withUtah flag designsThursday when one caught her eye, forcing her to crouch down to get a better view. It was a blue outline of the famous Delicate Arch at Arches National Park pictured underneath an orange sun with three orange lines in the space below the famous rock that made the shape of a beehive. Minutes later, when Hendersen found Utah Department of Heritage and Arts executive director Jill Love, she directed Love's attention to this design." (Read More)
New WA State Flag Design created by Bradley James Lockhart (Kickstarter)
"A Bellingham man is on a mission to replace the state flag of Washington with a more contemporary and inspiring design. Graphic designer Bradley James Lockhart hopes next year’s centennial of the current state flag may become an occasion to reconsider the design." (Read More)
Kerry McCoy, Founder and President of FlagandBanner.com, on Fox 16
"Most of us grew up reciting the pledge of allegiance at school. Now, it only seems appropriate to do it on Flag day. "Whenever there’s something discerning Americans come together under the flag, and they start waving the flag," President ofFlagandBanner.comKerry McCoy said. During this holiday it’s another reminder of our country’s flag’s importance." (Read More)
Kerry McCoy, Founder and President of FlagandBanner.com
"Kerry McCoy, Founder and President, is celebrating Flag Day by handing out free miniature American stick flags. Drive by the Arkansas Flag and Banner store located at 800 West 9th Street in downtown Little Rock from 7 am to 9 am and from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm on June 14th, 2022 to get your free flag." (Read More)
FILE - The Cherokee Nation flag flies in Tahlequah, Okla., Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019. (KTUL photo)
"The Cherokee Nation will remove Oklahoma state flags from display unless it hosts an event with a state dignitary or to honor service in the Oklahoma National Guard. Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. signed an order last week that only the flags of the Cherokee Nation and United States should be displayed on a regular basis on tribal property." (Read More)
Gov. Doug Ducey signed a law that expands what flags can be flown in HOA communities but some Arizonans aren't satisfied with the new list. (AZFamily.com)
"Thanks to Gov. Ducey signing HB 2010 on Monday, Arizonans living in HOA communities will soon get the chance to fly a wider variety of flags on their property. Flags supporting first responders, law enforcement, and the military were included in the bill. But other popular flags, like pride flags and BLM flags, remain subject to HOA approval." (Read More)
Ten scorched rainbow flags were discovered outside a Corsicana home (NBCDFW 5)
"An investigation is underway into who scorched nearly a dozen pride flags outside a home in Corsicana. Corsicana Police Chief Robert Johnson said it happened between 12:30 a.m. and 5 a.m. the morning of June 2. It was hours after Terry Garner and Keith Dowler displayed them in their front yard for Pride Month, which began June 1. The couple was vacationing with their daughter in east Texas when they got a call from the police and rushed home. There, they discovered what a neighbor had earlier in the day: 10 Pride flags laying on the ground burned." (Read More)
The National Guard museum unveils the '206th Coast Artillery's' colors. The 206th was an Arkansas National Guard Unit that was attacked by the Japanese in WWII. (THV11)
Almost a dozen people living in the Cumberland Crossing neighborhood have put up police flags since last week. (WBNS 10)
"As the sun gave way to Friday evening shadows over Cumberland Crossing you could hear it coming. On his front porch with his wife Belinda, Tom Disario sat anxiously until just before 8:00 p.m. when the sound of law enforcement sirens drove right past his front door. A caravan of about 20 cruisers from different Licking County law enforcement agencies honored fallen officers. It was an act of gratitude for the Disarios, whose son, Kirkersville Police Chief Steven Eric Disario, died five years ago in the line of duty." (Read More)
Dana White confirms UFC fighters are no longer allowed to walkout or celebrate with the flag of their countries. (UFC)
"Brown pointed out something that had been missing from all the UFC 274 “Prelims” undercard fights: a distinct lack of flags being hoisted up by fighters before and after their bouts. No more flags during walkouts, no more flags in the cage. A closer look through the official UFC photos from the event showed the promotion is no longer doing fighter portraits with flags, either." (Read More)
The Raven Hall motorcycle riding club hung flags and banners on the light poles to honor veterans on the Armed Forces Memorial Bridge in Polson this morning. Photo: Russell Harbin
"A motorcycle riding club in Polson helped purchased flags and banners to honor armed forces on the Armed Forces Memorial Bridge. Today, Raven Hall motorcycle riding club put up three American flags and six flags representing each armed force on the bridge's light poles." (Read More)
Stop Antisemitism, an organization dedicated to advocating against Antisemitism in the United States, posted a video on Instagram of the Nazis. At least two of the people were holding the Nazi flag. (stop_antisemitism)
"Nazis gathered outside an entrance to Walt Disney World yesterday, flying swastika flags and yelling at guests through a megaphone." (Read More)
Pictured is one of a number of flags The Satanic Temple sells on its website. The Satanic Temple is requesting that Boston fly one of its flags following a Supreme Court ruling this week. Its request did not specify which it would use. (CNN)
"The Satanic Temple in Massachusetts is requesting that Boston fly its flag, after the Supreme Court ruled this week that the city had violated the First Amendment rights of a Christian group when it denied them flying their flag outside of City Hall. According to a copy of the request tweeted by The Satanic Temple, the group is asking Boston to fly the flag for "Satanic Appreciation Week" on July 23-29. The Satanic Temple said its request was in response to the recent ruling." (Read More)
A Buffalo, Minn., property owner flew this flag on his property in 2021 (Jay Johnson)
"The Minnesota Court of Appeals said Monday that a Wright County man was denied his free speech rights when he was fined for flying a huge Donald Trump flag from atop a 150-foot-tall crane. The court reversed a finding by the Buffalo City Council, which had said in spring 2021 that Jay A. Johnson's 30- by 50-foot flag that read "TRUMP 2020 Keep America Great" violated the sign ordinance for its excessive size and being installed on property without a permit." (Read More)
"The city of Boston violated the First Amendment when it refused to fly an outside group's Christian flag in front of City Hall, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled Monday. In 2017, the city denied a request to fly the Christian flag outside City Hall on Constitution Day, saying flying the flag would be an unconstitutional endorsement of religion." (Read More)
With the application of the new 2020 standard, some flags of supervised bathing areas are changing. (@Sdis_22)
"France has introduced an overhaul of the safety flags on its beaches, bringing it more into line with other European countries in time for the summer season." (Read More)
Kate Rybak flys an alternate Russian flag, used by anti-Putin organizers, underneath the Russian flag at 20th and Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia on Thursday, April 21, 2022. (HEATHER KHALIFA / Philadelphia Inquirer)
"If Kate Rybak’s petition succeeds, Philadelphians can stop stealing the Russian flag from its spot on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. They’ve made off with it twice in the last six weeks. And vandalized the flag of Russia’s war ally, Belarus. Now Rybak and a group of Russian- and Ukrainian-American allies are formally asking Philadelphia city officials to remove the Russian banner from among the proud rows of world flags that line the promenade." (Read More)
Ukraine flags flying under US flags in Montclair (Jerry Bernini)
"I have already contacted Montclair code enforcement as well as the offending store owner about this issue, but I thought I should communicate with the Montclair Local as well. I refer here to the very prominent display of a Ukrainian flag below the U.S. flag (on the same flagpole) above the Anthropologie retail space." (Read More)
Postal Service Releases Flags on Barn Stamps (USPS)
"Today, the Postal Service issued four new Presorted Standard stamps featuring patriotic rural scenes. These Flags on Barns stamps are intended for business mail and are sold in self-adhesive coils of 3,000 and 10,000. The flag is a symbol of endurance and hope, and barns reflect farming culture that allowed the country to grow and thrive. Together, these two iconic images depict the best of rural America." (Read More)
The "Flag Lady" was allowed to put up a booth of Confederate flags and flags supporting Donald Trump at a Woolmarket Elementary event. Alexis Weathersby/Facebook
"A booth displaying and selling Confederate flags and Donald Trump flags at a Woolmarket Elementary School event caused controversy and uproar among some within the community. On April 2, the school’s PTO hosted a fair with various vendors, one of whom is known as the "Flag Lady." She had various flags for sale at her booth, including flags that support Donald Trump, the old Mississippi state flag and rebel flags." (Read More)
Photo of couple draped in Russian and Ukrainian flags has circulated online since 2019 (AFP)
"A photo of a couple embracing while draped in both the Russian and Ukrainian flags has circulated online after Moscow's invasion of its pro-Western neighbour alongside a claim it shows "love during [the] war". The image -- which was shared repeatedly in posts linking it to the war in Ukraine -- has circulated in reports since 2019 about a couple embracing at a concert in Poland." (Read More)
"Flag emoji have been with us for nearly as long as we’ve had emoji on our cell phones. Originally, there were only 10 flags to choose from, a far cry from the bounty of flags available to us today — everything from Andorra to Zimbabwe. But all good things must come to an and, and it appears that the all-you-can-wave flag buffet will soon be closed." (Read More)
Flags of Birmingham designed by Andy Slater. (Image: Andy Slater)
"A man has spent months researching and designing flags for all the neighbourhoods in Birmingham. Over the past year, Andy Slater has created more than 100 flags for areas across the city and the Black Country. The 36-year-old, from Bearwood, said the design of each flag considered the region's local history, place name, local landmarks, natural features and even sports teams. Mr Slater, a biodiversity information officer at The Wildlife Trust, said he wanted the flags to "represent a community." (Read More)
A Ukraine flag flies in the Argenta Square in North Little Rock, AR / Fox 16
"People driving down Main Street in North Little Rock will see a blue and yellow flag waving high in the sky. A former marine hung it this week to show solidarity with Ukraine. Colin Gorman is the managing partner at EGP Wealth Management in North Little Rock. Previously, he served in 2003 as a marine in Iraq." (Read More)
Antiwar demonstrators outside the White House on Sunday protested Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.Credit...Shuran Huang for The New York Times
"Flag manufacturers in the United States are cutting and sewing blue and yellow fabric as fast as possible to keep up with the surge in demand for the flag of Ukraine since the country was invaded by Russia last week." (Read More)
Kerry McCoy speaks on the increased demand for Ukraine flags / THV 11
"As the war in Ukraine continues, people all over the world are looking for ways to show their support. An Arkansas flag company is seeing the effects of that. Little Rock-based FlagandBanner.com has seen demand for the Ukrainian flag soar since the war with Russia began, according to the company's president, Kerry McCoy." (Read More)
Kerry McCoy speaks on the increased demand for Ukraine flags / KATV
"As the world keeps its eye on theconflict in Ukraine, Arkansans are showing their support by flying their national flag. So much that the demand for flags has overwhelmed a local company. "I sell a couple a year in Little Rock, and now I'm selling 30 a day," said Kerry McCoy, president of Arkansas Flag and Banner." (Read More)
People are showing support for Ukraine throughout D.C. / News4 Washington D.C.
"Aspeople in the D.C. area and across the country express support for Ukraineamid Russia’s deadly invasion, the District’s mayor ordered the display of Ukrainian flags along Pennsylvania Avenue. Crews hung the flags Tuesday morning between the White House and the U.S. Capitol, hours before President Joe Biden’s first State of the Union address." (Read More)
Ukraine supporters march through the streets of New York with flags and signs on February 24. / John Lamparski/NurPhoto/Associated Press
"As theRussian invasion of Ukrainecontinues to shock the world, people all over the planet are watching in horror and disbelief.
Rallies, vigils and prayer meetings are being held across the globe in support of Ukraine. Many of those attending have personal or family ties to the country. And they're asking world leaders to stop Russia's attack." (Read More)
People gather along I-40 to show their support for truck drivers as the People's Convoy passes through Yukon, Okla. on their way to Washington D.C. on Sunday, Feb. 27, 2022. (CHRIS LANDSBERGER/THE OKLAHOMAN)
"A group of truckers calling itself “The People’s Convoy” protested pandemic-era mandates Sunday as the group made its way through Oklahoma and past supporters waving American flags on overpasses and from the side of the road." (Read More)
The state flag, U.S. flag and flag of the city of North Charleston fly outside of North Charleston City Hall. (Photo/Ryan Johnson/City of North Charleston)
"North Charleston has no shortage of talented artists and city Mayor Keith Summey is calling on creative minds for help. In honor of North Charleston’s 50th anniversary this year, the mayor seeks to redesign the city flag, which Summey said is complex and lacks real connection to the community." (Read More)
A Patriote flag with a gnome on it, seen in Ottawa, is a symbol of the Quebec-based anti-COVID restriction group Les Farfadaas (CBC)
"Thousands of people have taken to the streets in the nation's capital and other cities across Canada over the last three weeks to protest vaccine mandates, pandemic restrictions and lockdowns. While many protesters have been carrying the Canadian flag, some have been waving flags that are less recognizable." (Read More)
PHOTO: Commonwealth of Virginia [Public domain] / Wikimedia Commons
"A curious chronicle of peculiar pennants. Here’s a piece of minutiae for all you trivia buffs: the study of flags is calledvexillology, from the Latin wordvexillum, a banner carried by ancient Roman cavalry." (Read More)
"You may have noticed Canadian flags hanging over the I-89 overpass in South Burlington this week. Since Sunday, one Grand Isle man has been on the Exit 14 overpass standing in solidarity with truckers protesting a vaccine mandate in Ottawa. He only identified himself as Steve." (Read More)
Rainbow Pride flags are not covered under a bill that would prevent HOAs in Arizona from restricting flags in their communities that support first responders. Charlie Nguyen
"Calling it a matter of free expression, a House panel voted Wednesday to give residents of homeowner associations and condos the right to fly flags supporting first responders.
But don’t even think about hoisting a “gay pride” flag — or any other flag that could be considered a matter of personal beliefs. That right would not be guaranteed under HB 2010." (Read More)
‘Free the flag’: on Monday the government announced a $20m deal to assume copyright of the Aboriginal flag design from Luritja artist Harold Thomas. Photograph: Bianca de Marchi/AAP
"The federal government’s announcement that it has “freed” the Aboriginal flag is misleading and has been seriously misinterpreted, according to the company which still holds the exclusive licence to make Aboriginal flags for sale. "All is not what it appears,” according to Carroll & Richardson Flagworld, which is challenging reports about the government’s $20m deal to acquire copyright of the flag design and buy out some of the licences to reproduce it, which were previously held by non-Indigenous companies." (Read More)
The Australian government has bought the Aboriginal flag's copyright in a bid to "free" the symbol of identity from bitter fights over who can use it. / Getty Images
"Indigenous artist Harold Thomas created the flag in 1971 as a protest image but it is now the dominant Aboriginal emblem and an official national flag. Despite this, many Aboriginal people say the flag has been "held hostage" by copyright deals that limit its display." (Read More)
Flags fly above Boston City Hall on Nov. 11.Lane Turner / Boston Globe via Getty Images file
"The Supreme Court on Tuesday will consider whether the city of Boston was wrong when it refused to let an organization fly a Christian flag in front of City Hall." (Read More)
"A committee of Idaho state lawmakers introduced a resolution Monday that would recognize Jan. 22 as a “Day of Tears,” lowering flags to half-staff to draw attention to the practice of abortion." (Read More)
Several flags around the world have unique and elaborate designs that tell a story of their origins. Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons
"The national flag of a country tells a special story about its history and culture. While some countries prefer to go with colour blocks, others feature elaborate artwork that make you look twice. Click start to play today’s Crossword, where you can name countries based on the flags we provide in the clues." (Read More)
"The stars and bars on the Confederate flag are, well, barred from a popular holiday parade in Hanover County, Virginia next month, prompting push back from a pro-Confederate group, but praise from others. Seen in black, white and red font,the rulesfor the Mechanicsville holiday parade, hosted by the Rotary Club, reads “There will be no displays of confederate flags or emblems." (Read More)
"Some travelers may notice the company also sports several eye-catching state flag liveries, which Southwest unveiled as a tribute to the destinations it serves." (Read More)
Trudeau says he is confident a “solution” will be reached to allow Canada to lower the flag to half-mast.
"Trudeau gave his strongest indication yet on Tuesday that the national flag could be raised and then lowered again at federal buildings on Remembrance Day." (Read More)
Veterans Tour delivers special flag to Mobile honoring 13 fallen soldiers (WPMI)
"A special flag to honor soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan now has a new home in a local American Legion Post. The Blackout Veterans Tour has been traveling all over the country to deliver these flags, and Saturday they had a special escort from more than 50 motorcycle riders and Alabama law enforcement officers." (Read More)
Hank Willis Thomas reimagined American flag titled 'Lift Every Voice and Sing' (New York Times)
"The American flag is a potent piece of national iconography, but its design shifted frequently until the early 1900s. What if it were redesigned today? We asked artists and graphic designers to try. The flags they came up with reflect a mix of approaches." (Read More)
A video of a Washington University student removing thousands of flags on campus has gone viral, attracting national attention. / KMOV4
"Student Mackenzie Manofsky told News 4 members of the campus’ College Republican groups placed 2,977 flags on the lawn of Mudd Field for a Sept. 11 tribute Friday. The following day, student Fadel Alkilani was seen collecting the flags and placing them into a bag. In a viral video, Alkilani was seen carrying 4-5 large bags as someone confronted him." (Read More)
Video circulating on social media showed the crowd at the city’s Pashtunistan Square dispersing [Screengrab/Social media video]
"At least two people have been killed and 12 wounded after gunmen fired into a crowd of people who had taken down an Afghan Taliban flag in the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad, sources say. A black-on-white Taliban flag that was waving at a roundabout in Jalalabad, located about 115km east of the capital Kabul, was removed and replaced with the black, red and green flag of the previous Afghan government on Wednesday morning." (Read More)
Nickerson Beach flying a purple flag with a shark to warn of sharks in the water (CBS New York 2)
"A record number ofshark sightingsat beaches in Nassau County this summer has prompted a new plan to warn swimmers using flags. On Nickerson Beach, a purple flag with a shark silhouette will be hosted for 24 hours whenever someone spots a shark." (Read More)
Purple flags flying on the beach at Emerald Isle Beaches (WNCT)
"Purple flags were flying at Emerald Isle beaches on Monday due to an above-average marine life presence close to the shore. William Matthias, Ocean Rescue coordinator and fire marshall for the Town of Emerald Isle, said there were 15 first-aid calls on Sunday and five on Saturday after people were stung by jellyfish." (Read More)
Controversial flags displayed from the balconies of South Korean athletes’ rooms in the Athletes Village. AP
"South Korea’s Olympic committee said it has removed flags at its Olympic village in Tokyo after they raised bad memories about a past military conflict between Japan and Korea." (Read More)
David Rankin, right, of Anderson, a U.S. Army Vietnam Veteran, waves at a motorist passing by his 115 flags on display in his front yard before the Fourth of July in Anderson June 2021. Ken Ruinard / Anderson Independent Mail
"David Rankin of Anderson, a U.S. Army veteran who served during the Vietnam War, honors veterans with 115 flags in his front yard each year. Veterans' names are written on some of the poles, something he has done each Fourth of July since after the events of Sept. 11, 2001." (Read More)
"Macy Gray is taking heat from conservatives for suggesting the American flag does not represent all Americans and is, therefore, in need of an update, with reactions ranging from simply disagreeing with her, to telling her to "feel free to leave," to blatantly racist rhetoric." (Read More)
Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., presents a U.S. flag with 51 stars, commemorating the possibility of adding Washington, D.C., as the 51st state, in her Capitol Hill office on Feb. 18, 2020.Thomas McKinless / CQ-Roll Call Inc. via Getty Images file
"The battle to get Washington, D.C., admitted into the union as the 51st state has beenwaged for two centuries, but adding a 51st star to the U.S. flag would take less than 60 minutes. So says Carter Beard, president of the venerable company Annin Flagmakers, a six-generation family firm that has sewn some of the most famous U.S. flags in history." (Read More)
"The Pentagon is reviewing a policy instituted last year that limits which flags can be displayed at military bases. The review comes as Pride Month is being celebrated throughout June. If changes are made to the current policy it could open the door to allowing the rainbow Pride flag to be displayed. But a senior defense official strongly cautioned no decisions have been made because any change could result in any number of cause-related flags and symbols being displayed on military installations. "This goes beyond the issue of the Pride flag," the official said." (Read More)
Flags missing from Mama Penn's restaurant (WSPA 7)
"Mama Penn’s Restaurant had its American and South Carolina State flags disappear this week. The owner of the ‘real southern cooking restaurant’ said Sunday morning, they discovered both flags were missing. “We came in Sunday morning to do our food ordering and we noticed both of our flags were missing from the flagpole,” said Sunny Davis, Owner of Mama Penn’s." (Read More)
Unlikely bandit takes couples Pride flag from University Heights home. (WOIO)
"Some would say Edgerton Road in University Heights was a quiet neighborhood until a theft sent neighbors into a tailspin. “I came home from work and noticed that the Pride flag was missing,” said resident, Charlie Olivo. Olivo told 19 News he turned to social media Tuesday to help find the culprit, hoping neighbors would supply Ring camera footage." (Read More)
Oklahoma and US Flags flying on the Oklahoma State Capitol grounds. Credit: KFOR 4
"Over a thousand American flags are now on display at the Oklahoma State Capitol. “Even one flag is too many,” said House majority leader, Rep. Jon Echols. Each flag represents a child who dies of abuse or neglect in America every year." (Read More)
"We recently showed Times readers images culled from Google Street View of 10,000 neighborhoods around the United States. Could readers guess, we wondered, how residents in a given place voted in the 2020 presidential election just by eyeballing a typical street scene?" (Read More)
DELANO, CA - MARCH 31: First Lady Dr. Jill Biden participates in a Day of Action at The Forty Acres with the Cesar Chavez Foundation, United Farm Workers, and the UFW Foundation on Wednesday, March 31, 2021 in Delano, CA. (Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
"It was no "April Fool's Joke" as some users on social media suggested that First Lady Jill Biden stood in front of a flag that resembled a "giant Nazi eagle" during a speech on Wednesday to mark Cesar Chavez Day. The flag in question was actually the United Farm Workers (UFW) union flag. The UFW, which was founded in 1962, is the country's first permanent agricultural labor union." (Read More)
The American Flag flying at FlagandBanner.com headquarters. Credit: KARK 4
"This is for anyone for a demonstration anytime something to burn that flag is it’s going to be, it’s going to stop,” Rye said. He says his constituents have echoed the same sentiment and he feels it’s a popular opinion not just here in Arkansas. “It needs to stop and I think the majority of the people in our country wanted to stop,” Rye said. Kerry McCoy is the president of FlagandBanner.com and thinks lawmakers dealing with these types of issues is a waste of time." (Read More)
Credit: State of Maine / Maine Flag Company / Public Domain
Left: The original state flag; Right: Maine's current state flag.
"Those hoping to see Maine's early 20th-century state flag replace the state's current flag will have to keep efforting the cause. The Maine House rejected a bill Wednesday that would have replaced the current flag, featuring the state’s seal set against a dark blue background, with the flag that officially represented the state at the beginning of the 20th century, with a green pine tree and blue North Star set against an off-white background." (Read More)
Thieves stealing a Thin Blue Flag in Indiana (Fox 59)
"Caught on camera, thieves stealing Thin Blue Line flags from people’s property in Kokomo. One neighbor we spoke with posted about their incident and are hoping police can find out who is responsible. There are still footprints in the snow from where the thieves took off with the flag." (Read More)
Flag has vulgar word for President and his supporters (WJRT)
"It can be offensive, but not illegal. A flag is flying high in front of one Bay County home. It features a vulgar word, followed by President Joe Biden’s last name. Bay County law enforcement tells us, several people have complained about it." (Read More)
Halifax Elementary School and the Peace Flag (Screenshot of CBS Boston)
"Ten-year-old Charlie Eldridge is in the fifth grade at Halifax Elementary School. Recently his teachers and classmates hung peace flags up on the back walls of their classrooms. Charlie says they hung them as a reminder, “That up there was showing that everyone should have peace and not be rude, mean and just accept people for who they are." (Read More)
Screenshot of Lt. Gov. John Fetterman's twitter post
"Flags supporting LGBTQ rights and the legalization of marijuana were removed earlier this week from Lt. Gov. John Fetterman’s office,according to wgal.com. The state Department of General Services said it removed the flagsbecause of a provision in a budget bill passed by the Republican-controlled Legislature." (Read More)
A farmer covers his face to protect himself from tear gas, during a protest against controversial farm laws introduced by the government, in New Delhi, India, January 26, 2021. (REUTERS/Adnan Abidi)
"Thousands of Indian farmers protesting against agricultural reforms on Tuesday overwhelmed police and stormed into the historic Red Fort complex in New Delhi after tearing down barricades and driving tractors through roadblocks." (Read More)
The 40-by-80-foot American flag has flown over Hot Springs since September 2015. Not only was it stolen, but the area was also vandalized overnight. (THV 11)
"A 40-by-80-foot American Flag that has flown over Hot Springs bypass for several years is suddenly gone. Someone stole it overnight and vandalized the area. People making their morning commutes were the ones who noticed it missing." (Read More)
Close to 200,000 flags of varying sizes now cover the National Mall ahead of President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration.
"This inauguration marks a new chapter for the American people — one of healing, of unifying, of coming together, of an America united,” Tony Allen, CEO of the PIC, said in a statement. “It is time to turn the page on this era of division. The inaugural activities will reflect our shared values and serve as a reminder that we are stronger together than we are apart, just as our motto ‘e pluribus unum’ reminds us — out of many, one." (Read More)
"Residents of Heber City, Utah, may not see rainbow banners waving along their Main Street during Pride Month, as they have in years past, but they'll soon get an LGBTQ center to call their own." (Read More)
"Flown by many protesters at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, the Gadsden flag has a design that is simple and graphic: a coiled rattlesnake on a yellow field with the text “Don’t Tread On Me.” But that simple design hides some important complexities, both historically and today, as it appears in rallies demanding President Donald Trump be allowed to remain in office." (Read More)
A panel of historians were charged with picking a new design for the official South Carolina state flag. This is the design they settled on. (Provided)
"A high-powered team of historians has done the research and determined what South Carolina’s state flag should look like once and for all. Rest assured, not much is changing. The flag will still feature a white Palmetto tree and crescent against an indigo blue backdrop, a combination of historically significant elements that makes South Carolina’s flag one of themost iconic bannersin the country — and, arguably, one of the good ones." (Read More)
An Austin artist has planted a flag in his front yard for every Texan whose life was lost to COVID-19 (Photo: CBS Austin)
"Each flag in the front yard of Austin artist Shane Reilly represents one Texan who's died of COVID-19. “People needed a reminder,” he said. "Each one of these flags represents a mom or a husband or somebody's kid that has died, and these are real, individual people,"Reilly told CBS News. "I hope that somebody could look at this and say, 'Okay, here's something I can do to save a life.'" (Read More)
A demonstrator, with the phone number of a legal councilor written on their arm, holds the Polish flag during a Nov. 18 protest against a top court ruling restricting abortions in Warsaw, Poland. (Image source AP)
"Prosecutors have opened an investigation into whether the Polish flag was publicly insulted after a family in Warsaw hung a flag from their balcony combined with a lightning bolt, a symbol for women’s rights in Poland." (Read More)
Village of Santo Domingo resident Jean Wix is upset because she says Pearl Harbor Day isn’t an approved holiday where the District will allow decorations to be put up at the entrance to neighborhoods.
"A Villager became extremely frustrated last week after her patriotic feather flags suddenly disappeared from the entrance to the Village of Santo Domingo. Jean Wix said she and her neighbors put up the 11-foot-tall patriotic decorations in honor of Pearl Harbor Day and she was quite shocked when they went missing." (Read More)
China's Chang'e 5 moon lander deployed a small fabric flag on Dec. 3, 2020. (Image credit: CNSA/CLEP)
"China now has a real flag flying on the moon. The sample-collecting Chang'e 5 moon lander deployed a small version of China's five-star red flag on Thursday (Dec. 3), shortly before the mission's attached ascent vehiclelaunched into lunar orbit carrying the precious dirt and rock." (Read More)
Local teen saves and repairs tattered American flags. (WPEC)
"Matthew Amatulli loves to fix American Flags. Angela Amatulli, Matthew's mother said, "Instead of presents, he would always just want flags for birthdays." The 16-year-old is Autistic. His mother tells CBS 12 the movement of the flag helped to calm him down when he was a little boy." (Read More)
A yard sign calling for support for the "In God We Trust" flag in Jackson, Miss., on Oct. 27.Rogelio V. Solis / AP
"Voters in Mississippi have chosen a new state flag, replacing a 126-year-old banner that incorporated a version of the Confederate battle flag. A vote to adopt "The New Magnolia," designed by graphic artist Rocky Vaughan, as the state's new flag, got 68 percent of the vote in a public referendum, according to results reported to NBC News as of Tuesday night." (Read More)
Installation view, Byron Kim, Sky Blue Flag, 2015. Courtesy the artist and Ballroom Marfa. Photo by Mackenzie Goodman.
"This fall, Ballroom Marfa presents an outdoor exhibition from October 2, 2020 through January 21, 2021 that features new commissions from eight noted artists. Each artist has created a flag accompanied by a sound-based work that will be on view individually for two weeks, rotating through each artist in the series from October to January, in Marfa, Texas." (Read More)
The Stop the Violence Utah campaign planting purple flags for National Domestic Violence Month. (Screenshot)
"Thousands of flags will be planted in communities across Utah on Saturday in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Service providers with the Young Women’s Christian Association, YWCA, will be placing purple flags in public places across Utah communities to recognize the thousands of victims affected by domestic violence each year, according to a news release from the YWCA." (Read More)
Bob Marshall, also known as "Cowboy Biden," circles the crosswalk at the intersection of Broadway and Highlands Ranch Parkway in Highlands Ranch with a Joe Biden flag and an American flag. He began walking on July 4 and has continued most weekdays since then. (John Leyba, Special to The Colorado Sun)
"It began with one guy in a cowboy hat holding an American flag in one hand and a Joe Biden flag in the other. It was the Fourth of July, and thanks to coronavirus, Bob Marshall’s other plans were canceled, which is how he ended up at the intersection of Broadway and Highlands Ranch Parkway, walking in a square for almost five hours." (Read More)
Homeowners: HOAs selectively request removal of social justice signs, flags (Screenshot)
"Homeowners in Gwinnett and Cobb County are questioning the changing directives and enforcement surrounding homeowners associations' stance on social justice signs and flags." (Read More)
Each of the 20,000 flags represents 10 American lives that have been lost to the virus this year, according to the group'sGoFundMe page. (Screenshot)
"Twenty thousand American flags have been placed on the National Mall as part of a memorial paying tribute to the more than 200,000 people nationwide who have died from the coronavirus. The installation, called a COVID Memorial Project, was put organized by a group of friends in the Washington D.C. area who raised money online." (Read More)
Multiple screenshot collage of the rumor. (Snopes)
"On Sept. 15, 2020, a message claiming that the restaurant chain McDonald’s had removed American flags from its premises nationwide in order to support antifa and the Black Lives Matter movement started to circulate on Twitter. The message appears to have been made up out of whole cloth by the Twitter account @Ron4Trump38 before it was copy and pasted by a variety of pages across Facebook" (Read More)
Double red flags were flying in South Walton on Saturday.(South Walton Fire District)
"Franklin County commissioners Tuesday morning approved a new ordinance with penalties for people who ignore warning flags on the beach. The measure is modeled after a similar ordinance in Panama City Beach, according to the county attorney." (Read More)
Commissioners selected these final five designs for the new Mississippi state flag on Tuesday. (Courtesy image)
"The Mississippi Flag Commission met Tuesday to narrow choices for a new state flag to five. These five designs — several of which the commission slightly tweaked on Tuesday morning —will be available for public viewingon the Mississippi Department of Archives and History website later on Tuesday. The commissionreviewed nearly 3,000 public submissions for a new state flag design." (Read More)
A mosquito has a 1/147 chance of being on the state's next flag. (Courtesy image)
"A flag featuring what appears to be a mosquito has a one in 147 chance of being the next state flag. The Commission to Redesign the State Flag recently released a list of designs making it to the second round of flag selection progress." (Read More)
The Mississippi Department of Archives and History has release more than 2,000 ideas from the public for a new state flag. (Courtesy image)
"More than 2,000 Mississippi flag design ideas were released online Monday following a weekslong public submission process. The Mississippi Department of Archives and History posted the flag designs on its website,mdah.ms.gov. Members of the commission charged with redesigning the flag will each now select 25 of their favorites." (Read More)
The victim had been with friends at a nearby party when she apparently snatched one of the swastika flags displayed outside the man's home. (NBC News)
"An Oklahoma man who proudly flies Nazi flagsat his home opened fire on a young woman who tried to steal one of those banners, officials said." (Read More)
A Mississippi flag flying on a flagpole (CBS News)
"The Mississippi state legislature voted on Sunday to replace its state flag, the last in the nation to display the Confederate battle emblem. The removal of the flag marks the latest Confederate symbol to topple in the weeks following George Floyd's death as activists have called for a reexamination of the racism that exists in all corners of society." (Read More)
(WPMI) Changes coming to flags at Mobile’s Government Plaza
"For years, flagpoles at Government Plaza have displayed all the flags of the entities that have controlled Mobile over its 300+ year history. One of those flags is the third national flag of the Confederate States of America." (Read More)
‘Stennis Flag’ becomes ‘Hospitality Flag’ as creator steps down / WLBT
"A local artist announced she is stepping away from the push for a new Mississippi state flag alternative. Laurin Stennis announced on social media that she was stepping away from the push for the 'Stennis Flag' as it was called." (Read More)
Mississippi state flag flying in front of capitol building in Jackson (Shutterstock)(WHSV)
"Gov. Reeves does not support the idea of having two state flags. “Over the weekend there has been a proposal floating amongst some in the legislature to create a second Mississippi flag,” Gov. Reeves said Monday morning. “Let’s call it the ‘Separate but Equal’ flag option." (Read More)
"Nancy Pelosi gifted a folded American flag to George Floyd’s family last week. Many are asking if she bestowed an honor meant only for veterans." (Read More)
FILE PHOTO: Navy Adm. Michael Gilday, chief of naval operations, arrives to testify to the Senate Armed Services Committee about military housing on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., December 3, 2019. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts/File Photo
"The U.S. Navy is working to ban the Confederate battle flag from all public spaces on Navy installations, ships and aircraft, the service said on Tuesday, as the military and the country as a whole grapple with questions about racial inequality." (Read More)
"Bubba Wallace wore a shirt that read "I Can't Breathe/Black Lives Matter" before Sunday's NASCAR race in Atlanta, and now the circuit's only black full-time driver is pushing for change at the track." (Read More)
President Trump concluded a speech to the National Federation of Independent Businesses on June 19 by embracing one of the U.S. flags on the stage. (Reuters)
"President Trump is “all in” for a constitutional amendment banning desecration of the American flag, he said in an early-morning tweet Saturday, backing an effort by two Republican senators. To commemorate Flag Day — which also happens to be Trump’s birthday — Sens. Steve Daines (Mont.) and Kevin Cramer (N.D.) introduced the amendment Friday." (Read More)
The Wisconsin Truck Takeover Enthusiasts paid tribute to the lives lost while serving our country / Fox 6
"There was no public Memorial Day ceremony Monday, May 25 at Wood National Cemetery in Milwaukee as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Only the media and VA staff were allowed, but the cemetery stayed open so people could privately remember the true meaning of this day." (Read More)
President Donald Trump stands as Chief of Space Operations at US Space Force Gen. John Raymond, second from left, and Chief Master Sgt. Roger Towberman, second from right, hold the United States Space Force flag as it is presented in the Oval Office of the White House, May 15, 2020, in Washington. Secretary of the Air Force Barbara Barrett stands at far left. / ALEX BRANDON/AP
"The U.S. Space Force unveiled its service flag on Friday, when top Pentagon officials presented President Donald Trump with the sixth military branch’s officials colors during a private Oval Office ceremony marking Armed Forces Day." (Read More)
The couple pictured holding the letter outside their home in Shropshire. Mark, 45, said: 'I felt disappointed and had questions about whether to live here anymore' / Photo: SWNS.com
"A patriotic family have hit back after a poison pen letter writer branded their VE Day Union flags 'disgusting' and 'tasteless'. Nicola and Mark Slater received an anonymous letter after decorating an end-terrace outside their home in Lawley, Shropshire, with bunting and flags to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War." (Read More)
Signal flags flying on the nautical pole in Belvedere / Photo: Hannah Weikel
"As a sign of solidarity with the community amid the coronavirus pandemic, members of the San Francisco Yacht Club have hoisted a trio of signal flags above the club that mean 'I will stand by to assist you' — inspired by a story of a heroic rescue in the Atlantic Ocean in 1926." (Read More)
Betsy Vogel Boze shows where she sewed her name and the date she made the Earth Day flag now being flown at the school. (Photo: Jimmy Watson/The Times)
"While recently cleaning out her mother’s South Highland’s home, Byrd High graduate Betsy Vogel Boze was reunited with an important 50-year-old cultural symbol." (Read More)
A lone American flag stands atop a mountain peak along Highway 95, along with a POW/MIA flag and state flag on two separate peaks to the left (not pictured). Who maintains them and why they’re standing in these spots is a mystery. /JoANN SMITH, News West
"Many of us drive down Highway 95 every single day trying to pay attention to the cars and motorcycles buzzing in and around us, not really looking at much else out the window. Losing focus on this busy stretch could easily spell disaster in a heartbeat." (Read More)
Walt Disney World Resort president Josh D’Amaro shared what the company called #DisneyMagicMoments on his Instagram account Wednesday.
"The music is silent. The paths are empty. The gates are closed to guests. But despite the shutdown of Walt Disney World and Disneyland because of COVID-19, the flags are still flying at one Disney property." (Read More)
American flags and red bows displayed on trees / Photo courtesy of Delia A. Guajardo
"A local woman is placing red bows and American flags on trees as a sign of unity and hope. It's a trend Delia A. Guajardo, says she hopes will catch on across the city." (Read More)
"About 1,000 U.S. flags were posted Sunday at Richville Park by Operation: Flags of Freedom organizers and local volunteers coming out to lend a hand." (Read More)
The Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil was lit up Wednesday during a special mass. Wagner Meier/Getty Images
"Brazil's Christ the Redeemer statue was lit up with flags and messages of hope on Wednesday in solidarity with countries affected by the novel coronavirus pandemic. The statue, which overlooks the city of Rio de Janeiro, was lit up with the flags of countries that have reported cases of the virus." (Read More)
"Self-quarantining is rising nationally. Originally for maritime use, the Quarantine Flag, also known as the Q International Signal Flag, has historically been used on boats to warn of infectious diseases. In modern times, the L International Signal Flag has replaced the Q flag. These flags can also be used on land during emergency situations. FlagandBanner.com has quarantine flags allowing you to alert your neighbors that you are self-quarantining." (Read More)
A protester waves a Nazi flag at a Bernie Sanders rally. (Photo by Orlando Garrido)
"Sen. Bernie Sanders said Sunday that he "never expected in (his) life as an American" to see a Nazi flag waved at a major political rally, several days after a man unfurled one during a speech the Democratic presidential candidate gave at an event in Arizona." (Read More)
H.K. Edgerton, right, gets a hug from a man in front of the South Carolina state house grounds on July 10, 2015 in Columbia, South Carolina. Since the early sixties and until today the Confederate battle flag had flown on the capitol grounds. The flag debate was reignited following the mass murder at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina, that June. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
"As states continue to grapple with the passionate debate over whether to display statues and other tributes to Confederate leaders, Marines have been told the materials won't be tolerated on any of the Corps' installations." (Read More)
State Sen. Tom Brewer introduced legislation to require the display of the four Nebraska tribal flags representing the Santee Sioux (from left), Omaha, Ponca and Winnebago tribes in the legislative chamber (GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star file photo)
"Native representatives told state senators Tuesday that placement of tribal flags in the state Capitol's legislative chamber would recognize tribes' historical role and significance in the history of Nebraska. " (Read More)
Klobuchar standing in front flags sold by FlagandBanner.com (KARK 4)
"Democratic Presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar made a stop in North Little Rock at the Maumelle Event Center Sunday afternoon. She spoke before a crowd of about 1,100 people." (Read More)
World flags hanging at Harrisburg High School (Kelo)
"Harrisburg High School is celebrating students with international backgrounds through a new flag project. The school has 28 students with connections to countries all over the globe." (Read More)
Posted February 13, 2020
Flags In The News Utah lawmaker taking another stab at updating the state flag The Salt Lake Tribune
(Steve Griffin | Tribune file photo) In this July 24, 2017, photo, the Utah state flag waves in the morning sun at the start of the Days of '47 Parade in Salt Lake City. A Utah state lawmaker is leading an effort to redesign the flag.
"A Utah lawmaker is renewing his push to update the state flag, with the goal of establishing a design that evokes the same pride and ownership among residents as flags in states like Colorado, Arizona and California." (Read More)
Posted February 6, 2020
Flags In The News Meet the 80yo flag raiser who never misses a day to fly the Aussie flag Australian Broadcast Company
PHOTO: David Floyd beats the sunrise each morning to raise the flag at the local park. (ABC Radio Brisbane: Jessica Hinchliffe)
"Every day for 17 years, rain, hail or shine, David Floyd makes his way to a local park to do an important job which he sees as a simple gesture." (Read More)
Posted January 28, 2020
Flags In The News 'Peace and inclusivity': Beulah residents take a stand against Nazi flag display The Standard
Beulah residents took a stand against hate on Saturday with a community barbecue. Picture: CONTRIBUTED
"THE Beulah community has banded together in a display of peace and inclusivity after a Nazi flag was displayed by one of the town's residents last week." (Read More)
Posted January 20, 2020
Flags In The News Can sticking flags in sausages boost domestic consumption? Hungary thinks so euronews
A Hungary flag shows consumers where the sausage was made / Copyright MTI/Máthé Zoltán
"Hungary has come up with a new strategy to promote domestic meat consumption, essentially consisting of sticking flags in pork cuts. New legislation that entered into force on Wednesday stipulates all shops, markets, supermarkets and hypermarkets must now label their fresh pork meat with a flag indicating its country of origin." (Read More)
Posted January 17, 2020
Flags In The News Iran protests: Crowds in Tehran refuse to walk on U.S. and Israeli flags NBC News
Iranian protestors avoid walking on US and Israel flags / NBC News
"A week after millions of Iranians flooded the streets following the death of one of the country's top generals, Qassem Soleimani, a contrasting symbolic image played out in Tehran on Sunday. Crowds of people outside Beheshti University refused to trample over giant U.S. and Israeli flags that had been painted on the ground, according to video filmed at the scene that has been verified by NBC News." (Read More)
Posted January 14, 2020
Flags In The News Civil War medical museum prepares to amputate Confederate flag from logo The Washington Post
Employee holding a medical saw / National Museum of Civil War Medicine Twitter
"The National Museum of Civil War Medicine, a quirky and fascinating repository of battlefield medical artifacts including skull saws and rusty scalpels, is amputating the Confederate flag from its logo." (Read More)
Posted January 6, 2020
Flags In The News Tokyo 2020: Why some people want the rising sun flag banned BBC News
Japan's Rising Sun Flag / Getty Images
"But what if a flag is so offensive to some countries it sparks a whole movement to get it banned? That is what's happening with Japan's rising sun flag and the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. And the strongest criticism is from South Korea - where some politicians even compare it to the Nazi swastika." (Read More)
Posted January 3, 2020
Flags In The News 'Trump 2020' flag sparks debate over resident's rights to fly political flags any time of the year FOX 10 Phoenix
A woman in Prescott Valley may inspire a change in city ordinance when it comes to flying political flags after she is threatened with hundreds of dollars in fines for not taking down a Trump 2020 flag. / Fox 10
"A Prescott Valley woman was told she has to take down her Trump flag, and it wasn’t her Home Owners Association telling her to do so, it's the city. In December, Tawney Baccellia was told she had to take down her 'Trump 2020' flag that’s flying in her backyard because it’s against city ordinance. She says she was told if she doesn’t take it down, she’d face hundreds of dollars in fines." (Read More)
Posted January 2, 2020
Flags In The News The Puerto Rican Flag’s Evolving Colors Say a Lot About the Island’s Relationship with its Colonial Rulers Mother Jones
Casino developer Steve Wynn and his wife Andrea Hissom, make their way to the Senate Policy luncheon.Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call
"There’s a running joke in Latinx circles about Puerto Ricans and their love for their flag. “How did you know I was Puerto Rican?” reads the caption on a popular meme accompanying a photo of a woman wearing Puerto Rican flags from head to toe." (Read More)
Posted January 2, 2020
Flags In The News Police waving Miami flags KTBS 3 ABC
Shreveport, LA police waving Miami U flagsKTBS 3 ABC
"Shreveport, LA police assigned to the Independence Bowl are waving Miami University flags ahead of the big game Thursday." (Read More)
Posted December 23, 2019
Flags In The News These 4th graders do their best to honor the flag, struggle to understand impeachment USA Today
The fourth graders at Poston Road Elementary School in Martinsville, Indiana. Ty Vinson/Special To The Indianapolis Star
"There are rules about how the American flag can be displayed. A big one is that it can’t be up all night unless it’s properly lit. So, unless you have spotlights, the flag has to come down." (Read More)
Posted November 25, 2019
Flags In The News COUNTY TAKES ACTION AFTER UNAPPROVED FLAGS POP UP DOWNTOWN WWAY3
A viewer sent WWAY a photo of an American flag accompanied by 3 other flags on county property Saturday morning. (Photo: WWAY)
"New Hanover County is not taking any more chances and is taking down a long-standing flag pole at the corner of 3rd and Grace streets that has been drawing eyes downtown lately. It started back on Tuesday, which was the night of municipal elections, according to County Spokesman Jessica Loeper." (Read More)
Posted November 13, 2019
Flags In The News The Real Reason Why Football Referees Throw Yellow Penalty Flags KOMONEWS
A yellow flag used in the NFL (Sportscasting)
"Whether you’re watching a football game on TV or in the stadium, there’s one phrase every fan, player, and coach hates to hear: “There’s a flag on the play.” Just when you thought your team broke off a massive run, the officials come in to spoil everything." (Read More)
Posted October 28, 2019
Flags In The News 'Is this your turd?': Missouri city's cleanup flags dog poop KOMONEWS
Springfield MO Police Deparment post of the new flags (Facebook)
"Officials in a southwest Missouri city are planting small flags in piles of abandoned dog poop as part of a campaign to get residents to clean up after their pets downtown." (Read More)
Posted October 11, 2019
Flags In The News Ahead of statehood hearing, DC displays US flags with 51 stars Washington's Top News
Supporters of statehood for D.C. put up flags with 51 stars. (WTOP/Mitchell Miller)
"Dozens of American flags on display in D.C. Friday have a small addition that carries big meaning: each has 51 stars. Some 140 of these special flags were put up along Pennsylvania Avenue between the White House and the U.S. Capitol. They were installed ahead of a Monday morning parade planned along Pennsylvania Avenue, called a 51 Star Flag Salute to D.C. Statehood." (Read More)
Posted September 16, 2019
Flags In The News A Twitter bot randomly generated a UK/Ireland 'United Ireland' flag and people went completely insane The Irish Post
The Flags Mashup Bot generated post featuring a Irish colored Union Jack
"A TWITTER bot which was developed to randomly mash together the flags of different countries has found itself at the centre of a half-humorous, half-enraged storm from Irish Twitter users. The bot, named Flags Mashup Bot, randomly generates hybrid flags. That's it-- that's all it does." (Read More)
Posted August 30, 2019
Dreamland Ballroom News Dreamland Ballroom Groundbreaking Announcement - The Stranger
Executive Director of Friends of Dreamland, Matthew McCoy, standing in front of the Taborian Hall (Friends of Dreamland
"In late July construction began at the historic site, Taborian Hall, also known as the FlagandBanner.com building, on W. 9th St., Little Rock, Arkansas. On the top floor of this National Historic Site resides the beautiful Dreamland Ballroom. For years, this treasure of Little Rock's once thriving African American business district has been publicly inaccessible, primarily lacking an elevator." (Read More)
Posted August 23, 2019
Flags In The News Jackassery Will Not Be Tolerated in Seattle's Only Flag Contest - The Stranger
"#1" DESIGNED BY "CHET CLAPPER"
"It has come to our attention that The Stranger's (un)official contest to replace the City of Seattle's ugly city flag has been rife with tomfoolery. Shenanigans. Undemocratic hanky-panky. The short of it is people have been stuffing our ballot box. But before we get into it, let's take a look at which flag seems like it won our noble competition to inspire civic pride and unity." (Read More)
Posted August 12, 2019
Flags In The News Colorblind firefighter overcome with emotion from seeing the American flag's colors for the first time - CBS Evening News
How firefighter Spencer Caradine sees the flag (CBS)
"It's the most treasured symbol of our country. So imagine if you couldn't see the red, white and blue of the American flag. That's exactly what happened to Douglas County, Georgia firefighter Spencer Caradine. "I never knew that there was a different red in my eyes," he said. Caradine is colorblind and he only recently found out because of his fellow firefighter, Jordan Gardner. "When I realized he couldn't see what I saw, I wanted to be able to fix it," Gardner said." (Read More)
Posted July 23, 2019
Flags In The News Tencent-backed 'Top Gun' cuts Taiwan flag from Tom Cruise's jacket - CNN Business
Twitter users show the original patches versus the ones in the new trailer
"A new trailer for the sequel of 1986 blockbuster "Top Gun" is stirring up controversy because it shows Tom Cruise putting on the iconic bomber jacket he wore in the original film — but with two key changes. In the Paramount Pictures trailer of "Top Gun: Maverick," two jacket patches that had originally shown the Japanese and Taiwanese flags appear to have been swapped out and replaced with two ambiguous symbols in the same color scheme — leading to social media speculation that the swap was done to appease China." (Read More)
Posted July 22, 2019
Flags In The News A funeral home says 21 US flags honoring veterans on July 4th were set on fire - CNN
The remains of the flags were found in a pile, the funeral home says. (McDougald Funeral Home)
"Twenty-one American flags were found burned at a cemetery in Anderson, South Carolina, according to the funeral home that runs it. Owner Jess McDougald says his family has never seen anything like it in McDougald Funeral Home's 85 years of operation. The funeral home has been run by the same family for three generations, since McDougald's grandfather started it, and he says they put out American flags during patriotic holidays." (Read More)
Posted July 19, 2019
Flags In The News How do you honorably dispose of 25,000 US flags? Burn them in a massive funeral pyre - Courier Journal
Thousands of American flags burn during a flag retirement ceremony by the Jeffersontown American Legion G.I. Post 244. Tens of thousands of American flags are under the large flag retired from Town & Country Ford. John Wright, with the post, believes that this flag retirement ceremony might be the largest in the U.S. June 29, 2019. (Photo: Michael Clevenger/Courier Journal)
"They flew for years — their stars and stripes soaked, sun-baked and frozen countless times outside homes on tree-lined streets, high above car dealerships and at government offices. But the roughly 25,000 tattered and faded U.S. flags — turned in to the American Legion by owners unsure of how to properly dispose of them — now lay packed on wooden pallets, soaked in diesel fuel and covered by a mammoth 50-foot flag on a rural Louisville farm." (Read More)
Posted July 2, 2019
Flags In The News Nike Nixes 'Betsy Ross Flag' Shoe After Kaepernick Intervenes - The Wall Street Journal
Betsy Ross flag / Getty Images
"Nike Inc. is yanking a U.S.A.-themed sneaker featuring an early American flag after NFL star-turned-activist Colin Kaepernick told the company it shouldn’t sell a shoe with a symbol that he and others consider offensive, according to people familiar with the matter." (Read More)
Posted July 2, 2019
Flags In The News Flags at Glastonbury – ranked! - The Guardian
Papa’s got a brand new pig flag Photograph: David Levene/The Guardian
"Love them or hate them, flags in a bewildering variety are an inescapable part of the Glastonbury experience. We scanned the best and worst on show" (Read More)
Posted July 1, 2019
Flags In The News 2020 Tokyo Olympics country flags make for impressive anime warriors - c|net
See flags of countries participating in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics reimagined as Japanese anime characters. (World Flags Project)
"The US as shaggy blond male warrior? Japanese artists are re-creating flags of countries participating in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics as anime characters. The warrior representing the United States wears stars and stripes armor, while Australia's anime character that looks a lot like Thor. Both Argentina and South Africa are represented as colorful samurai warriors at the ready with their swords. The reimagining, initiated by the World Flags project, aims to "introduce the flags of the world and some information about them using cool Japanese traditional clothes," according to the project web site. " (Read More)
Posted June 28, 2019
Flags In The News Thousands in Morocco protest US peace confab, burn Israeli flags - The Times of Israel
Protesters tear at a makeshift Israeli flag during a protest in the Moroccan capital Rabat on June 23, 2019, against the US-led economic conference in Bahrain with its declared aim of achieving Palestinian prosperity. (AFP)
"Thousands protested Sunday in Morocco against a planned conference in Bahrain where the economic component of a US-led plan for peace between Israel and the Palestinians is set to be unveiled. Demonstrators gathered in the capital Rabat burned an Israeli flag near Morocco’s parliament and shouted “Death to Israel!” and “Death to the United States!" (Read More)
Posted June 25, 2019
Flags In The News Store owner decides to stop selling Confederate flag: It's 'being equated to a symbol used to incite genocide' - Yahoo Finance
Kerry McCoy made a decision to stop selling the Confederate flag in her store. (Photo: Bannerisms/Kerry McCoy)
"Upset with the way the the Confederate flag has been adopted by extremists as a part of hate speech, a store owner of almost 45 years made the decision to stop selling the flag. Kerry McCoy, founder and president of FlagandBanner.com, based in Little Rock, Ark., is a proud Southern woman. And on June 12, she penned a blog post about why she will no longer be selling the flag." (Read More)
Posted June 17, 2019
Flags In The News Arkansas store owner halting sales of Confederate flags - NY Daily News
The owner of an Arkansas flag store will no longer sell Confederate flags. (NeilLockhart/Getty Images/iStockphoto)
"A longtime Arkansas business owner is bidding farewell to a remnant of the Old South. Frustrated by how extremists have co-opted the Confederate flag, Kerry McCoy has put her foot down and will no longer be selling the item at her store." (Read More)
Posted June 17, 2019
Flags In The News Southbridge man defends flying Nazi, Confederate flags that outraged neighbors - 7 News Boston
Neighbor Brian Harvard snapped this photo of the flag flying
"A Southbridge man who drew the ire of his neighbors when he flew a Nazi flag on his property — only to replace it with a Confederate flag when confronted, said his display is misunderstood.
Paul Gibeault, 65, took down the Nazi flag Monday after a concerned citizen, Brian Harvard, posted a photo to the town’s Facebook page that received an overwhelmingly negative response." (Read More)
Posted June 14, 2019
Flags In The News Arkansas Flag Lady Finally Folds - PR Newswire
Owner and President Kerry McCoy at the FlagandBanner.com headquarters
"The FlagandBanner.com president, Kerry McCoy, will immediately discontinue the sale of all Confederate battle flags and battle flag themed products. The decision comes in light of recent international and local events coupled with the company's participation in the upcoming Juneteenth celebration, hosted by the Mosaic Templar Cultural Center taking place on 9th Street in downtown Little Rock, Arkansas. In this week's blog post, McCoy explains her change in policy" (Read More)
Posted June 13, 2019
Flags In The News Battle flag carried by black Union troops hits auction block - The Washington Post
This undated photo provided by Morphy Auctions shows a detail of the 127th Regiment United States Colored Troops battle flag in Denver, Pa. The flag was carried into battle by one of the 11 black Union regiments during the Civil War is going up for auction in Pennsylvania. The flag was painted by David Bustill Bowser, an African American artist who was a member of one of the regiments and the son of a fugitive slave. (Morphy Auctions via AP) (Associated Press)
"A flag that was carried into battle by a black Union regiment during the Civil War and hand-painted by an acclaimed African American artist is going up for auction in Pennsylvania. The 127th United States Colored Infantry Regiment’s flag depicts a black soldier waving goodbye to Columbia, the white female personification of America, beneath a banner reading, “We Will Prove Ourselves Men.” It was one of at least 11 such flags painted by David Bustill Bowser, an artist, activist and son of a fugitive slave. " (Read More)
Posted June 11, 2019
Flags In The News Several U.S. Embassies Are Flying Rainbow Flags in Defiance of Trump Administration - Slate
A rainbow flag and an American flag are seen at the Stonewall National Monument, the first LGBTQ national monument, on June 4 in New York City. / Angela Weiss/Getty Images
"Several U.S. embassies are defying the Trump administration and flying rainbow flags to celebrate LGBTQ Pride Month even though the State Department rejected all requests to hoist rainbow flags on official flagpoles, reports the Washington Post. Some are straight-out not following the order and are flying the rainbow flag below Old Glory, while others are getting around it with rainbow lights, to name one example. Beyond the flag itself, several ambassadors are publishing images of themselves celebrating Pride." (Read More)
Posted June 10, 2019
Flags In The News The big flag might stay; ‘The Profit’ might not go to jail -Associated Press
In this undated handout photo provided by Camping World, an American flag blows in the wind at Gander RV, in Statesville, N.C. Businessman and reality television star Marcus Lemonis says he’ll go to jail before he removes a huge American flag flying at a recreational vehicle store that his company owns and that’s the subject of a lawsuit because of its size. (Jennifer Munday/Camping World, AP)
"Maybe television’s “The Profit” won’t have to make business deals behind bars after all. Marcus Lemonis, star of CNBC’s so-named reality television show, had said Wednesday that he would go to jail before he’d remove an enormous flag that flies at a recreational vehicle store in violation of the city of Statesville’s size ordinance. But later in the day, the city said in a news release that its leaders will consider a change that would allow the flag displayed at Gander RV along Interstate 77 to continue flying." (Read More)
Posted May 31, 2019
Flags In The News Soldier Seen Placing Flag at Tomb of Unknown Soldier During Torrential Rain -Military.com
A soldier of the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) stands in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during a severe storm for Flags In at Arlington National Cemetery, May 23, 2019. Flags In is an annual military operation carried out by The Old Guard before Memorial Day weekend in which soldiers plant over 245,000 U.S. flags at the graves of Arlington National Cemetery. (Maryam Treece/U.S. Army)
"An “Old Guard” soldier who was photographed placing a small American flag at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during a severe thunderstorm is drawing notice ahead of Memorial Day." (Read More)
Posted May 30, 2019
Flags In The News Photos: 37,000 Flags On Boston Common Honor Fallen Mass. Veterans -WBUR
Three-and-a-half-year-old Veronica Ianivska holds up an American flag as her mother takes a picture of her in the sea of flags in Boston Common during the Massachusetts Military Heroes flag planting event Wednesday. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)
"More than 37,000 American flags are now on the Boston Common — an annual tribute to fallen military service members. Each flag represents a Massachusetts resident who has died in military service since the Revolutionary War. This is the 10th year that volunteers have planted the flag garden that goes up before every Memorial Day weekend." (Read More)
Posted May 23, 2019
Flags In The News NC city sues to take down massive US flag — and fines company $50 a day for flying it -The Charlotte Observer
The City of Statesville sues RV store for flying 40-foot-by 80-foot flag. BY WBTV
"Just in time for Memorial Day, one North Carolina city has filed a lawsuit to force an RV store to pull down a 40-foot by 80-foot U.S. flag because it’s too large, reports WBTV and other news outlets. To put the 3,200-square-foot size in perspective, that’s about 1,000 square feet bigger than the average Starbucks. Statesville, N.C., officials say the U.S. flag at Gander RV is nearly twice the size of what is specified in city codes for “signs and other outdoor marketing devices,” says WBTV." (Read More)
Posted May 23, 2019
Flags In The News New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy orders Mississippi flag removed from state park over Confederate imagery -The Washington Times
Photo by: Julio Cortez / A United States flag, top left, flies near other state flags on the pole slated for the Mississippi state flag at Liberty State Park, Saturday, April 27, 2019, in Jersey City, N.J. On Friday, April 26, 2019, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy ordered the Mississippi flag removed from the display of each state's flag and replaced by the American flag because it has a confederate emblem on it. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
"New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy had the Mississippi state flag removed from a park near the Statue of Liberty on Friday because it bears the Confederate battle emblem. Mr. Murphy, a first-term Democrat, ordered that the U.S. flag replace Mississippi’s on Freedom Way in Liberty State Park where the flags of all 50 states are usually flown. “New Jersey’s strength is rooted in our diverse communities,” Mr. Murphy said. “The Confederate symbol displayed on the Mississippi state flag is reprehensible and does not reflect our values of inclusivity and equality." (Read More)
Posted Apr. 30, 2019
Flags In The News Oregon county pays $100,000 to employee who sued over Blue Lives Matter office flag -Insider
A United States flag, with blue and black stripes in support of law enforcement officers, flies at a protest by police and their supporters outside Somerville City Hall, Thursday, July 28, 2016, in Somerville, Mass. AP Photo/Charles Krupa
"An Oregon county has agreed to pay $100,000 to a black employee who sued after a co-worker pinned up a Blue Lives Matter flag in the office. Karimah Guion-Pledgure alleged in her January lawsuit against Multnomah County that the flag demeans the Black Lives Matter movement and that after she and other black co-workers complained, she was harassed by others in the office, The Oregonian/OregonLive Saturday." (Read More)
Posted Apr. 22, 2019
Flags In The News Seven-year-old girl asks Ikea to change ‘boring’ flags to include unicorns – and they oblige -Metro IK
Ikea's new flag for Unicorn Day using Charlotte's design / Metro UK
"Charlotte, 7, wrote to Ikea suggesting they should change their ‘boring’ blue and yellow flags to include unicorns. Charlotte, who absolutely loves unicorns, came up with the idea because she spots an Ikea store every day on her way to school. She decided to draw up some fresh designs, showing unicorns shouting ‘Ikea’ in speech bubbles, and wrote a very important letter to the store’s bosses." (Read More)
Posted Apr. 8, 2019
Flags In The News Sanders, Pelosi, Ocasio-Cortez hang transgender pride flags in Congress -NBC News
A transgender pride flag stands outside of Sen. Bernie Sanders' office in Washington / Senator Bernie Sanders Office
"Pink, blue and white transgender pride flags are dotting the halls of Congress this week, where members are displaying them ahead of International Transgender Day of Visibility on Sunday.." (Read More)
Posted Mar. 27, 2019
Flags In The News Flags you don't want to capture at South Portland dog park -News Center Maine (Video)
Red flags mark where dog owners have failed to pick up after their pups feces / News Center Maine
"These are flags you don't want to capture at a popular park for dog walking in South Portland. South Portland's Rec Department placed red flags at Hinckley Park, where dog owners have failed to pick up after their pets and there were a lot." (Read More)
Posted Mar. 22, 2019
Flags In The News American flags a symbol of renewal in storm's aftermath -oanow.com
Jamie Popwell, right, attaches an American flag to a new flagpole he put up on Wednesday along Lee Road 721 in Beauregard. Kara Coleman Fields/kcoleman@oanow.com
"Despite tornadoes wreaking havoc through the area, they could not bring down the flag. After two tornadoes swept through the Beauregard area on Sunday, destruction was spread across the eastern portion of Lee County. However, the American flag continued to fly in Blanche Whatley’s yard despite her home and property having received damage." (Read More)
Posted Mar. 11, 2019
Flags In The News Noem announces plan to display tribal flags in the Capitol Rotunda -NewsCenter 1 (Video)
Screenshot of Gov. Kristi Noem announcing her plans February 28, 2019 / NewsCenter 1
"Gov. Kristi Noem announced on Wednesday that she plans to permanently display the flags of South Dakota’s nine tribal nations in the State Capitol Rotunda. “South Dakota has a unique opportunity for a new beginning between the state and tribal governments. Bringing tribal flags to the rotunda is a sign that we are unified and working together to create policies for the next generation,” said Governor Kristi Noem. " (Read More)
Posted Mar. 1, 2019
Flags In The News Arkansas Bill Proposed To Change Meaning Of State Flag To Honor Native Americans Instead Of Confederacy -Inquisitr (Video)
Screenshot of new flag designs / THV11
"Lately, there has been a push across the United States to remove symbols that seek to honor the Confederacy and the soldiers who fought for it. Those symbols have ranged from statues and monuments to street names in a number of municipalities across the country. The recent moves have been part of a larger effort to stop glorifying and memorializing the Confederate States of America and those who committed heinous crimes against minorities under its banner." (Read More)
Posted Feb. 18, 2019
Flags In The News Enterprise observes ‘Flags For Forgotten Soldiers’ Day -Fox News
Commander Robert R. Green (left) and Dwain D. Hartwick (right) of Enterprise’s Chapter 2216 Military Order of the Purple Heart greeted Mayor Bill Cooper prior to the flag ceremony Wednesday. (The Enterprise Ledger)
"Enterprise City Hall welcomed veterans, family members, and military supporters for a special dedication ceremony commemorating “Flags For Forgotten Soldiers” Wednesday morning. Flags For Forgotten Soldiers is an organization that was founded by Cincinnati resident Howard Berry in 2016 following his veteran son’s suicide. The organization seeks to “expand the awareness of the growing issue of suicide among veterans of our military forces” according to a proclamation read by Mayor Bill Cooper during the event; to commemorate veterans who have committed suicide, a total of 660 flags are placed in displays across the country, showing passersby just how many veteran lives are lost each month due to suicide." (Read More)
Posted Feb. 7, 2019
Flags In The News Restaurant owner sells business over Confederate flag controversy -Fox News
Tommy Daras says he’s selling his Edisto River Creamery because he’s been unable to remove the rebel banner flown by the Sons of Confederate Veterans on a tiny piece of property in front of his business. (Larry Hardy/Times & Democrat via AP)
"After years of battling the Confederate flag, a South Carolina restaurant owner has surrendered. Tommy Daras says he's selling his Edisto River Creamery in Orangeburg because he's been unable to remove the rebel banner flown by the Sons of Confederate Veterans on a tiny piece of property in front of his business. "I can't beat them guys," Daras told The Times and Democrat of Orangeburg. "They destroyed the safety of the place and the enjoyment of the property. They killed me on the internet." (Read More)
Posted Jan. 29, 2019
Flags In The News Mississippi lawmakers file bills to redesign controversial state flag -WLOX
Video screenshot from WLOX.
"The Mississippi state legislature seems poised to take up the state flag as several new bills filed in the first weeks of January focus on its redesign. Mississippi is the last state in the country whose flag still bears the Confederate Battle flag. Four bills similarly seek to establish a commission to redesign the flag. (Read More)
Posted Jan. 23, 2019
Flags In The News Chairman calls Burgum's surprise decision to display tribal flags 'monumental' -The Bismarck Tribune
The flags of North Dakota's five tribal nations are displayed outside Gov. Doug Burgum's office Thursday. (Forum News Service)
"Gov. Doug Burgum’s announcement that his office would display the flags of North Dakota’s five tribal nations was one of the more warmly received parts of his State of the State address Thursday.
It was also somewhat of a spur-of-the-moment declaration that wasn't included in his prepared remarks provided to reporters.
Burgum, a first-term Republican who has emphasized improving the state’s relationships with the tribes, has thought about displaying the flags for more than a year, his spokesman Mike Nowatzki said. "(Read More)
Posted Jan. 7, 2019
Flags In The News 'It's A Disgrace': American Flags Vandalized On Canton Overpass -CBS 4 Boston
Henry Krueger holds vandalized American flag (WBZ-TV)
"Flags put up on an overpass in Canton to honor veterans and those lost serving in the military were vandalized with graffiti.
“I believe that’s to portray bleeding stars of some sort,” said Henry Krueger as he pointed out the spray paint on an American flag.
He found the American flags that hung on an overpass as a sign of patriotism were desecrated." (Read More)
Posted Jan. 4, 2019
Barrington neighbors cover street with rainbow flags after couple’s flag stolen, replaced with American flag - WGN 9
"A couple in the northwest suburbs got the best gift they could have imagined this holiday season: a neighborhood filled with rainbows after their LGBT pride flag was stolen. Casey Handel and Zadette Rosado just moved into Barrington last May with their two daughters. They flew their rainbow flag behind their home. Two weeks ago, someone snuck into their yard and took it down and replaced it with a United States flag. “We were pretty devastated as far as, who would do this? Why would they do it?” Handel said. The incident was chilling, but then something wonderful happened."
US & Serbian flags color opposite sides of Mitrovica as Kosovo votes to create army - RT.com
" American flags were flown over the Albanian-majority south side of Mitrovica in Kosovo as the region voted to create its own army. In response, buildings on the north side were draped in Serbian flags, hanging out of windows. Peacekeepers from the NATO force KFOR rolled onto the bridge connecting the two halves of the divided city of Mitrovica in Kosovo on Thursday, as the breakaway region's MPs prepared to approve the creation of its own army. The streets behind the peacekeepers' armed vehicles, on the Albanian-majority southern side of the city, were adorned with strings of overhanging American flags – the US being about the only major international player that backed the idea of a Kosovan army."
New Little Havana flag featuring a rooster criticized on social media - Miami Herald
"Miami’s Little Havana has Latin American folklore, art, food and music. And now it has a new flag that’s created a social media spat. The design unveiled last week is a fusion of the Cuban and U.S. flags, surrounded by the flags of 22 Latin American nations and a rooster in a lead role. The flag also carries the words, “Little Havana, U.S.A. la que tiene libertad (the one that has freedom).” Conceived by Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo and unveiled by Francis Suarez and Carlos Gimenez, the mayors of the City of Miami and Miami-Dade County, respectively, the flag was not well received on social media."
Canada to fly flags at half-mast in honour of George H.W. Bush - The Baltimore Sun
"Flags on all Canadian federal buildings in both Canada and the U.S. will be flown at half-mast tomorrow to pay tribute to former U.S. president George H.W. Bush, says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. "President George H.W. Bush was a statesman, patriot and true friend to Canada," tweeted Trudeau on Tuesday morning. "On Wednesday, as Americans mourn his passing, flags on federal buildings in Canada and at Canadian offices in the United States will be flown at half-mast. May he rest in peace."
Maryland FedEx driver praised for stopping to fold fallen flags - The Baltimore Sun
"A Ferndale family is thanking their FedEx driver for making an unplanned stop to fold their American flag after it went down on a windy day this week. Although driver Mike King wasn’t delivering any packages to Gail Cook’s house, he stopped on Wednesday when he saw her flagpole was laying across her lawn. A Ravens flag and an American flag were attached to the pole and on the ground. When Cook got home, she found the flags neatly folded on her front porch — the American flag was creased in a proper triangular fold, with the Ravens flag beneath it. "
Flag protocol breach seen in Xi Jinping's Philippine visit - Philstar Global
" The Duterte administration appears to have broken protocol during the two-day state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to the Philippines. President Rodrigo Duterte received his Chinese counterpart at Malacañan Palace Tuesday afternoon for an official welcome ceremony, followed by a bilateral meeting where 29 agreements were signed. During Duterte and Xi's meeting, the arrangement of Philippine and Chinese flags were reversed, violating Republic Act 8941 or "The Code of the National Flag, Anthem, Motto, Coat-of-Arms and Other Heraldic Items and Devices of the Philippines."
Arkansas' original state flag among 2 set for $20,000 makeover - Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette
"After stretching the fingertip of a white glove to snap it in to place, State Archives Curator Julienne Crawford turned to a low, flat table and gingerly touched the corner of a wooden frame that encased Arkansas' original state flag. The 1913 shattered-silk, 24-inch-deep flag with a 36-inch-wide fly (the part extending from the flagpole) was deeply wrinkled behind the frame's glass. The thinning fabric's colors were faded and the flag sagged in the frame. The center white diamond had vertical splits throughout."
What it took to hang a massive 400-pound American flag in honor of Maj. Brent Taylor - Fox 13 Salt Lake City - Video
"Many have seen the videos and if you're near, Ogden you’ve seen a gigantic flag waving in the distance, all in the memory of veterans and Maj. Brent Taylor. “It was the coolest thing that I’d ever witnessed,” said Kirk Chugg, one of the many who organized the American flag’s placement in Coldwater Canyon Sunday morning. “At the very moment the flag was going out, those were the words going through my head: 'By the dawn's early light.' That’s when I felt Brent the most.” Chugg was one of 140 plus people who carried the 400 lbs flag up Coldwater Canyon on Veterans Day to surprise Taylor’s family."
"The earliest version of the modern flag can be traced back to the Almohad dynasty in the 12th century. The background of the flag is the same deep red as the modern flag, but in the middle was a 64-piece chess board. In traditional Islamic culture, the chessboard stands as a symbol for verbal sparring and the victories of Islamic arguments over other dominant moral frameworks."
Mississippi judge removes state flag from courtroom, displays new design without Confederate emblem - USA Today
"On his first day as a judge in 2017, Clarksdale Municipal Judge Carlos Moore ordered the removal of the Mississippi state flag from his courtroom. Moore received threats after making the change. “I don’t believe the confederate emblem stands for justice, and I took an oath to administer justice,” Moore told WREG."I’m taking a stand. I don’t care about death threats or any of that sort of thing." The U.S. flag was the only flag hanging in Moore's courtroom until now, WREG reported. Moore now displays a new version of the state flag without Confederate symbolism."
San Luis is the first city to fly an ADEQ Air Quality Flag - WAFB 9
"San Luis is the first city in Arizona to join the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality’s (ADEQ) Air Quality Flag Program. Brightly colored flags intended to raise awareness for air quality conditions will be placed all around the city Monday for residents to see. Each day, a flag will be raised matching the colors of the Air Quality Index (AQI). By comparing the colored flags to the AQI, residents will know what actions to take to protect their health."
First responders gifted hats, flags from LSU for their efforts in hurricane-stricken Florida panhandle - WAFB 9
" First responders from the Louisiana’s State Fire Marshal’s office were surprised Sunday night with some gifts from LSU. Each first responder got a baseball hat and each team received a flag for their work in the search and rescue efforts in Panama City and Mexico Beach areas of Florida following Hurricane Michael. A video post from LAOSFM shows State Fire Marshal Chief H. “Butch” Browning handing out the purple and gold gifts."
Woman-Owned Company Raises Pink Flag For Breast Cancer Cure - PR Web
" Woman-owned company, FlagandBanner.com, will fly a pink version of the Arkansas state flag throughout the month of October in support of finding the cure for breast cancer. The custom made flag was manufactured onsite in 2017. The trend of flying a pink state flag began in 2015, when a FlagandBanner.com customer, Geoffrey Jackson, purchased a pink New Mexico flag in honor of his wife who lost her fight against the disease. His story was reported in FlagandBanner.com’s magazine, Brave, last October. After the story ran, pink state flag requests skyrocketed. FlagandBanner.com reports making pink versions of at least eight different state flags. "
Sold: The Flag That Hurricane Florence Shredded on Camera - Atlas Obscura
" FLAGS DON’T FARE WELL IN storms. Richard Neal knows this, because he’s been through it before. He always keeps a flag flying above the Frying Pan Tower, the decommissioned Coast Guard light station that he purchased in 2010, which marks dangerous shoals roughly 35 miles from the North Carolina coast. It’s hard enough out there for a flag, even under the best skies—the average one lasts about a month, he says—and storms just eat them up. Hurricanes Matthew and Andrew chewed through flags years ago, but Neal didn’t think Florence would have such sharp teeth, so he didn’t take the flag down. By the time he realized how strong the storm would be, it was too late. The flag would have to weather it."
Resilient flag shredded by Florence off NC coast ‘represents who we are as America’ - The Charlotte Observer
"Richard Neal, the owner of a bed-and-breakfast 32 miles off the coast of North Carolina in old Coast Guard tower, says he fielded several angry calls from veterans as Hurricane Florence approached. That’s because his B&B at Frying Pan Tower is also the home of one of the many Explore.org live cams that have been documenting the storm as it rumbled toward the Carolina coast. And also because, that live footage at times has shown the tower’s American flag, being shredded by the devastating rain and wind the storm is bringing with it. “They told me, ‘this is disrespectful,’ and that I need to get out there and replace the flag right then,” Neal told McClatchy. “In the hurricane.” "
FlagandBanner.com Donate Replacement Flag to Frying Pan Tower - PR Web
" As Hurricane Florence bears down on the Carolina coast, cable news network CNN has been monitoring its approach from a historic Atlantic ocean lighthouse in North Carolina. Located 34 miles offshore from Cape Fear, North Carolina, the Frying Pan Tower - a former Coast Guard Light Station built in the 1960's and now a bed and breakfast, has been live streaming the storms approach. Each shot seen here shows the raging ocean and the flag, whipping fiercely in the howling winds. Richard Neal, owner of the Frying Pan Tower stated on air that the flag was "provided by the good people at FlagandBanner.com.""
CEO of Steve Landers Auto Group to Appear on Up in Your Business with Kerry McCoy - PR Web
"Up in Your Business with Kerry McCoy radio show will host local business man and philanthropist Steve Landers this Friday on KABF 88.3 FM at 2 pm. Landers is the CEO of the Steve Landers Auto Group which includes all dealerships under the Landers name in Arkansas and has a partial interest in McClarty Automotive. Tune in this Friday to hear Landers discuss business ownership, advertising, the Landers Award and scholarship program, his involvement with the Arkansas Racing Commission and love of horse racing as well as Landers' many community service and charitable projects including The Steve Landers Family Foundation which funds various charitable works throughout the state of Arkansas."
John Berman interviews Richard Neal regarding the flag at the Frying Pan Tower - CNN Transcript
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"You can see and you can hear the force of Hurricane Florence as it bears down here on this coast. This is coming from this light station, which believe it or not is privately owned. The man who owns it is Richard Neal. He joins us now. Richard, thanks so much for being with us. Before we get into the whys and hows of this station, explain to us what we are seeing and what we're hearing. What readings are you getting at this point? RICHARD NEAL, OWNER, LIGHT STATION (via telephone): Yes, certainly, John. Look, thanks for having me on. What we have right now is we have a camera about a hundred feet off the water where the wind is ripping up to 50, 60 miles an hour already. And the waves are rolling past, doing their best to knock us down. But we have been out here since 1964. We're not going anywhere."
Flag torn on Hurricane Florence live stream has hilarious Twitter account -Citizen Times / USA Today
FlagandBanner.com in the news
"Meteorologists have said Hurricane Florence has slowed down as it prepares to make landfall. Tell that to the flag. The flag sits on a former Coast Guard light tower just over 30 miles from the North Carolina. Named the Frying Pan Tower, the structure has been there since 1964. It now operates as unique bed and breakfast 80 feet above the water. But anyway, you were wondering about the flag?”
Company to donate American Flag to Frying Pan after Hurricane Florence batters Old Glory - ABC 12 News
FlagandBanner.com in the news
"Flag and Banner has offered to donate a new American Flag to Frying Pan after millions of people watched Hurricane Florence batter Old Glory. The tower is located about 34 miles off the coast of North Carolina. Richard Neal, owner of the tower, converted the retired navigation platform into a bed and breakfast several years ago… Thankfully, a flag company has stepped up to donate a new flag to the tower. "Many many thanks for FLAG sponsor https://www.flagandbanner.com/ who is stepping up to help the tower with new flags," Neal wrote.”
American flags mowed down at Hatboro, Pa. cemetery - ABC 6 News
"Dozens of small flags honoring loved ones were mowed down at a cemetery in Hatboro, Pa. It all started with photos that were shared on Facebook by Montco News Feed. The initial poster saying this is how the landscaping crew at the cemetery, quote, "honors our flags and veterans." He termed it "unacceptable," and manager Wayne Sands did not dispute that opinion. "A number of them were shredded like when they get sucked up under a mower deck and spit out. Some were just knocked over," said Sands.”
Appleyard: French flag flew over Pensacola — briefly - CBC
"In 1949, a group of 20 men began discussions which soon led to the establishment of the Fiesta of Five Flags, to be a feature for attracting visitors to the community and to supplement the area's beaches. The Fiesta (and then the city's own flags symbol) sustained the French emblem, yet from that date to 2018, little has been made detailing the French presence, and properly so. However, that story deserves at least a brief detailing of why the colors were represented.”
Wait-list for Peace Tower flag now exceeds average Canadian lifespan - CBC
"All Mitchell Mader wanted was a meaningful piece of Canadiana when he signed up to receive one of the 250 Canadian flags flown throughout the year atop Parliament Hill's Peace Tower, but it's unlikely he'll live to see the day it arrives. The $150 Peace Tower flag is changed weekdays in Ottawa and once they're used, they are given to Canadian residents who request them. The limit is one flag per person and household. The current waiting time for Peace Tower flags is approximately 99 years, according to the Government of Canada's website. The wait time for flags flown elsewhere in the Parliament complex isn't much better — it's 86 years.”
Meet the DOT worker who keeps Brooklyn Bridge flags flying - Spectrum News, New York 1 - Video
"Cesar Pazmino's morning walk is not for the fearful. It's a dizzying, quarter-mile ascent along a narrow steel cable leading to the top of the Brooklyn Bridge 276 feet above the East River. Pazmino is not a daredevil - but a city employee responsible for taking care of the two American flags atop the iconic landmark. "It's beautiful. It's like, when you go underneath those two towers, it's like being in a cathedral," Pazmino said. Pazmino has worked for the city's Transportation Department for 30 years. For 27 of them, he's been taking care of the flags on the bridges. The Brooklyn Bridge is his favorite.”
Doppelgänger Flags: Do You Know Which Is Which?- New York Times
"All the countries of the world are different — but some of their flag designs are a little too similar for comfort. On Wednesday, those similarities came to the fore when New Zealand’s acting prime minister renewed calls for Australia to change its flag, saying it “copied” New Zealand’s. Flag confusion can lead to the occasional international faux pas or awkward Olympic ceremony. We’ve created this short quiz to help save you from any future flag embarrassment.”
Monday to bring flag he rescued to Arkansas - Arkansas Online
"Amid the ongoing controversy surrounding NFL players kneeling for the national anthem and the presentation of the American flag by our military comes some good new locally. One of our own, Rick Monday, is coming home to give a talk on the significance of the American flag. Many will remember April 25, 1976, when Monday -- then the center fielder for the Chicago Cubs -- saw two people in Dodger Stadium run onto the field carrying a flag, lighter fluid and a lighter. As they tried to set the flag on fire, Monday swooped in, grabbed the flag and carried it off the field. Monday, a native of Batesville, will bring that flag with him in November when he comes to Arkansas to raise money for the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History in Little Rock.
Confederate Flag License Plates Are Getting More Popular in Tennessee - Time
"The popularity of Confederate flag license plates in Tennessee has hit a 10-year high, according to data from the state’s department of revenue. There were almost 3,300 active Sons of Confederate Veterans plates in Tennessee at the end of June, the Nashville Tennessean reports. While that’s a small number overall — Tennessee has a population of around 6.7 million, and more than 5.6 million passenger license plates in circulation — it represents a 72% increase over the end of fiscal year 2015, the year debates about the Confederate flag broke out in earnest, according to the newspaper.
Vietnam veteran says man burned neighborhood's American flags - Fox 4 (Video)
"One Vietnam veteran woke up to a man burning the neighborhood's American flags in a gas grill. According to deputies, Joel Teltow had just been released from Salus Care before being arrested for the act. "It just meant something very special, regarding our country," said David Kaczmarek, the Vietnam veteran who says he immediately called Lee County Deputies after waking up to red flames outside his window. According to LCSO, Teltow was burning flags he had collected throughout the Bonita Springs neighborhood in a gas grill behind his mother's home..
Kansas officials seek altered US flag's removal from museum - AP News
"Republican Gov. Jeff Colyer and a top GOP rival called Thursday for the University of Kansas to remove an altered U.S. flag from its campus completely rather than showing it in an art museum after complaints prompted an end to its being displayed publicly outside. Colyer and other Republicans saw flying the altered flag as a public art display as disrespectful. He said during a Fox News Radio interview Thursday that the piece should be returned to the artist.
As Trump targets trade, a Chinese factory says it's been hired to make flags for Trump's 2020 campaign - Business Insider
"As the US's trade conflict with China heats up and President Donald Trump's reelection campaign gets underway, a Chinese manufacturer says his factory has been hired to create flags for Trump's 2020 bid. The factory, which used to make red scarves for the communist Young Pioneers before China opened up its trade, now makes about 100,000 international flags a day. "We also make flags for Trump for 2020," Li Jiang told NPR's "The Indicator" podcast. "It seems like he has another campaign going on in 2020. Isn't that right?" NPR said Li was making "blue-and-white Trump 2020 flags," though his factory and many others in the Zhejiang province in eastern China also made flags for Trump and Hillary Clinton during 2016. According to NPR, the Trump campaign was ordering so many more flags than Clinton's side that locals joked they were the first to know the businessman would become president.
Why synagogues started putting American flags in the sanctuary - Jewish Telegraphic Agency
"Jewish tourists from North America are likely to notice one big difference when visiting synagogues around the world. Though a plethora of symbols, such as stars of David and menorahs, may be displayed, national flags are rare inside the sanctuary. Meanwhile, in the United States and Canada, an American or Canadian flag (and sometimes both) are commonly displayed on the bimah, or ritual stage, often alongside an Israeli flag. When did this uniquely North American Jewish custom originate and why? According to historian Gary Zola, you can thank a patriotic wave during World War I and, later, the birth of Israel.
Eugene man celebrates Independence Day through symbolism of flags - KMTR 16 NBC (Video)
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"While most folks celebrated the Fourth of July with fireworks, one local Eugene man is going above and beyond to display his appreciation for America's freedom. "If you take care of your flags, your flags will take care of you. If you take care of them, they will continue to represent you." His name is Robin Hickman.
Local DAR chapter gives two tactile flags to blind Marine veteran - The Villages Daily Sun
"More than a dozen flags sat in front of the members of the John Bartram Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution on Friday. Two of them were especially important. On the day after Flag Day, the chapter gave two tactile flags to Rosalie Spada, a legally blind veteran of the U.S. Marines. The Village of Orange Blossom Gardens resident served in the Korean War and pursued a career in nursing after she was honorably discharged. She went to nursing school thanks to the GI Bill but eventually decided to be a teacher.
Woodchucks taking flags from local cemetery - ABC News 10
"Last week residents in Adams, MA were outraged after finding several flags missing from veterans’ graves at Bellevue Cemetery. They spent days trying to figure out who stole them, but now they think they found the culprit, who buried themselves in a big hole. Mark Paquette was watering flowers at Bellevue as he does often, when he couldn’t believe what he saw. "It was just flag poles on the ground broken," Mark said. He found flags missing from all of the veterans’ graves at the bottom of a hill, with poles left in their holders or broken on the ground. "Who would do something like this? And what would they be doing with the flags?" Mark said “I was concerned that it was vandalism.”
Flag Day: Las Cruces police chief reflects on history, freedom - The Las Cruces Bulletin
"Today is Flag Day. It celebrates the date in 1777 (241 years ago) when the Second Continental Congress adopted the Stars and Stripes as the official flag of the United States. “What an appropriate day to ask such a question (What does the American flag mean to you?) – the 74th anniversary of D-Day (June 6),” said Las Cruces Police Chief Patrick Gallagher. “A day that says everything you need to know about our flag. A day when thousands of young men, mostly teenagers from all walks of life, half a world away from their homes, stormed the beaches of Normandy in the name of liberty to defend everything our flag represents.”
FLYING COLOURS World Cup flags – your group-by-group guide to the flag of every team at Russia 2018 - The Sun
" Impress your friends by checking out this handy A to H of national banners. A CHAOS of colour is flooding Russia as fans wave, paint or wrap themselves in flags to support their home side. But can you tell all 32 apart? Get familiar with the competing countries' stars, suns and symbols with our handy group-by-group guide."
A Wisconsin museum displays rare Civil War flag - WISN 12 ABC
"A 157-year-old flag from the Civil War is on display at a Green Bay museum. The flag with a "Great Star" pattern was hand sewn by a Green Bay woman and is on display at the Neville Public Museum, Wisconsin Public Radio reported. The flag is part of the "Our Brown County" display. It's believed to have flown for a rally at the beginning of the Civil War and to have been displayed over what was Fort Howard in Wisconsin until about 1865. "It was one of the last flags to fly over Fort Howard," said Lisa Kain, the museum's curator. "It's a rare pattern, significant to that time period so that also makes it so special." The museum acquired the flag in 1934, Kain said. It was recently rediscovered in the museum's archive, which has more than 300,000 physical items."
All NFL Players 'Shall Stand And Show Respect' For Flag And Anthem, League Says - NPR
" Unveiling a new policy after months of controversy and debate over players taking a knee or otherwise making statements during the national anthem, the NFL says all of its athletes and staff "shall stand and show respect for the flag and the Anthem" if they're on the field. "Personnel who choose not to stand for the Anthem may stay in the locker room or in a similar location off the field until after the Anthem has been performed," the league said in its new policy. The possibility that the NFL might issue a blanket restriction on protests during the anthem has been discussed for months, and the buzz gained new momentum this week."
Gas station chain denies it stopped flying U.S. flag because it offended foreigners- The State
"Two weeks ago, a man who described himself as a trucker posted a video saying that he was done with a national chain of gas stations because one location in Texas was not flying the American flag. He said he asked an employee why there was no flag and was told it caused "foreigners come in here complaining, and they didn't want to lose the foreigners business." That explanation did not sit well with Dave Moore, and he shared his thoughts on the incident. His Facebook post went viral and the video was viewed more than a million times before it was removed from his page."
Jets fans say they weren't allowed to bring Canadian flag, Jets garb into Las Vegas arena- CBC.ca
"A Winnipeg Jets fan says she was forced to discard a Canadian flag in a waste receptacle after T-Mobile Arena would not allow it inside the venue. Lori Black said her Canadian flag wound up in the trash after security informed her she could not carry it into the arena on Friday, where the Jets played the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals. Black said she was given two choices: "Throw it out or take it back to my hotel," she said via Facebook Messenger."
A small Maine town wants its own flag - Bangor Daily News
"The Bristol selectmen on May 2 reviewed a draft design of a town flag, created by vexillologist Dave Martucci. According to Town Administrator Chris Hall, Lincoln Academy students have requested town flags to hang at the school. Bristol does not have a town flag. Hall contacted Martucci, who lives in Washington and has been involved in vexillology since 1966, to draft a flag design. Vexillology is the study of flags. The design includes diagonal sections or “gyrons” alternating between blue and white. This represents the light from the Pemaquid Point lighthouse, which “guides navigators, much as the people of Bristol guide their town into the future,” Martucci said in an email to Hall."
5,000 Israeli flags inscribed by well-wishers across world - Israel21c
"In honor of Israel’s 70th anniversary, 5,000 Israeli flags signed by 200,000 well-wishers from across the world will be placed in a time capsule at Jerusalem’s Ammunition Hill historic site to be opened in 2048 on Israel’s centenary. At least 200 of the blue-and-white banners will hang from poles in the center’s main hall for several months starting on Jerusalem Day (May 13 this year) before joining the others in the capsule. They’ll be preserved in special envelopes and catalogued so signers can find their flags easily in 30 years’ time."
Iranian Lawmakers Burn U.S. Flag, Question Trump’s ‘Mental Capacity’ After Nuclear Deal Pullout - New York Magazine
"Iranian lawmakers did not take kindly to President Trump’s announcement Tuesday that the U.S. is walking away from the Iran nuclear deal, chanting “Death to America” and torching a paper American flag on the floor of Parliament in Tehran Wednesday. While the burning of Old Glory isn’t rare in Iran, this was the “first time political observers could remember anything being burned inside the parliament itself,” the AP reports."
Statewide collection underway for worn American Flags to be properly disposed - News 10
"The New York State Office of General Services is collecting worn and tattered American flags at locations across the state so they can be properly retired. The collected flags will be disposed of as part of the Memorial Watchfire hosted by the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 103, on Sunday, May 27th, 2018 at the New York State Fairgrounds, Syracuse, NY. "American flags should be retired with respect and honor and this collection program provides New Yorkers with a simple way to accomplish this," Governor Andrew Cuomo said."
A flag demonstration is getting attention at a Mercer County school - WYTV 33 (video)
"There are two sides to a flag demonstration that took place Thursday at Lakeview High School in Mercer County. Students put American flags on their cars before school. One student claims he was told to remove a Confederate and an American flag from his vehicle on Monday. The demonstration Thursday was arranged to show support for the country. District Superintendent Dr. Hendley Hoge said the student was asked to remove a Confederate flag because it could be viewed as racially insensitive. Hoge said the student willingly took it down."
Reno City Council chooses new official flag - KOLO 8 (video)
" Community input via the Reno Flag Project has led to the Reno City Council to choose a design for a new official municipal flag. Pending specifications, the design by Reno resident Tucker Stosic was chosen, with a star from the Reno Arch, the golden yellow depicting the high desert, a blue stripe representing the Truckee River under the Sierra Nevada, a semi-circle below for the Silver State."
Operation Fallen Flags unveils Glory Truck, new program to replace old flags in Rockford - RRSTAR.com (video)
"A first-of-its-kind program will send local veterans around Rockford to replace old or tattered American flags at no cost. Operation Fallen Flags kicked off Saturday with the unveiling of a tool that will keep flags from falling out of reach of replacement. It’s called the Flagship 1 Glory Truck, a 1989 GMC bucket truck that’s been completely restored and decorated with stars and stripes. An olive-green parachute, like the ones used to drop packages into deployment zones, covered the Glory Truck as it sat on the sidewalk in front of Veterans Memorial Hall and Museum, 211 N. Main Street, before it was unveiled. Veterans and the families of those currently deployed cheered as the parachute was lifted and a flag attached to the bottom of the truck’s bucket was raised high above the crowd."
American flags cover bridge over Interstate 680 in Boardman - WKBN 27(video)
"Another bridge in the Mahoning Valley was covered with American Flags on Sunday. Around 120 flags were put on the Western Reserve bridge over Interstate 680. The Mahoning County Veterans Service Commission wants the flags to welcome people to the area and let them know that we support our veterans here. They're also committed to making these flags a Valley mainstay. "This is our third bridge, and the flags were bought and paid for by the Mahoning County Veterans Service Commission in support of veterans," said Susan Krawchyk of the commission."
Jacksonville man can keep flying military flags after he's issued warning - Action News Jax CBS 47 (video)
"A Jacksonville city worker has been placed on leave after she allegedly told a veteran his service to the United States didn't matter while giving a business a warning for flying military flags. The story quickly went viral and many people have come out in support of the veteran and Jaguar Power Sports."
Iran Caught in Global Cyber Attack That Left US Flag on Screens - VOA News
"Hackers have attacked networks in a number of countries, including data centers in Iran where they left the image of a U.S. flag on screens along with a warning: “Don’t mess with our elections,” the Iranian IT ministry said Saturday. “The attack apparently affected 200,000 router switches across the world in a widespread attack, including 3,500 switches in our country,” the Communication and Information Technology Ministry said in a statement carried by Iran’s official news agency IRNA."
"Flags may look simple, but the art behind them is surprisingly complex. First, they need to reflect a nation's identity. Second, they need to convey that identity in a clear, memorable and aesthetically pleasing manner. That's a tall order when you're dealing with a small rectangle and two to four colours (unless you're South Sudan). Some nations rise to the task beautifully (Canada, Wales, Japan). Others fall short. Others – specifically those listed below – fall so far short that they're underground. "
Blue Lights and Flags Honor Victims of Child Abuse in Pennsylvania - WNEP 16 News
"The state capitol building in Harrisburg is lit up and surrounded by blue, in honor of innocent children. April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. On Saturday, volunteers and members of the Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance planted 4,416 flags around the capitol complex. The flags stand in honor of the children who are abused in the commonwealth in one year. The group also planted 46-black flags to honor the number of children killed by abuse. Event organizers hope this gives people a visual understanding of how important the issue is in Pennsylvania and that it prompts every person to step up and help. "I would just like to have families in Pennsylvania recognize that there is support and alternatives to the stressful moments when we may break as a parent, and that there are support mechanisms in place to help prevent the abuse that are children are facing," said volunteer Maureen Fairbanks."
"Flags Across America" celebrates the flag as seen through the eyes of Americans - New Day Northwest / K5 News
"The American flag is an iconic symbol and evokes strong of emotions for many citizens of the United States. The new book called Flags Across America celebrates the flag through the eyes of everyday people all across the country. From athletes to artists, from the heartland to outer space, the book shares their stories and dreams. Local co-authors, Karen Robbins and Dale Baskin join New Day Northwest to discuss their new book."
The Thin Line Between the Public and Danger, FlagandBanner.com offers Thin Line Flags to honor those who serve the public - FlagandBanner.com Press Release
"In the 1950s LAPD Chief Bill Parker coined the term “thin blue line” as the barrier between law and order and social and civil anarchy. By the early 1970s, the term had spread to police departments across the U.S. Use of the term became especially widespread following the release of Errol Morris' 1988 documentary film The Thin Blue Line. Recently other service branches have adopted Thin Lines in varying colors. Firefighters have adopted a red line, EMTs, a white one. “We have carried the thin blue and thin red line flags at FlagandBanner.com for many years,” says Kerry McCoy, President of FlagandBanner.com. “We have recently added to our Thin Line Flag collection for those who want to show support for those who protect and serve the public at great mental and physical cost.” The complete list of Thin Line Flags from FlagandBanner.com: …"
Mesmerizing, Or A Hot Mess? Why Maryland’s State Flag Looks So…Distinct - WAMU/American University Radio
"…Whether you’re a Maryland flag lover or hater, the red, white, black, and gold pattern is hard to forget. But the history behind it is less well-known. The story of the Maryland state flag started about 400 years ago, and it’s one that fascinates historians, vexillologists (flag experts), design buffs, and regular citizens alike. Maryland’s flag is comprised of four distinct quadrants. In the first and fourth, black and gold (yes, it’s gold, not yellow) stripes alternate, and a diagonal stripe of opposite colors cuts down the middle. This design comes from the coat of arms of George Calvert, also known as the first Lord Baltimore. In the early 1630s, Calvert dreamed up the idea for a Maryland colony, and successfully petitioned the King for a charter. But he died five weeks before the charter was finalized, and left the task of starting the colony to his son, Cecil. Cecil, the second Lord Baltimore, had a slightly more complicated coat of arms than his father. It alternated his father’s black and gold striped pattern, with the red and white checkered cross pattern from the coat of arms of his mother’s family, the Crosslands, much like the Maryland flag does today."
Bolivians unfurl massive flag in support for sea access claim - Laramie Boomerang
"Bolivia unfurled a nearly 200-km long (124 miles) bright blue flag on Saturday in a show of support for the landlocked country’s bid to regain sovereign access to the sea. Tens of thousands of Bolivians held the so-called“flag of maritime revindication,” which stretched like a long ribbon along a highway in the Andes between the towns Oruro and Apacheta, on the outskirts of La Paz. The display of patriotism aims to cheer on Bolivia’s legal team ahead of oral arguments it will deliver at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding the country’s claim to sovereign access to Chile’s Pacific coast. Bolivia lost its access to the Pacific Ocean in a late 19th century war with Chile, but maintains a navy and wants a corridor to the sea to boost its exports of natural gas and minerals. “We’ll show the International Court of Justice and all people on the planet that our cause is just, reasonable and sound,” President Evo Morales said after flying over the flag in a helicopter."
‘People still love America’: Flag cruises show support for military, first responders - Laramie Boomerang
"A 2005 Dodge Ram comes roaring past, catching the attention of the pedestrians and other drivers in its vicinity. A pickup is not an unusual sight in the rural state of Wyoming, but the large American, Prisoner of War and state flags rippling proudly over the truck bed are. Behind the wheel is Jaren Long, a Wyoming Army National Guardsman who said he wants to show his support for the military, law enforcement and first responders. “Growing up, everything was so patriotic, you know, and I feel like we’re living in a world now where patriotism is shown to kids as a bad thing in a lot of circumstances,” he said. “And I just kind of want the community to see people still love America.” A “flag cruise” involves driving through town with flags affixed to one’s vehicle. For some, this means 4-by-6-inch red, white and blue flags attached to a sedan. For Long and many other flag-cruisers, it means full-size flags of all varieties waving from sturdy poles mounted in the bed of a pickup. Long said his flags show support for veterans, police, firefighters and paramedics. His group, Laramie Flag Cruises, however, would welcome cruisers with most kinds of flags, whether they fly the Gadsden flag known for its rattlesnake and ‘Don’t Tread on Me’ slogan, the rainbow gay pride flag, or a flag supporting any number of political causes."
Oscars 2018: Here's why stars are wearing orange American flag pins on the red carpet - USA Today
Awards show red carpets have become a place for celebrities to express their support for timely initiatives. At Sunday's Oscar Awards, we're seeing a new addition: Orange American flag pins. Stars will don the accessory from the advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety in support of gun violence prevention after the Florida school shooting. "Tonight, actors and allies will #WearOrange pins and ribbons on the #Oscars red carpet to bring awareness to gun violence prevention in the wake of the Parkland school shooting," the organization confirmed via Twitter Sunday. The shooting, which occurred on Feb. 14, killed 17 students and staff and injured 14 others at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. Lin-Manuel Miranda was one of the stars wearing the orange pin.
An American flag was destroyed and replaced with an ISIS flag at a Utah high school - The Washington Post
As territory for the Islamic State shrinks to ribbons around the Euphrates River in Syria, the militant group has repositioned itself in western Africa, Yemen and southwestern Utah. Wait, back up. Where? Officers in Hurricane, Utah, said Thursday that an American flag was ripped from a flagpole, desecrated, slashed and replaced with something resembling the notorious black ISIS banner. Authorities also discovered a truncated message scrawled on a wall: “ISIS IS COMI.” Police said that they referred the criminal act to the FBI, which concluded the incident was probably not connected to anyone in the terrorist group. Classes at Hurricane High School were held as scheduled Thursday and are expected to continue Friday, with police in the St. George suburb saying they are confident there is no danger to students or teachers.”
Local Group Displays Thousands Of Flags For Victims Of Gun Deaths - Indiana Public Media
“In the wake of the Parkland, Florida shooting, a group of local activists is bringing attention to gun violence by displaying thousands of flags only half a mile away from Jasper High School. One Dubois-County is an action-oriented community group. Members setup 2,400 white flags this week to represent gun deaths since 2014. Each flag represents 25 people who died from a gunshot, not including suicides, gang or domestic violence. There are another 695 orange flags forming a heart in the middle of the display. They represent victims killed in mass shootings since Columbine, and include the victims’ names and ages. The group describes a mass shooting as an incident where more than four people die, not including the shooter. Nancy Habig is a member of One Dubois-County. She says the group displayed the flags in her yard because it was close to the high school. She says after being on the school board for 32 years, she supports stricter gun laws. “I just want to stress that we not get too riled up with – or too caught up – in trying to prove each other’s statistics and argue about that,” she says. “It’s more about too many people dying. Too many kids dying.”
Woman Assumes Olympics Fan Is Flying a Confederate Flag. It Was Norwegian. - Time
"A news tip earlier this week that reported a Confederate flag flying beneath an American flag in the Greenwood neighborhood of Seattle, Washington was discovered to be a mistake — because the red and blue-striped flag was actually a Norwegian flag. The Seattle Times received the following tip from New York Times best-selling author Rebecca Morris after she believed that she saw a Confederate flag flying in her neighborhood: "Hi. Suddenly there is a Confederate flag flying in front of a house in my Greenwood neighborhood. It is at the north-east corner of 92nd and Palatine, just a block west of 92nd and Greenwood Ave N. I would love to know what this ‘means’ … but of course don’t want to knock on their door. Maybe others in the area are flying the flag? Maybe it’s a story? Thank you." However, a more thorough examination revealed that it was actually a Norwegian flag was flying at the house of Darold Norman Strangeland,…”
Editorial: Black Lives Matter flags banners of hope - Burlington Free Press
"The raising of the Black Lives Matter flag at Burlington High School on Monday should serve as a banner of hope in a time when our society seems so divided over race. The BLM flag should be seen as a call to recognize the everyday racism, big and small, faced by people of color in the community, and as a call to have the honest discussion about race that needs happen throughout the state. Those who shout back, “all lives matter” in response to the Black Lives Matter banner deny the very real racism that is the daily reality of many black and other people of color, even in Vermont. Those who smear Black Lives Matter as a movement of racists and terrorists are merely reflecting their own hate triggered by having to confront their privilege. The Black Lives Matter has never been about placing black lives above all others. Violence against police has never been a part of the mainstream movement. Stray calls to “kill cops” recorded at a few massive rallies hardly represent the vast majority who seek justice and an end to racial violence. The Black Lives Matter movement is a plea in the face of evidence that the dominant culture in this country continues to devalue the lives of black people.”
Shaun White apologizes for letting American flag drag on the ground after winning gold - The Washington Post
"Shaun White apologized Wednesday for letting an American flag drag on the ground in the aftermath of his dramatic victory in the snowboard halfpipe. White authored what will undoubtedly go down as one of the most indelible sequences of the PyeongChang Olympics Wednesday, winning his third Olympic gold medal with a masterful final run and immediately launching into a highly emotional celebration. However, that happy moment was marred for more than a few viewers because of the way the 31-year-old handled the flag. At a news conference in PyeongChang Wednesday afternoon, the four-time Olympian said he wasn’t aware he’d let the flag touch the ground. “I remember being handed the flag. I was trying to put my gloves on and hold the flag and the board,” he said. “Honestly, if there was anything, I definitely didn’t mean any disrespect. The flag that’s flying on my house right now is way up there. Sorry for that. But I’m definitely proud — very proud — to be a part of Team USA and being an American and to be representing for everyone back home.”
Mike Ashley bans Newcastle flags display v Manchester United? – 100% predictable - The Mag
"Sunday morning has seen the Newcastle fans behind the Flags displays reveal that there won’t be anything on show at the Manchester United match today. The ‘Wor Hyem’ fans group have used their Twitter account to inform everybody that due to ‘restrictions’ they are ‘unable to put on a display today’. When the excellent flags banner was revealed before the Burnley match, using the Kevin Keegan quote about Mike Ashley (see below), most supporters assumed that this would mean the end of the flag displays. However, local media then claimed that Mike Ashley wasn’t going to ban them, only now for this mornings news to appear to contradict that.. Reading between the lines, the fan group are being very diplomatic in what they are saying, so maybe safe to assume that this is maybe a yellow card rather than a red issued by the Fat Controller. Today’s match against Manchester United is arguably the biggest of the season and very likely to have the largest worldwide TV audience of the season as well. So Mike Ashley wanting to avoid any chance of him being so publicly embarrassed, with possibly flags returning (with restrictions….????) for the non-televised lower profile home game with Southampton on 10 March?"
Lisbon plans Founder’s Day pancake - Morning Journal News
Our Customers in the News
"Lisbon’s 11th annual Founder’s Day will be celebrated on Saturday with a pancake breakfast at the Methodist Church. The breakfast will run from 8-11:30 a.m. The cost is $6 for adults, $3 for children 6-12 and free for those 5 and under. The Founder’s Day event will celebrate the birthday of Lisbon, which is Feb. 16, 1803. This year’s event will celebrate the Lisbon flag with two flags of Lisbon being presented later at village hall. Proceeds from the breakfast will go toward paying for the flags, which were a part of a similar anniversary celebration more than 100 years ago. According to The Ohio Patriot — a newspaper from Sept. 12, 1913 and provided by Stevie Halverstadt — Lisbon celebrated Lisbon’s Old Home Week with the adoption of a new flag. Held as a celebration of the 110th anniversary of the founding of the town, it reportedly was an event attended by hundreds. Several local dignitaries spoke at the event about the history of the village. During the ceremony, the Lisbon Business Association presented the flag during the two-day celebration. Halverstadt notes Lisbon’s flag was initially the same as the town’s namesake in Portugal. However, in 1913 both Lisbon, Portugal, and Lisbon, Ohio, updated their flags. Halverstadt said the new colors of the flag were blue and white. However, the Lisbon, Ohio, blue was modified to a royal blue from navy blue. According to Halverstadt this was done “so they didn’t show political party partiality.” "
American Flag That Flew Over Groton Flown To Olympics With Skeleton Crew - Caledonian Record
"An American flag that briefly flew over the Groton Fire Department last fall made its way this week to the site of the Olympic games, contested later this month in Pyeongchang, South Korea. The flag was one of four sent throughout the country as part of the Team USA Bobsled and Skeleton American Flag First Responders Relay. It is a project created by Matthew Troy, a filmmaker serving as the videographer for the bobsled and skeleton teams, based in Lake Placid, N.Y. The idea for the project came to Troy last summer, when he was with the Olympic athletes for a “flag etiquette” presentation given by one of the athletes (and member of the US Military). “Attending that presentation reminded me of my time with the National Honor Guard Academy, and the pride that came with learning how to properly handle and display a symbol of unity and pride in our nation,” Troy stated. “That’s where the idea of this project came up, because I thought that if I am filled with such pride and patriotic sentiment in being a volunteer for the team, maybe relaying a few flags across the United States would be a way to capture the spirit of first responders that we could somehow pass to the Team.” He likened the relay aspect of the flags going from state to state with the relay of the Olympic torch. "
Business owners concerned rules over fluttering flags could mean fluttering business - WINK News
"Fluttering, feather flags, pennants and other signs are a common sight along the US-41 business corridor in Charlotte County. For business owners like Tonya Marx, the additional signage is a tool to get people through the door. “Before we ever had those signs, nobody even knew we were here,” Marx said, “Now that we have the signs up, we get people stopping here and I’m like ‘how did you find out about us?’ and they say from the signs out front.” But soon you’ll see fewer of these signs in Charlotte County. Starting April 1, signs can only go on display for 90 days a year, broken into two 45-day periods and business owners have to get a permit each time. Charlotte county zoning official Shaun Cullinan said, “We were starting to get a lot of complaints … that it was starting to look kind of dumpy, trashy. People felt that it was too much. … we felt it was time to improve the aesthetics of our commercial corridor.” But business owners say the new rules will hurt their bottom line."
First World War-era hospital flags to “fly again” thanks to generous donation - North Norfolk News
"They once marked the location of two temporary First World War hospitals in North Walsham where the Red Cross nursed injured troops. Today the white and red pennants have turned grey with age, and languish in the parish church where they have been stored for years. But a joint initiative between the vicar and the Friends of North Walsham War Memorial Hospital is providing replicas to remind people of the town’s nursing heritage. And it has been made possible by a donation from a well-known local shopkeeper and musician with connections to both organisations. A collection in memory of musician Denis Payne, who died in November 2016 aged 86, is being used to provide two £300 replicas for the church where he used to play keyboards at funerals, and where he gave visitors tours of its history. And the Friends group is buying one to put in the hospital which cared for Mr Payne, who ran the family sweet shop in town for many years, when he was ill in later life. The church flags will go in the war memorial chapel which honours 99 men who served their country but did not return home."
Daily Mail apologises to Nicola Sturgeon over flag story - BBC News
"The Scottish Daily Mail has published an apology to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon over its story about flying the Union flag. It had reported that Ms Sturgeon "decreed" that the flag should not be flown over dozens of public buildings to mark royal events. The Mail said it was "happy" to clarify that the decision was taken by former First Minister Alex Salmond in 2010. Ms Sturgeon said the original story was "utterly false". In its clarifications and corrections section, the Mail said: "We are happy to clarify that the decision to change the policy on flag flying was taken and implemented by former First Minister Alex Salmond in 2010. "The Protocol and Honours Team updated operational guidance in December 2017. "We accept that the policy did not change under Nicola Sturgeon and that she had no involvement in the Protocol and Honours Team updating the operational guidance on flag flying for 2018."
Oklahoma School for the Blind receives Braille American flags - The Norman Transcript
"Raised stars and stripes can help Oklahoma School for the Blind students gain a better understanding of the American flag, officials said. WoodmenLife, a fraternal insurance carrier, presented 20 tactile Braille American flags, plus a framed Braille flag, to OSB history students Tuesday. Fraternal Coordinator Billie Floyd said the company is helping the Braille flag's creator, Randolph Cabral, reach his goal of placing a flag in each school for the visually impaired in the United States. OSB is the first school to get such flags, Floyd said. "WoodmenLife has distributed more than 3 million (regular) American flags," Floyd said. "We started the patriotic program in 1947... We're adding on to our patriotic program with the Braille flags. OSB Principal Lynn Cragg accepted the donation. "It's an honor that visually impaired students, who maybe are Braille users, can access the flag and understand how it is set out," Cragg said. OSB student John Duong, 15, said he plans to put his flag in his room. "It means freedom and peace for me," Duong said. "
Why won't Team USA dip its flag at Olympic opening ceremonies? - PRI
"It's an Olympic tradition: As teams from around the world parade in a grand opening ceremony, they briefly lower their flags in a show of respect as they pass the host nation's officials. But at the Rio 2016 opening ceremony, you'll notice that Team USA won't lower their flag. Indeed, the United States has a long tradition of ignoring this gesture. Legend says it all started in 1908, when flag bearer Ralph Rose, an Irish American shot putter, refused to dip the US flag at the London Olympics. "The suspicion is that because the Irish team then had to compete under the Union Jack, he refused to dip the flag to the Union Jack and to British officials, in protest," says Edgar B. Herwick III, who runs the Curiosity Desk at WGBH. For a while after that, US flag protocol at the Olympics was a hodgepodge. "We dipped it in Sweden in 1912. We didn’t dip in Belgium in 1920. We dipped again in Paris in 1924," says Herwick. It became a solid tradition for the United States to not dip the flag in 1936. Then, both the Summer and Winter Olympics were in Germany. Hitler’s Germany."
North, South Korea agree to march under ‘unification flag’ at Olympic opening ceremony - TheStar.com
"The rival Koreas agreed Wednesday to form their first unified Olympic team and have their athletes parade together for the first time in 11 years during the opening ceremony of next month’s Winter Olympics in South Korea, officials said. The agreements still require approval from the International Olympic Committee. But they are the most prominent steps toward rapprochement achieved by the Koreas since they recently began exploring co-operation during the Olympics following a year of heightened tension over the North’s nuclear weapons program. During their third day of talks at the border in about a week, senior officials reached a package of agreements including fielding a joint women’s ice hockey team and marching together under a “unification flag” depicting their peninsula during the opening ceremony, Seoul’s Unification Ministry said."
Mississippi could become the first US state to have 2 official flags because of a dispute over the Confederacy - Business Insider
"A Mississippi lawmaker is proposing a solution that he hopes will finally bring an end to one of the state's most divisive issues, The Wall Street Journal reported. Earlier this month, Republican Rep. Greg Snowden filed a bill that would allow two flag designs to officially represent the state. If the measure passes, Mississippi would be the only US state with two flags. Mississippi's current flag, which features the symbol for the Confederacy, would be left untouched. A proposed second flag would bring back an old design used on the state's official flag from 1861 until the end of the Civil War in 1865. That design features a magnolia tree in the center of the flag and a white star against a blue background in the top-left corner, replacing the controversial Confederate emblem currently in its place."
Curious Texas: Why can Texas fly its flag at the same height as the U.S. flag? - Dallas News
"Jerry Hilton from Arlington asks: Is Texas the only state that can fly its state flag at the same height as the U.S. flag? Also what is the height of the Capitol? Texans are special for a lot of reasons, but this isn't one of them. As the oft-repeated story goes, because Texas was once an independent nation, it is the only state that can fly its flag at the same height as the U.S. flag. The story isn't exactly right. All states can fly their flags at the same height as the U.S. flag, with some stipulations. The U.S. Flag Code is a set of guidelines that recommend how to display the flag. Although there is no penalty for breaking the code, it stipulates that no other flag may be placed in "superior prominence" to the U.S. flag. For example, if multiple flags share the same pole, the U.S. flag must fly at the peak."
New resting place available for flags that have served their time - Morning Journal
"Whether flown over the graves of veterans until faded, frayed from months of flapping outside halls of justice or worn from being trundled up and down the flagpole in a working family’s front yard each morning and night, American flags that have served their time can be disposed of with dignity, thanks to a local veterans’ group. The Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1064 of East Liverpool provides special flag boxes in several locations for those whose American flags need replaced, and one of those boxes has now been relocated for better access to the public. According to members Ray Talbott and Bill Ash, the box which had sat in the entryway of the local Elks Lodge for some time was moved onto the sidewalk when the Elks enclosed the entry. "
Flag & Banner ringing in 2018 with new shiny, golden tradition - THV 11
"A large, metallic gold flag flies high above the headquarters of Flag and Banner to ring in the new year. It was the idea of Flag and Banner founder, Kerry McCoy, after seeing similar flags in New York on a recent trip. “I went to Rockefeller Center in New York last month and was in awe of the shimmering, gold flags that were flying on their flag poles,” said McCoy. “It’s hard to describe the effect. The cloth is very lightweight, which means the flags really move in the wind, and the gold color is almost luminescent.” So, she came home and had one made for Flag and Banner. Constructed of an extremely lightweight lamé material with a metallic gold thread, the flag is a show stopper. She has been getting numerous calls a day since the flag went up asking about its significance and how to order one. McCoy’s hope is that a new tradition will begin where each January of every new year gold flags will fly as a symbol of hope."
PATRIOTIC HONOR PROMPTS BIG RESPONSE - Coeur d'Alene/Post Falls Press
" A spontaneous, final honor for a veteran who had died has sparked widespread praise and prompted Post Falls residents to donate flags and money so the act can be repeated for other veterans who die in the city, outside a medical facility. When Post Falls Police Department personnel were investigating the death by natural causes of Bill McRory, 70, on Thursday, Detective Neil Uhrig used his own money to have officers purchase an American flag to honor the veteran with respect, Chief Scot Haug said. “When the funeral home arrived, our officers and detectives covered the veteran with the flag as he was transferred to the funeral home vehicle," Haug wrote in an online comment. "We had not done this before, but after listening to the impact this had on the officers and the family, we are considering it for all future death investigations involving veterans.” The gesture that Haug highlighted also had an impact on community members who responded over the weekend by dropping off flags and monetary donations to buy them for similar future cases. Mia McRory, a daughter of Bill’s, said her family was extremely thankful for the gesture. Bill served in the Navy from 1965 to 1971 during the Vietnam War. He loved the Pittsburgh Steelers, watching football, fishing, woodworking and spending time with his children and grandchildren."
EU flags appear in 'peaceful protest' against Brexit in Worcestershire - Worcester News
" EUROPEAN Union flags have appeared across Worcestershire as part of a 'peaceful protest' against Brexit. Activists have targeted landmarks around Malvern and also planted smaller flags on Worcester's Whittington roundabout. Worcestershire County Council has pledged to remove the signs on the roundabout as soon as possible. The EU Flag Mafia has claimed responsibility for draping the flags over Malvern's Elgar statue and the Malvern Link railway station footbridge. A spokesman for the group said: "Our official stance is that the EU is not perfect, but Brexit is not the answer. "Hanging flags is peaceful protest, cheeky British humour with a serious message." It is not yet clear who planted the mini-EU flags on Whittington roundabout. Steven Mather, a spokesman for Worcestershire for Europe, said: "We are not aware that the EU flags were planted by any of our members, so we assume it was a member of the public."
The 50-Star American Flag Began as a High School Project—and It Only Got a B - Reader’s Digest
"After learning about Betsy Ross, you probably didn’t give much thought to how the subsequent U.S flags were designed. It might seem like a no-brainer; flagmakers just added a new star for every new state, right? Well, turns out it’s not that simple. Each new flag has a very careful design, and the arrangement of the stars must be precise and symmetrical. And for the flag we know today, that arrangement was designed by a high schooler—before Alaska and Hawaii were even states. In 2009, the designer, Bob Heft, told his tale to StoryCorps. It was 1958, and America only contained 48 United States. The flag at that time featured six rows of eight stars. Heft’s history teacher assigned a class project where each student had to bring in something they made. Having been “inspired by the Betsy Ross story,” and hearing rumblings that Alaska and Hawaii could both soon gain statehood, Heft decided to make a 50-star flag. So he made some adjustments to his parents’ 48-star flag, brought it in, and triumphantly placed it on his teacher’s desk."
Southern Miss professor starts flag collection: 'Statement of quiet support' - Hattiesburg American
" Russ Willis has always been interested in foreign countries and international travel. As a kid, the University of Southern Mississippi assistant teaching professor would look up foreign countries in the encyclopedia to find out about the languages spoken there and what the customs were like. Now, as a teacher in the Department of Management and International Business, he meets foreign students and always has questions for them. "How do they like it here? How did they get here?" Willis said. "Have they gotten acclimated? Have they met friends? "I want to be sure I'm reaching out to them so they're having a good experience." In his six years of teaching, Willis estimates he has had 50-60 international students in his classes. "One of the great, rewarding experiences for me is I get to teach students from all over the world," he said. "It speaks highly of our programs at USM that we are attracting international students."
A Year Later, New City Flag Project Still Bubbling Behind the Scenes - Free Times
" In January 2017, talks began circulating about creating a new flag for the City of Columbia. However, nearly a year later, the old light blue flag garnished with corn and cotton still flies above City Hall. But that might not be the case for too much longer. City officials say the flag issue is still brewing behind the scenes. At-large City Councilman Howard Duvall, who has been working on the new flag project since talks got started nearly a year ago, says he plans on encouraging Council to finish the process in early 2018. “It’s on my to-do list for the new year,” Duvall told Free Times. “I feel like we are going to [have a new flag]."
Shelters put out white flags with cold temperatures - Tristatehomepage.com
"Tuesday night is going to be a cold on in the Tri-State. And for some people, that can be dangerous and even deadly. If you or someone you know is homeless, there are emergency options. Shelters call these nights "white flag events." Shelters will fly a white flag outside for people needing a haven from the weather. In Evansville, there's the Rescue Mission on Walnut St. and the United Caring Shelter downtown. Owensboro has the Daniel Pitino Shelter and St. Benedict's Homeless Shelter."
Statesville leaders leave American flag size standards in place - Statesville Record & Landmark
"A tennis-court-sized American flag still won’t fly over Camping World’s dealership south of Exit 49 on Interstate 77 after a divided city council voted Monday to leave Statesville’s flag regulations unchanged. It was the second time Camping World was blocked from having any chance to legally install a 40-by-80-foot flag on the grounds of its dealership at 1220 Morland Drive. The city denied a request by Camping World in August 2015 to fly an oversized flag there. The flag issue was run up the pole again on Dec. 4 when Councilman John Staford asked city staff members to explore ways to exempt Old Glory from Statesville’s 8-by-12-foot size limits for flags flown at businesses. The renewed flag flap began in June when Marcus Lemonis, CEO of the Bowling Green, Kentucky-based Camping World, called out Statesville to his 1.3 million Twitter followers as one of a dozen cities nationwide that wouldn’t allow oversized American flags at the company’s dealerships. Camping World began installing the flags in 2014."
Korean battle flags tied to Kim Jong Un ancestor unearthed at US Naval Academy - Fox News
"Korean battle flags purportedly connected to Kim Ung-u, a direct ancestor of Kim Jong Un, were found this month at the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Naval Institute (USNI) said Friday. Workers had been opening display cases for the first time since 1920 to remove British flags, according to the institute in Annapolis, Maryland. “Staff from the Naval Academy Museum found several dozen flags hidden behind the framework including the Korean standards that are still vivid.” It's likely the flags were kept behind other items on display because there just wasn't enough space to show them all, officials said. The USNI said the USS General Sherman, a merchant ship, went to Pyongyang in 1866 to try opening the country to trade - but Koreans, believing the ship’s purpose was to loot temples, murdered the crew and set the ship ablaze."
'This Shasta County group participates in Flag and Flower Challenge - KRCR News 7
"A group from Shasta County took on the Preston Sharp Flag and Flower Challenge Monday, placing flags and flowers on the graves of veterans at the Millville Cemetery. Preston Sharp created the challenge after he organized a goal of placing more than 17,500 flags and flowers at cemeteries across Northern California. Sharp began placing a flag and a flower on the graves of veterans in 2015 at the age of ten, creating a lot of buzz in the Northstate and across the country. United Shasta decided to take on the challenge and placed 70-100 flags and flowers to honor the veterans and said a few words to the fallen. United Shasta member, Robert Balke, set up the gathering with the help of Shasta County Supervisor for District 5, Les Baugh. "We've honored some of the veterans out here at the Millville Cemetery. We actually ran out of flags and flowers so we will be back," said Balke. Balke said he wants to keep the challenge going so he's challenging more people to participate."
'This gift represents our country': Flags flown at U.S. Capitol arrive in Killeen - Killeen Daily Herald
" Reaching out from the corridors of the U.S. Congress, a Central Texas congressman delivered a pair of special flags to two new schools in the Killeen Independent School District on Friday. First at Roy J. Smith Middle School and then at Alice W. Douse Elementary School, both in Killeen, field representative Don Nicholas of U.S. Rep. Roger Williams’ office made delivery of folded, cased flags to the schools. The flags each flew over the U.S. Capitol building on Sept. 11. An official certificate verified the flags’ authenticity. In brief ceremonies at each school, KISD Superintendent John Craft greeted Nicholas and told students and staff that Williams is a good friend of the school district and the community. His support of federal Impact Aid and other programs directly benefits the public school system, Craft said. At Smith, he told students that such aid is critical for starting programs like the Middle School STEM Academy located at the new Smith Middle School."
Flags of 3 First Nations permanently installed at Vancouver City Hall - CBCNews | British Columbia
" Vancouver City Council has installed the flags of three First Nations in recognition of Vancouver's traditional Indigenous territories. The flags will be permanent fixtures at City Hall's council chambers. On Wednesday, the city raised the flags of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh nations. Representatives from each nation were present along with Mayor Gregor Robertson. Robertson said the gesture was meant to "to permanently acknowledge Vancouver's location on Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh unceded homelands."
NO PLACE FOR ANTISEMITISM IN GERMANY, MINISTER SAYS AFTER ISRAELI FLAGS BURNED- The Jerusalem Post
"German Justice Minister Heiko Maas said there was no place for anti-Semitism in Germany after demonstrators angered by US President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel burned Israeli flags in Berlin. On Sunday, about 2,500 people demonstrated in Berlin against Trump's decision and one Israeli flag was burned, police said, adding that investigations into 11 people had been launched, with one of those related to the flag burning. On Friday, hundreds of people gathered outside the US embassy in the German capital for "Day of Rage" protests. Police said later on Twitter that they had detained 10 people during the protest and that 12 criminal charges had been brought - including for burning Israeli flags. Maas told Bild newspaper's Monday edition: "Any kind of antisemitism is an attack on everyone. Antisemitism must never be allowed to have a place (in society) again."
Ohio moves to stop bans on 'Thin Blue Line' flags- PoliceOne.com
" As a way to pay tribute to his fellow officers, retired Columbus Police Sgt. Daniel Guthrie flew the Thin Blue Line flag at his New Albany condominium. The flag, however, violated the rules of his condo association, Rocky Ridge Condominium Complex, so he was forced to take it down. In an effort to ensure that won't happen again, Reps. Anne Gonzales, R-Westerville, and Tim Ginter, R-Salem, came up with a bill that would prevent landlords, mobile-home parks, condo associations and the like from restricting the display of Thin Blue Line flags. The flag, known to some as a Blue Lives Matter flag, is a black and white version of the stars and stripes with a blue line through the center. The Thin Blue Line represents police maintaining order during times of chaos. "With individuals being able to display the flag, they will be able to display respect for officers who bravely put their lives in danger," Ginter said.”
KENYANS REACT TO BILL SEEKING TO ALLOW PEOPLE FLY FLAGS IN HOMES - Nairobi News
"Kenyans online have a lot to say about Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Junior’s new Bill seeking to allow people to fly the national flag in their homes. The senator published a Bill which proposes to amend the National Flag, Emblems and Names Act to allow members of the public to fly the National Flag in their places or residence, work an business. In a Twitter reply, Mutula termed the flag a symbol of unity while defending his Bill, which has eliciting mixed reactions.”
Century-old flags rediscovered in Mahan Hall at Naval Academy - Capital Gazette
"Talk about a find. This week Naval Academy Museum officials started a project to remove, preserve and place 13 flags from the War of 1812 and two Spanish-American War flags into proper storage, said museum Director Claude Berube. The artifacts had remained untouched for nearly a century in the academy’s Mahan Hall. And those were just the flags they could see. They have the 13 flags from America’s last war with Britain, the two from the Spanish-American War — and 46 more they found hidden behind those artifacts. Those flags were captured during American military actions in Asia and the Spanish-American War. There were also some replicas of Revolutionary War-era flags. They were put on display in five cases inside Mahan in 1913 but covered up by the larger War of 1812 flags in 1920. The cases were sealed with a single pane of glass and remained untouched until Tuesday when the glass was cut away. Officials have long believed the artifacts were still tucked away in the cases, but no one is alive who remembers the exhibits being covered up so they didn’t know for sure, museum Managing Director Charles Swift said.”
Illinois Bicentennial Flags Fly - Peoria Public Radio
"Communities across the state raised a very special flag Monday. The Illinois Bicentennial flag raising happened at municipal and county buildings and complexes over the noon hour. It also served as the kick-off of the state’s yearlong bicentennial celebration at the local level. The City of East Peoria hoisted its bicentennial flag on the center pole at city hall. Jill Petersen is the public affairs communicator for the City of East Peoria. She says it’s an opportunity for the Illinois residents to celebrate the people, places, and things that have helped sustained Illinois statehood over the last 200 years. “We have done some very great things. We’ve produced four-American Presidents. Our typography is really awesome! It’s a really diverse great state and I don’t think sometimes people give it enough credit to say, ‘hey I live in Illinois! It’s a really cool place,’” Peterson said.”
Keys residents burn hurricane flags to mark end of season - AP News
"Florida Keys residents have doused hurricane flags in rum and burned them to mark the end of the tumultuous 2017 Atlantic hurricane season. The Thursday evening ceremony came after three major hurricanes — Harvey, Irma and Maria — pummeled parts of the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Irma’s impact varied in the Keys. Most Key Largo and Key West residents and businesses were either little affected or have recovered. In other parts of the island chain, especially the Big Pine Key region, recovery has been much slower. The flag-burning ceremony attracted about 400 people and included a speech by the Keys emergency management director praising the resilience and spirit of the area’s citizens.”
Peace, atheists flags to fly together in Somersworth - fosters.com
"A flag-raising scheduled for Citizen’s Place will include a flag that symbolizes religious tolerance as well as a flag that symbolizes freedom from religion. Citizen’s Place is a small traffic island next to Somersworth City Hall and home to the Ten Commandments monument. There are two flag poles that can be used to fly flags for various groups and events. Mayor Dana Hilliard announced earlier this week that the atheist flag would be raised at 4:30 p.m. Monday with the peace flag scheduled to be raised the following Friday, in honor of Pearl Harbor Day. On Wednesday, Hilliard announced he would raise both flags side by side at the same ceremony on Monday. “I was already planning to raise the peace flag on Pearl Harbor Day to honor those who were lost and the lesson learned from the ashes of WWII,” Hilliard said. “It taught us how understanding each other’s differences leads to peace, and how we must stand strong against those who do not believe in tolerance.” Hilliard said the peace flag also symbolizes the holiday season where secular and non-secular celebrations come together, allowing individuals to honor their traditions.”
‘Fun with Flags’ at Francesca Minini, Milan - BlouinArtinfo
" Fun with Flags” an exhibition by Riccardo Prevadi, deals with complexity of the present times, by overlapping images of the various country’s flags and evoking glimpses of warring countries. Riccardo sets out explore the major themes of our times in three bodies of work: the large scale pictures of “Red Carpet”, the tables of “Fun with Flags” and the sealed bags of “Vacuum” (Celebrity dresses). In “Fun with Flags” the subjects printed are the flags of bordering countries, both in Europe and around the world, that have been at war, or that are now at war or might be in future. Superimposing one flag a country on another and altering the geometric and chromatic combinations of these flags, the artist is able to capture the stories of conflict that these nations have been generating over the years. The pieces of ”Vacuum” contain the imitations of celebrity dresses that have appeared on the red carpet and ironically have been delivered by online e-marketing sites, within weeks of being worn by top notch celebrities. This is an attempt to immortalize the surrounding landscape where everything seems to be so fleeting and ephemeral.”
Debate over Bellevue Cemetery decorations: Should foreign flags be displayed? - Omaha World Herald
"National flags proved a sticking point in the latest disagreements over what should be permitted on graves in the Bellevue Cemetery. Allen Holley, a 13-year volunteer on the Bellevue Cemetery Committee, told the City Council on Monday night that he does not want foreign flags to be allowed in the public cemetery. A Union Jack representing the United Kingdom sits on the grave of Nick Jones’ mother. An American flag sits next to his father’s grave. It’s a way to honor the World War II service of both of his parents, Jones told the council. His mother served the British. Veterans and citizens lined up on Monday to discuss proposed cemetery regulations. One of the most notable changes would be to allow any national flag instead of just U.S. flags. Currently the wording of the ordinance governing cemetery decorations specifies U.S. flags as permitted, but other national flags, like the Union Jack, have not been taken down."
WWII veteran gets help from Georgia community to retire worn American flag - Fox News
"A Georgia community came together Saturday to help a 90-year-old World War II veteran give his worn American and Naval flags a proper sendoff. Local Boy Scouts, including Eagle Scouts, in the Atlanta suburb of Roswell performed the proper ceremony to take down and retire the flags belonging to Frank Coleman, who enlisted in the Navy in 1944 during World War II. Coleman later became an aviator, serving in the Vietnam War as a squadron commander. "I'm very honored," Coleman told FOX 5 Atlanta. Maurice Hilliard, a long-time friend of Coleman, had previously given him new flags to replace the old ones hanging on a flag pole, but the veteran wanted to wait for the proper ceremony to take place to retire the well-worn Stars and Stripes. "He said you can’t just take them down and throw it away," Hilliard said. That gave the scouts, who are trained to help others properly retire a flag, a chance to meet the 90-year-old veteran who was also an Eagle Scout in 1942."
Walsh University holds annual International Flag Ceremony - North Neighbor News
"Walsh University celebrated its diverse student population as part of International Education Week by holding its annual International Flag Ceremony. The event is its fourth year and is hosted by the International Club. The heart of the event is when students from around the world who attend Walsh proudly walk their flag on stage, shake hands with President Richard Jusseaume and introduce themselves to the audience. “We have students attending Walsh from all over the world, this year we have the highest enrollment with 106 international students,” Walsh Director of International Student Services Kristi Campbell said. Campbell said the event provides a great opportunity for the campus community as well as the surrounding communities to meet the international students and learn about their cultures. Attendees were also treated to samplings of desserts from around the world, many made by the international students. The Walsh University Chorale performed. There was also a musical piece performed by Carolina Bejarano Eyl and Melisa Valle and Nepali Folk Dance was performed by Roja Baruwal."
Why Teach Kids About Other Countries’ Flags and National Anthems Before the 2020 Tokyo Olympics? - Japan Forward
"In the lead up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, elementary and middle schools in the Koto Ward of Tokyo have started teaching students about the national flags and anthems of countries around the world on July 20th. Koto Ward is set to play host to 19 Olympics and Paralympics sporting events, which is more than any other wards and cities. A representative of Koto Ward’s Board of Education emphasized the significance of the classes: “It is very important that we foster an attitude of respect and knowledge regarding the flags and anthems of other nations when welcoming people from around the world.” The classes form part of Tokyo Prefecture’s “Global Friendship Project,” covering history and culture, while also promoting exchange. Countries and regions to be studied by each school are divided between schools in the ward. In the three years leading up to the games, all students from fourth year elementary school to third year middle school will participate in the flag and anthem classes. The classes are organized by the chairman of the Research Institute of National Flags of the World, former flag specialist of the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games Committee and Nagano Winter Olympic Games protocol advisor Tadamasa Fukiura, 76, and soprano singer Masako Shindo, 56, who is capable of singing the national anthems of over 70 nations. Mr. Fukiura has contributed the following exposition on the challenges of national flags and anthems."
Some unfamiliar with rules for displaying the U.S. flag - Dothan Eagle
"Q: Why do some major buildings not follow the rules of displaying the American flag, including that flags displayed at night should be properly illuminated? A: Probably because some people are unfamiliar with the rules and do not realize that they are not being followed. Public Law 94-344, known as the Federal Flag Code, contains guidelines for handling and displaying the U.S. flag. The rules address a variety of situations. Some of the basics found in a government infographic titled “How to Display the American Flag” include:"
Flag Carried During Vikings Intros was Flown by U.S. Army Sgt. In Afghanistan - Vikings.com
"Army Sgt. David Waters wanted to say “thank you” to the Vikings, but they flipped the tables and expressed gratitude in a bigger way than he could imagine. Waters, a native of Florida, started following the Vikings at an early age because of his mother’s Minneapolis roots. “It was kind of a long-distance relationship,” Waters said of his connection to the team. Last year, it became even more long-distance. Waters joined the Army as a UAV operator in 2014, and in 2016 he was deployed and served in Afghanistan for nine months. “I love this country and want to give back to it and have an impact, however small it may be,” said Waters. While in Afghanistan, he sent an email to the Vikings. “It’s kind of boring in the desert, and I was looking for a kind of morale boost,” Waters said. “I just reached out. A couple weeks later, I got this nice box with some memorabilia, a lot of cool stuff. A handwritten note. I just thought it was really great. Waters wished to thank the team for so thoughtfully responding to his message. And then it came to him – the perfect, and unique, token of gratitude."
PHOTOS BUILDING COMMUNITY: Maynard’s Emma Bendall reuses old flags to honor veterans - Wicked Local Stow
"Some old American flags have been given a new life. When flags have been so badly battered by the wind and weather they can no longer be flown, they are typically disposed of in a special ceremony. However, Emma Bendall, of Maynard, thought of a better use for them. Working with Maynard High School’s National Honor Society, of which she was president during her senior year, and the Maynard Emblem Club, where she is also a member, she received permission to remove the stars from some large flags ready to be discarded. She, and fellow Honor Society members, cut out the small stars, put them in a bag with a short poem, and sent them to soldiers overseas and local veterans. “We completed about four flags throughout the year, cutting the stars out of retired flags,” Emma wrote in an email. The stars were also recently passed out at a special ceremony to honor veterans that live at Life Care Center of Acton, where Emma worked. “Recently, the Maynard Emblem Club received flags with much larger stars, so we cut those out and put them in a frame with the poem inscribed on a paper behind it,” Emma wrote. “These stars were distributed to veterans at local nursing homes."
PHOTOS: Some Say Nebraska's Flag Stinks — And They've Got Ideas To Fix It - NPR
"Apparently state lawmakers couldn't. In fact, for a span of 10 days earlier this year, not a single visitor to the Nebraska Capitol noticed that the flag had been hoisted upside down — not even state Sen. Burke Harr, who related the story in January. "It took someone drawing it to my attention before it was changed," he told the Legislature's Executive Board in January, according to the Omaha World-Herald. An awkward situation, to be sure — but the flap over the flag also drew his attention to something else: Is the official flag really such a muddle that the average observer can't tell its top from its bottom? The question alone stirred uncomfortable doubts for Harr, who says it doesn't have to be this way. Or, as he phrased it in the legislative resolution he introduced earlier this year, "the possibility of a better-designed, more iconic Nebraska flag exists."
Speaker: Why flags had trees, snakes, other flags … - Eden Prairie News
" When colonists of the British Empire wanted to irritate the mother country, they would take an imperial flag and put their own touch to it — thus, defacing it. Colonists upset about the Stamp Act taxes and other transgressions of their rulers took a British naval ensign and put a tree to share the space with the symbol of St. George’s cross. That corner field on a flag is called the canton. And that flag with the tree on it is called the Bunker Hill Flag, which dates to 1775. After a breakfast honoring veterans of the U.S. military, members of the Eden Prairie Senior Center heard a presentation about American flags on Wednesday, Nov. 8, from Eden Prairie resident Dick Middleton, a member of American Legion Post 580 in Chanhassen and a former instructor and officer at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York.
Column: Flags at half-staff mean it's mourning in America - Chicago Tribune
"When I was a rookie reporter all too long ago, I was lectured about A.P. style early and often, particularly regarding the issue of whether the U.S. flag is flown at half-mast or half-staff. We often say half-mast. But in almost every case, we are wrong. A flag can only fly at half-mast when it is aboard a ship, because only a ship has a mast. Generally, a flag flies on that tall, skinny thing sticking out of the ground or mounted atop a public building. That is a flag staff. So when the nation is in mourning, the flag is flying at half-staff. The flag at the park, the flag at city hall or the flag at the Capitol building would all be flying at half-staff — not half-mast — when the nation is in mourning. "Got it, kid reporter?" Yeah, I got it. But I remember thinking to myself at that time, "How often does that happen?" And back then, it didn't happen often at all. But things have changed in America.
Wayne Obermiller dedicates Banks district lawn to veterans with ten flags on 40- and 60-foot flagpoles - Michigan Live
"Wayne Obermiller has seen stars and stripes all his life. As a child, his family -- nearly all of whom served in a branch of the U.S. military at some point -- flew a small 3-by-5 foot U.S. flag outside his home. From an early age he hoped to someday fly a star-spangled banner of his own. Decades later, Obermiller, now 69, has realized that dream in a big way. Starting this Veteran's Day weekend, he'll fly not one, but 11 flags, including a 9-foot-by-12-foot U.S. Flag, from two 40- and 60-foot poles. He plans to make a 365-day commitment to commemorating veterans and celebrating the symbolism of the American flag outside his home at 901 N. Bangor St. in Bay City.
Field More than 700 flags placed on TMCC campus to honor student veterans - Orange County Register
"If you see the lawn of Truckee Meadows Community College covered in red, white, and blue -- it's for a good cause. November 6 kicked off Veteran's Week on the Dandini Campus in north Reno. The Truckee Meadows Veterans Club is celebrating the Marine Corps birthday and the more than 700 student veterans that attend the community college. Each flag planted into the ground represents a student veteran. Depending on weather, the display will stay on campus all week. You are encouraged to stop by and visit any time before Veterans Day on November 11."
Field of Valor in Orange honors veterans with display of 1,776 flags - Orange County Register
"World War II fighter planes soared over Handy Park in Orange Sunday morning, high above a display of 1,776 flags that painted the park red, white and blue in honor of veterans. This was the kick-off for the Third Annual Field of Valor, hosted by the Community Foundation of Orange. Along with its patriotic display and a series of educational events, the event serves as a fundraiser for many veterans charities. Community members sponsor flags, adorning them with a tag telling the story of a veteran – be it a friend, family member, fallen comrade, or somebody they just met at the event. The celebration of veterans has returned bigger than ever this year, with a daily flag lowering at 4:45 p.m. and nightly events with special guests. For a full schedule, visit communityfoundationoforange.org. The display will be open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily through Veteran’s Day, with a special closing ceremony at 4:45 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11."
Veteran invites public to take a different kind of knee while placing 8,000 flags at veteran graves - WDRB.com
"For weeks NFL players have been taking a knee during the singing of the national anthem. It’s a form of protest for the players, but a sign of disrespect to many veterans and military members. Saturday morning one veteran invited the community out to Cave Hill Cemetery to take a different kind of knee. It started by placing an American flag at every veteran’s grave inside the cemetery. “We had 503 people show up at the cemetery to put out 8,000 flags,” said a Fred Moore, a Navy and Marine Corps veteran who founded Flags for Vets. It's done out of honor for those who have died in past wars and those who have died more recently. “I have a great appreciation for the fact that a lot of people didn't come home,” Moore said. “And in these last few years with Iraq and Afghanistan we've added another 4,000 to the list.’ Moore invited the public to take a knee to pray and give thanks at the graves of the unknown soldiers. It's a different kind of knee seen from the National Football league. “I'm a strong advocate of freedom of speech, but I want people to know that I have freedom of speech as well. And now that you've done this thing and you take a knee, I don't think you have the foggiest idea what veterans have sacrificed for,” Moore said."
The One Color You Will Almost Never Find on National Flags - Reader's Digest
"There are 196 sovereign nations in the world, and, in turn, 196 national flags. But this one color is rarely seen on any of them. Purple is a color of regality. In 16th century England, Queen Elizabeth I banned anyone outside of the immediate royal family from wearing it. Prince adopted it as his primary color of choice. Grapes make wine and wine is drunk by kings, according to this Google Image Search of “kings drinking wine.” The above-mentioned associations seem to be largely positive, so why don’t we see countries using it in their national flags? According to After Skool, it all comes to down to cost. The first purple dyes were made in the 19th century from a very specific species of snail from the Mediterranean. But these snails weren’t just eternally spewing out canisters of the stuff, the process was much more labor-intensive; it would take 10,000 snails to produce just one gram of purple dye. So, purple was a color primarily reserved for the incredibly wealthy and it just wasn’t cost-effective to have to mass-produce a bunch of flags with the pricey hue."
Is next city flag in this group of finalists? - Post Bulletin
"The effort to design a new banner for Rochester is not flagging. In fact, it picked up speed Wednesday, as the first six finalists in the contest to design a city flag were announced at City Hall. Three flags selected by a panel of judges, along with three flags selected by public vote were unveiled. They will be part of a group of 12 finalists, from which a recommendation will be made to the City Council next spring. "There are common themes, even though they're so different," Lee Herold, a flag design consultant with the Rochester Flag Committee, said of the entries. "It draws you to what people see when you say Rochester." There are, for instance, references to health care, the local rivers, winter, and of course, the city's population of Canada geese — even though these days the geese are probably outnumbered by crows. Those similarities are especially interesting given that four of the final six designs in this first round are by people who don't live in Rochester.” [Read More…]
Posted on November 2, 2017
Iraq bans Israeli flags after Kurds wave them at independence rallies - The Times of Israel
" The Iraqi parliament voted on Tuesday to criminalize the flying of Israeli flags after the banners were held aloft at a number of Kurdish independence rallies ahead of a referendum in September. The vote to ban the flags from public spaces came at the request of Ammar al-Hakim, the Shiite leader of the Citizen Bloc, the Iraqi news agency AlSumaria reported. Israel has been among the only countries to openly support an independent Kurdish state, and many Kurds have welcomed the support, drawing accusations from Arab leaders that the referendum was a Zionist plot. Turkey fiercely opposed the referendum and has threatened sanctions against the region, reflecting its worries about its own sizable Kurdish minority." [Read More…]
Posted on November 1, 2017
#BlackMonday controversy sees ‘apartheid flags’ brought to protest - The South African
"A minority of #BlackMonday protesters have been accused of pushing a ‘racist’ agenda, after bringing along the old ‘apartheid flags’ used before 1994. Used from 1928 up to 1994, the flag itself is a nod to South Africa’s colonial history, featuring the Union Jack and Dutch-inspired emblems. Due to its use by the apartheid government, the flag has become symbolic for racist attitudes of that era. Unfortunately, a few have made an appearance today. The EFF’s Julius Malema also tweeted his disapproval of how the protest was being handled. He referred to taxi protests lead by black workers, and stated that the #BlackMonday protesters should face the same barrage of rubber bullets, due to ‘both parties blocking the roads illegally’." [Read More…]
Posted on October 31, 2017
Photo Journal: Flying the Olympic flags - The Mainichi
"The flags of all 206 member countries and regions of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) are seen hanging on the Palaceside Building in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward, home to The Mainichi Newspapers Co.'s head office, on Oct. 27, 2017. The decoration was put together to mark 1,000 days until the start of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which falls on Oct. 28, 2017. One of the reasons behind hanging all the brightly colored flags is to wish for a peaceful Olympics and Paralympics in 2020. Arranged in the same order as an Olympic procession -- from Greece all the way through to host nation Japan in alphabetical order -- the cloth flags cover many of the windows on the south side of the building, spanning six rows and 35 columns. The flags were draped between the night of Oct. 23 and the predawn hours of Oct. 27, and will remain on display until Nov. 5." [Read More…]
Posted on October 30, 2017
Patriotism flies high in Hemingford - The Hemingford Ledger
"A sea of red, white and blue. That’s what you will see if you’re in Hemingford on any patriotic holiday. Every morning on Veterans Day, Independence Day, Memorial Day and Flag Day, volunteers assume the task of carefully unfolding American casket flags and hanging them along the streets of Box Butte and Niobrara Avenues, along with plaques that display the name of the deceased veteran whose flag is flying. People have described this scene – known as the Avenue of Flags – as both stunning and patriotic. The flags, while visually beautiful, are also a somber reminder of our deceased loved ones who proudly served our country. Some of the flags date all the way back to the Civil War. The Avenue of Flags first appeared in Hemingford on Memorial Day of 1986. During that first year, 44 flags were flown." [Read More…]
Posted on October 27, 2017
Protester Throws Russian Flags At Trump As He Arrives For Capitol Hill Tax Lunch - NPR
"President Trump was met by a protester who threw Russian flags at him and chanted "Trump is treason!" as he arrived on Capitol Hill Tuesday to urge Senate Republicans to pass tax cuts. While the president was entering the weekly GOP lunch on Capitol Hill, escorted by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., a man appeared to have gotten inside the press scrum, throwing the small flags that had the word "TRUMP" emblazoned in gold." [Read More…]
Posted on October 25, 2017
Tired of waving its white flag, Scottsdale calls for city redesign - azcentral.com
"Scottsdale's flag is a real S.O.B. It's what flag design experts and enthusiasts call a "Seal on a Bedsheet." The flag, adopted in 1954, features the city’s seal — a mounted cowboy surrounded by a 64-pointed starburst — simply dropped on a white background. But now, Scottsdale is tired of waving its white flag. City officials say the design does not exemplify the desert beauty of “The West’s Most Western Town” and runs afoul of national design standards. So the city has made a call to the community: design a new flag. "Scottsdale hopes a new flag will become an immediately recognizable symbol of the proud and accomplished desert community known around the world for its blend of western heritage, natural beauty and modern art and culture," read a city statement announcing the design challenge." [Read More…]
Posted on October 24, 2017
Veterans show support for the flag in Perryville, MO - KFVS 12
"Veterans from the VFW Post 4282 in Perryville, Missouri joined other VFW members for a rally to show that they stand for the flag and will not kneel. They stood on the overpass of Highway T over I-55 in Perryville with their flags waving while traffic passes by underneath them. Many vehicles honked their horn to show their support. Veterans spoke out about why they feel the flag should be respected with standing during the national anthem. "We want them to see us out here showing that we have respect for this flag," Bob Herschbach said. "We're hoping that they take this with them on their travels wherever they're going and remember that they are able to drive these streets, these roads here because of us." [Read More…]
Posted on October 23, 2017
There's One Tiny Business Behind All Those Giant Flags - Deadspin
"It has become impossible to ignore the American flag at sporting events. This is, in part, because of the increasingly elaborate performance that is the pregame ceremony for the national anthem, in which the flag works as symbolic shorthand to represent whatever you want it to about the country, the troops, and only God knows what else. (Though God is very frequently in that list, too.) But it’s also because the flag itself—physically—is getting bigger. In recent years, NFL teams increasingly have turned to giant flags that take up the entire length of the field, sometimes for every single home game, while MLB teams opt for equally large ones to stretch through the outfield for special occasions like opening day and the postseason."
Pedestrian flags coming to crosswalks - Gulf Breeze News
"Grant Corbin, a student at Gulf Breeze Elementary School, wants drivers to be careful and those who are not quite old enough to get behind the wheel to be safe when they cross streets in his hometown. He brought an idea to Gulf Breeze City Council he thinks can focus attention on the issue and help make drivers and pedestrians more aware of safety issues at the Oct. 11 executive meeting. Members of the Council agreed. Grant latched on to the idea when his family visited St. Augustine Beach recently and he saw the plan in action. That city has placed containers filled with colorful flags at crosswalks. Those attempting to cross the streets on foot are encouraged, by signs posted nearby, to take a flag and wave it as they watch for traffic and then proceed in the crosswalk. Once they have safely arrived on the other side, they replace the flags in identical containers so that the next pedestrians can repeat the attention-getting plan."
Iberville Parish Council outlaws flag burning; ACLU says move is unconstitutional - The Advocate
"Burning flags in Iberville Parish will cost those involved up to $1,000 and/or some time in jail, under an ordinance the Parish Council unanimously adopted Tuesday prohibiting desecration of the American flag, Louisiana flag and parish flag. Council Chairman Matt Jewell said they want to avoid incidents like the one reported last year at a university in Ohio involving the intentional burning of an American flag, an act that angered many war veterans. Jewell described the council's vote as a preemptive step and not one sparked by any local problems with flag desecration. "We are a very patriotic parish. Not looking for much push-back on this," Jewell said in an interview before Tuesday night's meeting. "I don't expect us to have any problems. We're just doing this as more of a symbolic kind of thing."
Flags, Football and Freedom - ArkansasRazorbacks.com
"By simple definition, a flag is a piece of fabric, cloth or a similar material, used as an emblem of a country or institution as a decoration during public festivities. Embellished by stars, stripes, bars and other adornments, a flag is more than just a collection of artistic elements, it takes on meaning as the most visible symbol of a particular state or nation and those who are represented. Each time the Razorbacks take the field, they carry that same type of symbolic significance for Arkansans. The University of Arkansas is the flagship institution of the state and for many Arkansans, the Razorback is far more than just a mascot, it embodies the spirit of the state. So what happens when these two recognized symbols combine in a way that honors those who are serving and have served to protect our freedoms at home and abroad? It is a moment that means much more than simply the excitement of the home team’s entry onto the field before a college football game. "
The coolest signs and flags spotted at weekend one of ACL Fest 2017 - My Statesman from Austin American-Statesman
"Everyone knows the best way to find your friends at Austin City Limits Music Festival is to bring a flag, sign or otherwise interesting-looking object you can stack on top of a pole and carry around all day. “I’m standing under the giant inflatable pineapple,” I remember texting to a friend one ACL Fest. The next year, it was a volleyball painted like Wilson from “Castaway.” The next year, it was a windsock shaped like a parrot. You get the picture. Here are the best signs, flags and “here’s how to find me” objects we spotted at the first weekend of ACL Fest 2017 (and on social media). "
Stonewall National Monument’s rainbow flag plan was going fine, then things got weird - The Washington Post
"The plan to celebrate the rainbow flag flying over Stonewall National Monument was going smoothly. Then things got weird. Activists had pressed for months to get the flag — a long-standing symbol of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community — hoisted atop the flagpole adjacent to the national monument that President Barack Obama designated last year to commemorate the LGBT civil rights movement. The National Park Service agreed to do it, providing a flag that went up Sept. 28, and it worked with activists to put on an event commemorating the act on Wednesday, which was also National Coming Out Day. NPS officials provided the federal permit free of charge, as well as power and a sound system for the rally, and the monument’s chief interpreter initially agreed to speak.."
Scout looking for owners of historic flags - The Sun Chronicle
"Eagle Scout candidate Matthew Gonsalves recently completed his eagle project replacing 50 worn-out American flags and flagpoles that have been placed around the town Common during holidays for decades. Now Gonsalves, who attends Norfolk County Agricultural High School, is seeking to reunite about a dozen of the remaining flags with their original owners. Gonsalves said he has managed to return many of the flags, but is left with several others. He’s offering families identified with the flags to reclaim them by contacting him."
Native American students hoist tribal flags in EMU amphitheater for Indigenous Solidarity Day - Daily Emerald
"For Mitchell Lira, Monday was a day not only to celebrate Native American tribes but to pray for those who suffered in the past. On October 9, the Native American Student Union celebrated Indigenous Solidarity Day, an annual event held on the federal holiday Columbus Day, in the EMU amphitheater. Natives and non-natives gathered to listen to the speakers and watch the Chemawa Indian school drummers perform as the nine flags were changed by students of the Chemawa boarding school. “Indigenous peoples day is us reclaiming the day back,” Lira said. “We are making our voices heard.” The ceremony aimed to teach natives and non-natives to understand the importance of the Native American culture that resides on campus. “This university is built on native land,” Lira said. “The tribes still exists now, it’s not all in the past.”
Syria rebel flags banned, ‘Free Syria’ banner confiscated from World Cup play-off match - RT.com
"Syrian revolutionary flags were banned and a pro-revolution banner was confiscated at the FIFA 2018 World Cup Russia play-off match between Syria and Australia on Tuesday. Prior to the game at the ANZ Stadium in Sydney, signs were placed at the entrance indicating which flags fans were permitted to display at the ground for the Russia 2018 play-off second leg, which Australia won 2-1 to advance 3-2 on aggregate. As civil war ravages Syria, different flags are used by the Syrian government and rebels: the red, white and black tricolor with two central green stars, used by the government of President Bashar Assad; and the green, white and black tricolor with three central red stars, used by the Free Syrian Army."
Fort Worth firefighter tore down U.S. flags on Denton square, authorities say - Dallas Morning News
"The man who was captured on video damaging two flags last month in downtown Denton has been identified as a Fort Worth firefighter, the Denton County sheriff's office said. An arrest warrant was issued for Michael James Wagemann with a charge of criminal mischief and remains outstanding, the sheriff's office said Friday night. "
4th Annual Veteran Voices of Canada event to take place in Sylvan Lake’s Centennial Park - Red Deer Advocate
"At noon on Saturday 128 Canadian flags will be unfurled one by one as a tribute to the 128,000 Canadian soldiers killed or missing in action. The same sombre ceremony will be taking place in a dozen other communities across Canada from Charlottetown, P.E.I. to Vernon, B.C. It will be the fourth year the ceremony organized by Veteran Voices of Canada will be held in Sylvan Lake."
9 cool things about 200 straight weeks of the Washington State flag on ‘College GameDay’- SBNation.com
"Saturday will bring a College GameDay milestone. When ESPN’s flagship college football show broadcasts from Forth Worth, Texas, before West Virginia-TCU, a pair of crimson-and-gray Washington State flags will wave in the background. It’ll be the 200th consecutive GameDay at which the WSU flag has flown, according to separate counts maintained by the flag-wavers and ESPN’s GameDay staff. You’ve seen the flags before, even if they’ve blended out of your view. The Wazzu logo has been ubiquitous on the show for almost 14 years now, always somewhere in the wide shots of the show’s panelists sitting on their stage."
Beyond Jamaica: A look at the history of flags and national symbols- Deutsche Welle (DW)
"The Jamaican flag has been on the minds of many Germans recently, with coalition talks expected to form a yellow-black-green government. For more on flag history and their symbols, DW spoke with expert Peter Diem."
"Their flags billowed in the breeze as a steady rain fell.But through it all, they remained undeterred. They stood there for hours on the side of Abbott Road, with New Era Field at their back and midmorning traffic in their sights. And they proudly held the symbol of our nation in their hands: the red, white and blue of the United States of America. Bonded by military green, the three veterans took to the streets to protest a protest of a different kind — one that, in their estimation, disrespected the flag and fellow military members. On this particular Friday, they braved the elements for a purpose greater than themselves. They wanted to be seen. They wanted to be heard. All three began the week as strangers. But now, Edward Houck, 38, of Hamburg; and Travis Griffin, 28, and Pat Giumento, 70, both of Orchard Park, are united in their opposition to players kneeling, sitting — and worse, stretching — during the national anthem."
Real Madrid fans hoist Spanish flags above their heads in protest against Catalonia referendum after Barcelona play in front of empty Nou Camp- The Sun
"REAL MADRID'S supporters protested against the Catalonia independence referendum during the La Liga clash against Espanyol by hoisting Spanish flags above their heads. It came just hours after Barcelona were forced to play their game against Las Palmas behind closed doors due to fears of crowd safety."
Pro-democracy legislator guilty of desecrating Hong Kong and China flags- South China Morning Post
"A localist Hong Kong lawmaker was found guilty on Friday of desecrating the small Chinese and Hong Kong flags that he flipped over at the Legislative Council last year, and fined HK$5,000. Cheng Chung-tai, of pro-democracy party Civic Passion, said the case was “ridiculous” and his conviction a reminder that the city’s society is “not an open, democratic and liberal one”."
Flags represent 10,000-plus affected by domestic violence- Wyoming County Free Press
"One thousand and fifty purple flags. Each flag represents 10 people affected by domestic violence in Wyoming, Genesee, Livingston and Orleans counties. The flags represent a statistic of violence, yet the violence doesn’t happen to statistics, it happens to people - adult men and women, as well as children. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Restore Sexual Assault Services have teamed up with local officials to place the 1,000 plus flags on the grounds of the Wyoming County Courthouse this morning."
Seven Men Arrested In Egypt For Flying Rainbow Flags At Rock Concert- Logo NEWNOWNEXT
"Police in Cairo arrested seven men for flying Pride flags at a rock concert Saturday. If convicted, they face up to two years in prison. The incident occurred at a sold-out concert by Mashrou’ Leila that drew some 35,000 people to Cairo Festival City. Mashrou’ Laila’s lead singer, Hamed Sinno, is openly gay. Officers scanned security footage to identify the flag-wavers, whom Egyptian media has called guilty of “the promotion of corruption and immorality.” On Sunday, the Musicians Syndicate announced the group was officially banned from performing in Egypt."
Around the world, flags and anthems can divide nations- ABC News
"President Donald Trump's clash with scores of professional football players who knelt during "The Star-Spangled Banner" last weekend has set off a heated debate over proper etiquette during the national anthem. But the U.S. is far from alone. Throughout the world, flags, anthems and other national symbols can often divide as much as they unify, especially in countries with large religious or ethnic divisions. Here is a look at some of the controversies:"
Students raise awareness for suicide prevention month with flags- KBTX-TV 3
"A student organization called Active Minds from Texas A&M University put out 1,100 flags in honor of the 1,100 students who commit suicide nationwide. According to Alicia Steinley, a member of Active Minds, suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students. "Each year 1,100 students nationwide take their lives on college campuses, so we are out here spreading awareness," said Steinley."
VERIFY: Are NFL football players required to stand for the National Anthem?- NBC 11 Atlanta
"Across the web, people are sharing a so-called “rule” pertaining to the National Anthem and whether or not NFL players are required to attend."
"To verify this content, we first looked at the NFL's 2017 Official Playing Rules. Nowhere in the 2017 rulebook does the NFL mention the National Anthem. Pages 62 and 63 contain information on the enforcement of fouls."
Activist Plans to Burn Nazi-Confederate Flag to Protest Confederate Flags Sale in Pennsylvania - NBC 10 Philadelphia
"A Pennsylvania activist aiming to protest a town fair's decision to allow the sale of Confederate flags says he plans to burn a combination Nazi-Confederate flag. The (Wilkes-Barre) Times Leader reports that activist Gene Stilp is seeking a permit to burn the two-sided Nazi-Confederate flag in front of the Columbia County Courthouse on Friday to coincide with the start of the Bloomsburg Fair.
Follow us: @nbcphiladelphia on Twitter | NBCPhiladelphia on Facebook"
Posted on September 21, 2017
Londonderry High School clarifies pep rally American flag policy - WMUR9
"Londonderry High School is facing backlash over a policy that bans students from presenting the American flag at an upcoming pep rally. Last week, about two dozen student athletes received letters detailing proper protocols for participating students, including no undressing, no derogatory statements about opponents, no questionable writings on their clothing and no use of the American flag, with the fourth protocol leaving many in the community up in arms about the policy." [Read More…]
Posted on September 20, 2017
NYC’s Federal Hall Exhibition Displays 50 US Flags In A Powerful Reminder to Rise Above Our Differences - UntappedCities.com
"From 2011 to 2016, Ziegler traveled all over the country to collect each flag by taking the distressed ones and replacing them with newer versions. Each flag collected also has its respective state name embroidered on it. The exhibition perfectly encapsulates the spectrum of our allegiance to the American flag and the various meanings people ascribe to it.
Some people love and respect this flag and its positive attributes symbolizing opportunity and possibility, while for others throughout the world, it is a nationalist symbol for imperialism. What Ziegler hopes to convey is a sense of community wherein he “presents a hopeful and direct image of these United States of America, one that is grounded in conversation with people unlike ourselves.”" [Read More…]
Posted on September 19, 2017
Flags for Forgotten Soldiers honor veterans who have committed suicide - 6News WRGB Albany
"A patriotic display in downtown Schenectady has many stopping to take a second look. A local mother tells us it's her way to raise awareness about what took her son too soon." [Read More…]
Posted on September 18, 2017
Pocatello to raise new flag on Tuesday - Idaho State Journal
"It’s been two years since Pocatello’s city flag was called the worst in North America. But after a wide-ranging redesign process that included input from the public and widespread media exposure, the new city flag will finally fly over the community this week." [Read More…]
Posted on September 18, 2017
Deputy honors American flags knocked down from Irma - CBCNews
"According to the department's post, "On Sept. 11, Lt. Greg Ernst and Capt. Ashley Brown were patroling [sic] Highway 80 when they noticed a familiar flag in the marshy water."
An American flag attached to a piece of driftwood in that location had been a comforting sight for Tybee Island residents and visitors for decades -- but it had been knocked over by Irma's fury." [Read More…]
Posted on September 15, 2017
Montreal adds Iroquois symbol to flag, strips British general of street name - CBCNews
"Montreal has taken steps to recognize the contribution of Indigenous people to the city, adding an Iroquois symbol to its city flag and committing to rename Amherst Street." [Read More…]
Posted on September 14, 2017
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Readers recommend playlist: your songs about flags - theguardian
"Flags date from antiquity, with one of the oldest extant standards (of sorts) being an Iranian banner made of bronze, dating back to the 3rd millennium BC. Their most common use has been to represent geopolitical entities, though they also bring together interest groups and those of a political – or anti-political – persuasion." [Read More…]
"As a sign of solidarity with the community amid the coronavirus pandemic, members of the San Francisco Yacht Club have hoisted a trio of signal flags above the club that mean 'I will stand by to assist you' — inspired by a story of a heroic rescue in the Atlantic Ocean in 1926." (Read More)
Betsy Vogel Boze shows where she sewed her name and the date she made the Earth Day flag now being flown at the school. (Photo: Jimmy Watson/The Times)
"While recently cleaning out her mother’s South Highland’s home, Byrd High graduate Betsy Vogel Boze was reunited with an important 50-year-old cultural symbol." (Read More)
A lone American flag stands atop a mountain peak along Highway 95, along with a POW/MIA flag and state flag on two separate peaks to the left (not pictured). Who maintains them and why they’re standing in these spots is a mystery. /JoANN SMITH, News West
"Many of us drive down Highway 95 every single day trying to pay attention to the cars and motorcycles buzzing in and around us, not really looking at much else out the window. Losing focus on this busy stretch could easily spell disaster in a heartbeat." (Read More)
Walt Disney World Resort president Josh D’Amaro shared what the company called #DisneyMagicMoments on his Instagram account Wednesday.
"The music is silent. The paths are empty. The gates are closed to guests. But despite the shutdown of Walt Disney World and Disneyland because of COVID-19, the flags are still flying at one Disney property." (Read More)
American flags and red bows displayed on trees / Photo courtesy of Delia A. Guajardo
"A local woman is placing red bows and American flags on trees as a sign of unity and hope. It's a trend Delia A. Guajardo, says she hopes will catch on across the city." (Read More)
"About 1,000 U.S. flags were posted Sunday at Richville Park by Operation: Flags of Freedom organizers and local volunteers coming out to lend a hand." (Read More)
The Christ the Redeemer statue in Brazil was lit up Wednesday during a special mass. Wagner Meier/Getty Images
"Brazil's Christ the Redeemer statue was lit up with flags and messages of hope on Wednesday in solidarity with countries affected by the novel coronavirus pandemic. The statue, which overlooks the city of Rio de Janeiro, was lit up with the flags of countries that have reported cases of the virus." (Read More)
"Self-quarantining is rising nationally. Originally for maritime use, the Quarantine Flag, also known as the Q International Signal Flag, has historically been used on boats to warn of infectious diseases. In modern times, the L International Signal Flag has replaced the Q flag. These flags can also be used on land during emergency situations. FlagandBanner.com has quarantine flags allowing you to alert your neighbors that you are self-quarantining." (Read More)
A protester waves a Nazi flag at a Bernie Sanders rally. (Photo by Orlando Garrido)
"Sen. Bernie Sanders said Sunday that he "never expected in (his) life as an American" to see a Nazi flag waved at a major political rally, several days after a man unfurled one during a speech the Democratic presidential candidate gave at an event in Arizona." (Read More)
H.K. Edgerton, right, gets a hug from a man in front of the South Carolina state house grounds on July 10, 2015 in Columbia, South Carolina. Since the early sixties and until today the Confederate battle flag had flown on the capitol grounds. The flag debate was reignited following the mass murder at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina, that June. (Photo by Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
"As states continue to grapple with the passionate debate over whether to display statues and other tributes to Confederate leaders, Marines have been told the materials won't be tolerated on any of the Corps' installations." (Read More)
State Sen. Tom Brewer introduced legislation to require the display of the four Nebraska tribal flags representing the Santee Sioux (from left), Omaha, Ponca and Winnebago tribes in the legislative chamber (GWYNETH ROBERTS, Journal Star file photo)
"Native representatives told state senators Tuesday that placement of tribal flags in the state Capitol's legislative chamber would recognize tribes' historical role and significance in the history of Nebraska. " (Read More)
Klobuchar standing in front flags sold by FlagandBanner.com (KARK 4)
"Democratic Presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar made a stop in North Little Rock at the Maumelle Event Center Sunday afternoon. She spoke before a crowd of about 1,100 people." (Read More)
World flags hanging at Harrisburg High School (Kelo)
"Harrisburg High School is celebrating students with international backgrounds through a new flag project. The school has 28 students with connections to countries all over the globe." (Read More)
Posted February 13, 2020
Flags In The News Utah lawmaker taking another stab at updating the state flag The Salt Lake Tribune
(Steve Griffin | Tribune file photo) In this July 24, 2017, photo, the Utah state flag waves in the morning sun at the start of the Days of '47 Parade in Salt Lake City. A Utah state lawmaker is leading an effort to redesign the flag.
"A Utah lawmaker is renewing his push to update the state flag, with the goal of establishing a design that evokes the same pride and ownership among residents as flags in states like Colorado, Arizona and California." (Read More)
Posted February 6, 2020
Flags In The News Meet the 80yo flag raiser who never misses a day to fly the Aussie flag Australian Broadcast Company
PHOTO: David Floyd beats the sunrise each morning to raise the flag at the local park. (ABC Radio Brisbane: Jessica Hinchliffe)
"Every day for 17 years, rain, hail or shine, David Floyd makes his way to a local park to do an important job which he sees as a simple gesture." (Read More)
Posted January 28, 2020
Flags In The News 'Peace and inclusivity': Beulah residents take a stand against Nazi flag display The Standard
Beulah residents took a stand against hate on Saturday with a community barbecue. Picture: CONTRIBUTED
"THE Beulah community has banded together in a display of peace and inclusivity after a Nazi flag was displayed by one of the town's residents last week." (Read More)
Posted January 20, 2020
Flags In The News Can sticking flags in sausages boost domestic consumption? Hungary thinks so euronews
A Hungary flag shows consumers where the sausage was made / Copyright MTI/Máthé Zoltán
"Hungary has come up with a new strategy to promote domestic meat consumption, essentially consisting of sticking flags in pork cuts. New legislation that entered into force on Wednesday stipulates all shops, markets, supermarkets and hypermarkets must now label their fresh pork meat with a flag indicating its country of origin." (Read More)
Posted January 17, 2020
Flags In The News Iran protests: Crowds in Tehran refuse to walk on U.S. and Israeli flags NBC News
Iranian protestors avoid walking on US and Israel flags / NBC News
"A week after millions of Iranians flooded the streets following the death of one of the country's top generals, Qassem Soleimani, a contrasting symbolic image played out in Tehran on Sunday. Crowds of people outside Beheshti University refused to trample over giant U.S. and Israeli flags that had been painted on the ground, according to video filmed at the scene that has been verified by NBC News." (Read More)
Posted January 14, 2020
Flags In The News Civil War medical museum prepares to amputate Confederate flag from logo The Washington Post
Employee holding a medical saw / National Museum of Civil War Medicine Twitter
"The National Museum of Civil War Medicine, a quirky and fascinating repository of battlefield medical artifacts including skull saws and rusty scalpels, is amputating the Confederate flag from its logo." (Read More)
Posted January 6, 2020
Flags In The News Tokyo 2020: Why some people want the rising sun flag banned BBC News
Japan's Rising Sun Flag / Getty Images
"But what if a flag is so offensive to some countries it sparks a whole movement to get it banned? That is what's happening with Japan's rising sun flag and the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. And the strongest criticism is from South Korea - where some politicians even compare it to the Nazi swastika." (Read More)
Posted January 3, 2020
Flags In The News 'Trump 2020' flag sparks debate over resident's rights to fly political flags any time of the year FOX 10 Phoenix
A woman in Prescott Valley may inspire a change in city ordinance when it comes to flying political flags after she is threatened with hundreds of dollars in fines for not taking down a Trump 2020 flag. / Fox 10
"A Prescott Valley woman was told she has to take down her Trump flag, and it wasn’t her Home Owners Association telling her to do so, it's the city. In December, Tawney Baccellia was told she had to take down her 'Trump 2020' flag that’s flying in her backyard because it’s against city ordinance. She says she was told if she doesn’t take it down, she’d face hundreds of dollars in fines." (Read More)
Posted January 2, 2020
Flags In The News The Puerto Rican Flag’s Evolving Colors Say a Lot About the Island’s Relationship with its Colonial Rulers Mother Jones
Casino developer Steve Wynn and his wife Andrea Hissom, make their way to the Senate Policy luncheon.Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call
"There’s a running joke in Latinx circles about Puerto Ricans and their love for their flag. “How did you know I was Puerto Rican?” reads the caption on a popular meme accompanying a photo of a woman wearing Puerto Rican flags from head to toe." (Read More)
Posted January 2, 2020
Flags In The News Police waving Miami flags KTBS 3 ABC
Shreveport, LA police waving Miami U flagsKTBS 3 ABC
"Shreveport, LA police assigned to the Independence Bowl are waving Miami University flags ahead of the big game Thursday." (Read More)
Posted December 23, 2019
Flags In The News These 4th graders do their best to honor the flag, struggle to understand impeachment USA Today
The fourth graders at Poston Road Elementary School in Martinsville, Indiana. Ty Vinson/Special To The Indianapolis Star
"There are rules about how the American flag can be displayed. A big one is that it can’t be up all night unless it’s properly lit. So, unless you have spotlights, the flag has to come down." (Read More)
Posted November 25, 2019
Flags In The News COUNTY TAKES ACTION AFTER UNAPPROVED FLAGS POP UP DOWNTOWN WWAY3
A viewer sent WWAY a photo of an American flag accompanied by 3 other flags on county property Saturday morning. (Photo: WWAY)
"New Hanover County is not taking any more chances and is taking down a long-standing flag pole at the corner of 3rd and Grace streets that has been drawing eyes downtown lately. It started back on Tuesday, which was the night of municipal elections, according to County Spokesman Jessica Loeper." (Read More)
Posted November 13, 2019
Flags In The News The Real Reason Why Football Referees Throw Yellow Penalty Flags KOMONEWS
A yellow flag used in the NFL (Sportscasting)
"Whether you’re watching a football game on TV or in the stadium, there’s one phrase every fan, player, and coach hates to hear: “There’s a flag on the play.” Just when you thought your team broke off a massive run, the officials come in to spoil everything." (Read More)
Posted October 28, 2019
Flags In The News 'Is this your turd?': Missouri city's cleanup flags dog poop KOMONEWS
Springfield MO Police Deparment post of the new flags (Facebook)
"Officials in a southwest Missouri city are planting small flags in piles of abandoned dog poop as part of a campaign to get residents to clean up after their pets downtown." (Read More)
Posted October 11, 2019
Flags In The News Ahead of statehood hearing, DC displays US flags with 51 stars Washington's Top News
Supporters of statehood for D.C. put up flags with 51 stars. (WTOP/Mitchell Miller)
"Dozens of American flags on display in D.C. Friday have a small addition that carries big meaning: each has 51 stars. Some 140 of these special flags were put up along Pennsylvania Avenue between the White House and the U.S. Capitol. They were installed ahead of a Monday morning parade planned along Pennsylvania Avenue, called a 51 Star Flag Salute to D.C. Statehood." (Read More)
Posted September 16, 2019
Flags In The News A Twitter bot randomly generated a UK/Ireland 'United Ireland' flag and people went completely insane The Irish Post
The Flags Mashup Bot generated post featuring a Irish colored Union Jack
"A TWITTER bot which was developed to randomly mash together the flags of different countries has found itself at the centre of a half-humorous, half-enraged storm from Irish Twitter users. The bot, named Flags Mashup Bot, randomly generates hybrid flags. That's it-- that's all it does." (Read More)
Posted August 30, 2019
Dreamland Ballroom News Dreamland Ballroom Groundbreaking Announcement - The Stranger
Executive Director of Friends of Dreamland, Matthew McCoy, standing in front of the Taborian Hall (Friends of Dreamland
"In late July construction began at the historic site, Taborian Hall, also known as the FlagandBanner.com building, on W. 9th St., Little Rock, Arkansas. On the top floor of this National Historic Site resides the beautiful Dreamland Ballroom. For years, this treasure of Little Rock's once thriving African American business district has been publicly inaccessible, primarily lacking an elevator." (Read More)
Posted August 23, 2019
Flags In The News Jackassery Will Not Be Tolerated in Seattle's Only Flag Contest - The Stranger
"#1" DESIGNED BY "CHET CLAPPER"
"It has come to our attention that The Stranger's (un)official contest to replace the City of Seattle's ugly city flag has been rife with tomfoolery. Shenanigans. Undemocratic hanky-panky. The short of it is people have been stuffing our ballot box. But before we get into it, let's take a look at which flag seems like it won our noble competition to inspire civic pride and unity." (Read More)
Posted August 12, 2019
Flags In The News Colorblind firefighter overcome with emotion from seeing the American flag's colors for the first time - CBS Evening News
How firefighter Spencer Caradine sees the flag (CBS)
"It's the most treasured symbol of our country. So imagine if you couldn't see the red, white and blue of the American flag. That's exactly what happened to Douglas County, Georgia firefighter Spencer Caradine. "I never knew that there was a different red in my eyes," he said. Caradine is colorblind and he only recently found out because of his fellow firefighter, Jordan Gardner. "When I realized he couldn't see what I saw, I wanted to be able to fix it," Gardner said." (Read More)
Posted July 23, 2019
Flags In The News Tencent-backed 'Top Gun' cuts Taiwan flag from Tom Cruise's jacket - CNN Business
Twitter users show the original patches versus the ones in the new trailer
"A new trailer for the sequel of 1986 blockbuster "Top Gun" is stirring up controversy because it shows Tom Cruise putting on the iconic bomber jacket he wore in the original film — but with two key changes. In the Paramount Pictures trailer of "Top Gun: Maverick," two jacket patches that had originally shown the Japanese and Taiwanese flags appear to have been swapped out and replaced with two ambiguous symbols in the same color scheme — leading to social media speculation that the swap was done to appease China." (Read More)
Posted July 22, 2019
Flags In The News A funeral home says 21 US flags honoring veterans on July 4th were set on fire - CNN
The remains of the flags were found in a pile, the funeral home says. (McDougald Funeral Home)
"Twenty-one American flags were found burned at a cemetery in Anderson, South Carolina, according to the funeral home that runs it. Owner Jess McDougald says his family has never seen anything like it in McDougald Funeral Home's 85 years of operation. The funeral home has been run by the same family for three generations, since McDougald's grandfather started it, and he says they put out American flags during patriotic holidays." (Read More)
Posted July 19, 2019
Flags In The News How do you honorably dispose of 25,000 US flags? Burn them in a massive funeral pyre - Courier Journal
Thousands of American flags burn during a flag retirement ceremony by the Jeffersontown American Legion G.I. Post 244. Tens of thousands of American flags are under the large flag retired from Town & Country Ford. John Wright, with the post, believes that this flag retirement ceremony might be the largest in the U.S. June 29, 2019. (Photo: Michael Clevenger/Courier Journal)
"They flew for years — their stars and stripes soaked, sun-baked and frozen countless times outside homes on tree-lined streets, high above car dealerships and at government offices. But the roughly 25,000 tattered and faded U.S. flags — turned in to the American Legion by owners unsure of how to properly dispose of them — now lay packed on wooden pallets, soaked in diesel fuel and covered by a mammoth 50-foot flag on a rural Louisville farm." (Read More)
Posted July 2, 2019
Flags In The News Nike Nixes 'Betsy Ross Flag' Shoe After Kaepernick Intervenes - The Wall Street Journal
Betsy Ross flag / Getty Images
"Nike Inc. is yanking a U.S.A.-themed sneaker featuring an early American flag after NFL star-turned-activist Colin Kaepernick told the company it shouldn’t sell a shoe with a symbol that he and others consider offensive, according to people familiar with the matter." (Read More)
Posted July 2, 2019
Flags In The News Flags at Glastonbury – ranked! - The Guardian
Papa’s got a brand new pig flag Photograph: David Levene/The Guardian
"Love them or hate them, flags in a bewildering variety are an inescapable part of the Glastonbury experience. We scanned the best and worst on show" (Read More)
Posted July 1, 2019
Flags In The News 2020 Tokyo Olympics country flags make for impressive anime warriors - c|net
See flags of countries participating in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics reimagined as Japanese anime characters. (World Flags Project)
"The US as shaggy blond male warrior? Japanese artists are re-creating flags of countries participating in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics as anime characters. The warrior representing the United States wears stars and stripes armor, while Australia's anime character that looks a lot like Thor. Both Argentina and South Africa are represented as colorful samurai warriors at the ready with their swords. The reimagining, initiated by the World Flags project, aims to "introduce the flags of the world and some information about them using cool Japanese traditional clothes," according to the project web site. " (Read More)
Posted June 28, 2019
Flags In The News Thousands in Morocco protest US peace confab, burn Israeli flags - The Times of Israel
Protesters tear at a makeshift Israeli flag during a protest in the Moroccan capital Rabat on June 23, 2019, against the US-led economic conference in Bahrain with its declared aim of achieving Palestinian prosperity. (AFP)
"Thousands protested Sunday in Morocco against a planned conference in Bahrain where the economic component of a US-led plan for peace between Israel and the Palestinians is set to be unveiled. Demonstrators gathered in the capital Rabat burned an Israeli flag near Morocco’s parliament and shouted “Death to Israel!” and “Death to the United States!" (Read More)
Posted June 25, 2019
Flags In The News Store owner decides to stop selling Confederate flag: It's 'being equated to a symbol used to incite genocide' - Yahoo Finance
Kerry McCoy made a decision to stop selling the Confederate flag in her store. (Photo: Bannerisms/Kerry McCoy)
"Upset with the way the the Confederate flag has been adopted by extremists as a part of hate speech, a store owner of almost 45 years made the decision to stop selling the flag. Kerry McCoy, founder and president of FlagandBanner.com, based in Little Rock, Ark., is a proud Southern woman. And on June 12, she penned a blog post about why she will no longer be selling the flag." (Read More)
Posted June 17, 2019
Flags In The News Arkansas store owner halting sales of Confederate flags - NY Daily News
The owner of an Arkansas flag store will no longer sell Confederate flags. (NeilLockhart/Getty Images/iStockphoto)
"A longtime Arkansas business owner is bidding farewell to a remnant of the Old South. Frustrated by how extremists have co-opted the Confederate flag, Kerry McCoy has put her foot down and will no longer be selling the item at her store." (Read More)
Posted June 17, 2019
Flags In The News Southbridge man defends flying Nazi, Confederate flags that outraged neighbors - 7 News Boston
Neighbor Brian Harvard snapped this photo of the flag flying
"A Southbridge man who drew the ire of his neighbors when he flew a Nazi flag on his property — only to replace it with a Confederate flag when confronted, said his display is misunderstood.
Paul Gibeault, 65, took down the Nazi flag Monday after a concerned citizen, Brian Harvard, posted a photo to the town’s Facebook page that received an overwhelmingly negative response." (Read More)
Posted June 14, 2019
Flags In The News Arkansas Flag Lady Finally Folds - PR Newswire
Owner and President Kerry McCoy at the FlagandBanner.com headquarters
"The FlagandBanner.com president, Kerry McCoy, will immediately discontinue the sale of all Confederate battle flags and battle flag themed products. The decision comes in light of recent international and local events coupled with the company's participation in the upcoming Juneteenth celebration, hosted by the Mosaic Templar Cultural Center taking place on 9th Street in downtown Little Rock, Arkansas. In this week's blog post, McCoy explains her change in policy" (Read More)
Posted June 13, 2019
Flags In The News Battle flag carried by black Union troops hits auction block - The Washington Post
This undated photo provided by Morphy Auctions shows a detail of the 127th Regiment United States Colored Troops battle flag in Denver, Pa. The flag was carried into battle by one of the 11 black Union regiments during the Civil War is going up for auction in Pennsylvania. The flag was painted by David Bustill Bowser, an African American artist who was a member of one of the regiments and the son of a fugitive slave. (Morphy Auctions via AP) (Associated Press)
"A flag that was carried into battle by a black Union regiment during the Civil War and hand-painted by an acclaimed African American artist is going up for auction in Pennsylvania. The 127th United States Colored Infantry Regiment’s flag depicts a black soldier waving goodbye to Columbia, the white female personification of America, beneath a banner reading, “We Will Prove Ourselves Men.” It was one of at least 11 such flags painted by David Bustill Bowser, an artist, activist and son of a fugitive slave. " (Read More)
Posted June 11, 2019
Flags In The News Several U.S. Embassies Are Flying Rainbow Flags in Defiance of Trump Administration - Slate
A rainbow flag and an American flag are seen at the Stonewall National Monument, the first LGBTQ national monument, on June 4 in New York City. / Angela Weiss/Getty Images
"Several U.S. embassies are defying the Trump administration and flying rainbow flags to celebrate LGBTQ Pride Month even though the State Department rejected all requests to hoist rainbow flags on official flagpoles, reports the Washington Post. Some are straight-out not following the order and are flying the rainbow flag below Old Glory, while others are getting around it with rainbow lights, to name one example. Beyond the flag itself, several ambassadors are publishing images of themselves celebrating Pride." (Read More)
Posted June 10, 2019
Flags In The News The big flag might stay; ‘The Profit’ might not go to jail -Associated Press
In this undated handout photo provided by Camping World, an American flag blows in the wind at Gander RV, in Statesville, N.C. Businessman and reality television star Marcus Lemonis says he’ll go to jail before he removes a huge American flag flying at a recreational vehicle store that his company owns and that’s the subject of a lawsuit because of its size. (Jennifer Munday/Camping World, AP)
"Maybe television’s “The Profit” won’t have to make business deals behind bars after all. Marcus Lemonis, star of CNBC’s so-named reality television show, had said Wednesday that he would go to jail before he’d remove an enormous flag that flies at a recreational vehicle store in violation of the city of Statesville’s size ordinance. But later in the day, the city said in a news release that its leaders will consider a change that would allow the flag displayed at Gander RV along Interstate 77 to continue flying." (Read More)
Posted May 31, 2019
Flags In The News Soldier Seen Placing Flag at Tomb of Unknown Soldier During Torrential Rain -Military.com
A soldier of the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) stands in front of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during a severe storm for Flags In at Arlington National Cemetery, May 23, 2019. Flags In is an annual military operation carried out by The Old Guard before Memorial Day weekend in which soldiers plant over 245,000 U.S. flags at the graves of Arlington National Cemetery. (Maryam Treece/U.S. Army)
"An “Old Guard” soldier who was photographed placing a small American flag at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during a severe thunderstorm is drawing notice ahead of Memorial Day." (Read More)
Posted May 30, 2019
Flags In The News Photos: 37,000 Flags On Boston Common Honor Fallen Mass. Veterans -WBUR
Three-and-a-half-year-old Veronica Ianivska holds up an American flag as her mother takes a picture of her in the sea of flags in Boston Common during the Massachusetts Military Heroes flag planting event Wednesday. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)
"More than 37,000 American flags are now on the Boston Common — an annual tribute to fallen military service members. Each flag represents a Massachusetts resident who has died in military service since the Revolutionary War. This is the 10th year that volunteers have planted the flag garden that goes up before every Memorial Day weekend." (Read More)
Posted May 23, 2019
Flags In The News NC city sues to take down massive US flag — and fines company $50 a day for flying it -The Charlotte Observer
The City of Statesville sues RV store for flying 40-foot-by 80-foot flag. BY WBTV
"Just in time for Memorial Day, one North Carolina city has filed a lawsuit to force an RV store to pull down a 40-foot by 80-foot U.S. flag because it’s too large, reports WBTV and other news outlets. To put the 3,200-square-foot size in perspective, that’s about 1,000 square feet bigger than the average Starbucks. Statesville, N.C., officials say the U.S. flag at Gander RV is nearly twice the size of what is specified in city codes for “signs and other outdoor marketing devices,” says WBTV." (Read More)
Posted May 23, 2019
Flags In The News New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy orders Mississippi flag removed from state park over Confederate imagery -The Washington Times
Photo by: Julio Cortez / A United States flag, top left, flies near other state flags on the pole slated for the Mississippi state flag at Liberty State Park, Saturday, April 27, 2019, in Jersey City, N.J. On Friday, April 26, 2019, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy ordered the Mississippi flag removed from the display of each state's flag and replaced by the American flag because it has a confederate emblem on it. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
"New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy had the Mississippi state flag removed from a park near the Statue of Liberty on Friday because it bears the Confederate battle emblem. Mr. Murphy, a first-term Democrat, ordered that the U.S. flag replace Mississippi’s on Freedom Way in Liberty State Park where the flags of all 50 states are usually flown. “New Jersey’s strength is rooted in our diverse communities,” Mr. Murphy said. “The Confederate symbol displayed on the Mississippi state flag is reprehensible and does not reflect our values of inclusivity and equality." (Read More)
Posted Apr. 30, 2019
Flags In The News Oregon county pays $100,000 to employee who sued over Blue Lives Matter office flag -Insider
A United States flag, with blue and black stripes in support of law enforcement officers, flies at a protest by police and their supporters outside Somerville City Hall, Thursday, July 28, 2016, in Somerville, Mass. AP Photo/Charles Krupa
"An Oregon county has agreed to pay $100,000 to a black employee who sued after a co-worker pinned up a Blue Lives Matter flag in the office. Karimah Guion-Pledgure alleged in her January lawsuit against Multnomah County that the flag demeans the Black Lives Matter movement and that after she and other black co-workers complained, she was harassed by others in the office, The Oregonian/OregonLive Saturday." (Read More)
Posted Apr. 22, 2019
Flags In The News Seven-year-old girl asks Ikea to change ‘boring’ flags to include unicorns – and they oblige -Metro IK
Ikea's new flag for Unicorn Day using Charlotte's design / Metro UK
"Charlotte, 7, wrote to Ikea suggesting they should change their ‘boring’ blue and yellow flags to include unicorns. Charlotte, who absolutely loves unicorns, came up with the idea because she spots an Ikea store every day on her way to school. She decided to draw up some fresh designs, showing unicorns shouting ‘Ikea’ in speech bubbles, and wrote a very important letter to the store’s bosses." (Read More)
Posted Apr. 8, 2019
Flags In The News Sanders, Pelosi, Ocasio-Cortez hang transgender pride flags in Congress -NBC News
A transgender pride flag stands outside of Sen. Bernie Sanders' office in Washington / Senator Bernie Sanders Office
"Pink, blue and white transgender pride flags are dotting the halls of Congress this week, where members are displaying them ahead of International Transgender Day of Visibility on Sunday.." (Read More)
Posted Mar. 27, 2019
Flags In The News Flags you don't want to capture at South Portland dog park -News Center Maine (Video)
Red flags mark where dog owners have failed to pick up after their pups feces / News Center Maine
"These are flags you don't want to capture at a popular park for dog walking in South Portland. South Portland's Rec Department placed red flags at Hinckley Park, where dog owners have failed to pick up after their pets and there were a lot." (Read More)
Posted Mar. 22, 2019
Flags In The News American flags a symbol of renewal in storm's aftermath -oanow.com
Jamie Popwell, right, attaches an American flag to a new flagpole he put up on Wednesday along Lee Road 721 in Beauregard. Kara Coleman Fields/kcoleman@oanow.com
"Despite tornadoes wreaking havoc through the area, they could not bring down the flag. After two tornadoes swept through the Beauregard area on Sunday, destruction was spread across the eastern portion of Lee County. However, the American flag continued to fly in Blanche Whatley’s yard despite her home and property having received damage." (Read More)
Posted Mar. 11, 2019
Flags In The News Noem announces plan to display tribal flags in the Capitol Rotunda -NewsCenter 1 (Video)
Screenshot of Gov. Kristi Noem announcing her plans February 28, 2019 / NewsCenter 1
"Gov. Kristi Noem announced on Wednesday that she plans to permanently display the flags of South Dakota’s nine tribal nations in the State Capitol Rotunda. “South Dakota has a unique opportunity for a new beginning between the state and tribal governments. Bringing tribal flags to the rotunda is a sign that we are unified and working together to create policies for the next generation,” said Governor Kristi Noem. " (Read More)
Posted Mar. 1, 2019
Flags In The News Arkansas Bill Proposed To Change Meaning Of State Flag To Honor Native Americans Instead Of Confederacy -Inquisitr (Video)
Screenshot of new flag designs / THV11
"Lately, there has been a push across the United States to remove symbols that seek to honor the Confederacy and the soldiers who fought for it. Those symbols have ranged from statues and monuments to street names in a number of municipalities across the country. The recent moves have been part of a larger effort to stop glorifying and memorializing the Confederate States of America and those who committed heinous crimes against minorities under its banner." (Read More)
Posted Feb. 18, 2019
Flags In The News Enterprise observes ‘Flags For Forgotten Soldiers’ Day -Fox News
Commander Robert R. Green (left) and Dwain D. Hartwick (right) of Enterprise’s Chapter 2216 Military Order of the Purple Heart greeted Mayor Bill Cooper prior to the flag ceremony Wednesday. (The Enterprise Ledger)
"Enterprise City Hall welcomed veterans, family members, and military supporters for a special dedication ceremony commemorating “Flags For Forgotten Soldiers” Wednesday morning. Flags For Forgotten Soldiers is an organization that was founded by Cincinnati resident Howard Berry in 2016 following his veteran son’s suicide. The organization seeks to “expand the awareness of the growing issue of suicide among veterans of our military forces” according to a proclamation read by Mayor Bill Cooper during the event; to commemorate veterans who have committed suicide, a total of 660 flags are placed in displays across the country, showing passersby just how many veteran lives are lost each month due to suicide." (Read More)
Posted Feb. 7, 2019
Flags In The News Restaurant owner sells business over Confederate flag controversy -Fox News
Tommy Daras says he’s selling his Edisto River Creamery because he’s been unable to remove the rebel banner flown by the Sons of Confederate Veterans on a tiny piece of property in front of his business. (Larry Hardy/Times & Democrat via AP)
"After years of battling the Confederate flag, a South Carolina restaurant owner has surrendered. Tommy Daras says he's selling his Edisto River Creamery in Orangeburg because he's been unable to remove the rebel banner flown by the Sons of Confederate Veterans on a tiny piece of property in front of his business. "I can't beat them guys," Daras told The Times and Democrat of Orangeburg. "They destroyed the safety of the place and the enjoyment of the property. They killed me on the internet." (Read More)
Posted Jan. 29, 2019
Flags In The News Mississippi lawmakers file bills to redesign controversial state flag -WLOX
Video screenshot from WLOX.
"The Mississippi state legislature seems poised to take up the state flag as several new bills filed in the first weeks of January focus on its redesign. Mississippi is the last state in the country whose flag still bears the Confederate Battle flag. Four bills similarly seek to establish a commission to redesign the flag. (Read More)
Posted Jan. 23, 2019
Flags In The News Chairman calls Burgum's surprise decision to display tribal flags 'monumental' -The Bismarck Tribune
The flags of North Dakota's five tribal nations are displayed outside Gov. Doug Burgum's office Thursday. (Forum News Service)
"Gov. Doug Burgum’s announcement that his office would display the flags of North Dakota’s five tribal nations was one of the more warmly received parts of his State of the State address Thursday.
It was also somewhat of a spur-of-the-moment declaration that wasn't included in his prepared remarks provided to reporters.
Burgum, a first-term Republican who has emphasized improving the state’s relationships with the tribes, has thought about displaying the flags for more than a year, his spokesman Mike Nowatzki said. "(Read More)
Posted Jan. 7, 2019
Flags In The News 'It's A Disgrace': American Flags Vandalized On Canton Overpass -CBS 4 Boston
Henry Krueger holds vandalized American flag (WBZ-TV)
"Flags put up on an overpass in Canton to honor veterans and those lost serving in the military were vandalized with graffiti.
“I believe that’s to portray bleeding stars of some sort,” said Henry Krueger as he pointed out the spray paint on an American flag.
He found the American flags that hung on an overpass as a sign of patriotism were desecrated." (Read More)
Posted Jan. 4, 2019
Barrington neighbors cover street with rainbow flags after couple’s flag stolen, replaced with American flag - WGN 9
"A couple in the northwest suburbs got the best gift they could have imagined this holiday season: a neighborhood filled with rainbows after their LGBT pride flag was stolen. Casey Handel and Zadette Rosado just moved into Barrington last May with their two daughters. They flew their rainbow flag behind their home. Two weeks ago, someone snuck into their yard and took it down and replaced it with a United States flag. “We were pretty devastated as far as, who would do this? Why would they do it?” Handel said. The incident was chilling, but then something wonderful happened."
US & Serbian flags color opposite sides of Mitrovica as Kosovo votes to create army - RT.com
" American flags were flown over the Albanian-majority south side of Mitrovica in Kosovo as the region voted to create its own army. In response, buildings on the north side were draped in Serbian flags, hanging out of windows. Peacekeepers from the NATO force KFOR rolled onto the bridge connecting the two halves of the divided city of Mitrovica in Kosovo on Thursday, as the breakaway region's MPs prepared to approve the creation of its own army. The streets behind the peacekeepers' armed vehicles, on the Albanian-majority southern side of the city, were adorned with strings of overhanging American flags – the US being about the only major international player that backed the idea of a Kosovan army."
New Little Havana flag featuring a rooster criticized on social media - Miami Herald
"Miami’s Little Havana has Latin American folklore, art, food and music. And now it has a new flag that’s created a social media spat. The design unveiled last week is a fusion of the Cuban and U.S. flags, surrounded by the flags of 22 Latin American nations and a rooster in a lead role. The flag also carries the words, “Little Havana, U.S.A. la que tiene libertad (the one that has freedom).” Conceived by Miami Commissioner Joe Carollo and unveiled by Francis Suarez and Carlos Gimenez, the mayors of the City of Miami and Miami-Dade County, respectively, the flag was not well received on social media."
Canada to fly flags at half-mast in honour of George H.W. Bush - The Baltimore Sun
"Flags on all Canadian federal buildings in both Canada and the U.S. will be flown at half-mast tomorrow to pay tribute to former U.S. president George H.W. Bush, says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. "President George H.W. Bush was a statesman, patriot and true friend to Canada," tweeted Trudeau on Tuesday morning. "On Wednesday, as Americans mourn his passing, flags on federal buildings in Canada and at Canadian offices in the United States will be flown at half-mast. May he rest in peace."
Maryland FedEx driver praised for stopping to fold fallen flags - The Baltimore Sun
"A Ferndale family is thanking their FedEx driver for making an unplanned stop to fold their American flag after it went down on a windy day this week. Although driver Mike King wasn’t delivering any packages to Gail Cook’s house, he stopped on Wednesday when he saw her flagpole was laying across her lawn. A Ravens flag and an American flag were attached to the pole and on the ground. When Cook got home, she found the flags neatly folded on her front porch — the American flag was creased in a proper triangular fold, with the Ravens flag beneath it. "
Flag protocol breach seen in Xi Jinping's Philippine visit - Philstar Global
" The Duterte administration appears to have broken protocol during the two-day state visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to the Philippines. President Rodrigo Duterte received his Chinese counterpart at Malacañan Palace Tuesday afternoon for an official welcome ceremony, followed by a bilateral meeting where 29 agreements were signed. During Duterte and Xi's meeting, the arrangement of Philippine and Chinese flags were reversed, violating Republic Act 8941 or "The Code of the National Flag, Anthem, Motto, Coat-of-Arms and Other Heraldic Items and Devices of the Philippines."
Arkansas' original state flag among 2 set for $20,000 makeover - Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette
"After stretching the fingertip of a white glove to snap it in to place, State Archives Curator Julienne Crawford turned to a low, flat table and gingerly touched the corner of a wooden frame that encased Arkansas' original state flag. The 1913 shattered-silk, 24-inch-deep flag with a 36-inch-wide fly (the part extending from the flagpole) was deeply wrinkled behind the frame's glass. The thinning fabric's colors were faded and the flag sagged in the frame. The center white diamond had vertical splits throughout."
What it took to hang a massive 400-pound American flag in honor of Maj. Brent Taylor - Fox 13 Salt Lake City - Video
"Many have seen the videos and if you're near, Ogden you’ve seen a gigantic flag waving in the distance, all in the memory of veterans and Maj. Brent Taylor. “It was the coolest thing that I’d ever witnessed,” said Kirk Chugg, one of the many who organized the American flag’s placement in Coldwater Canyon Sunday morning. “At the very moment the flag was going out, those were the words going through my head: 'By the dawn's early light.' That’s when I felt Brent the most.” Chugg was one of 140 plus people who carried the 400 lbs flag up Coldwater Canyon on Veterans Day to surprise Taylor’s family."
"The earliest version of the modern flag can be traced back to the Almohad dynasty in the 12th century. The background of the flag is the same deep red as the modern flag, but in the middle was a 64-piece chess board. In traditional Islamic culture, the chessboard stands as a symbol for verbal sparring and the victories of Islamic arguments over other dominant moral frameworks."
Mississippi judge removes state flag from courtroom, displays new design without Confederate emblem - USA Today
"On his first day as a judge in 2017, Clarksdale Municipal Judge Carlos Moore ordered the removal of the Mississippi state flag from his courtroom. Moore received threats after making the change. “I don’t believe the confederate emblem stands for justice, and I took an oath to administer justice,” Moore told WREG."I’m taking a stand. I don’t care about death threats or any of that sort of thing." The U.S. flag was the only flag hanging in Moore's courtroom until now, WREG reported. Moore now displays a new version of the state flag without Confederate symbolism."
San Luis is the first city to fly an ADEQ Air Quality Flag - WAFB 9
"San Luis is the first city in Arizona to join the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality’s (ADEQ) Air Quality Flag Program. Brightly colored flags intended to raise awareness for air quality conditions will be placed all around the city Monday for residents to see. Each day, a flag will be raised matching the colors of the Air Quality Index (AQI). By comparing the colored flags to the AQI, residents will know what actions to take to protect their health."
First responders gifted hats, flags from LSU for their efforts in hurricane-stricken Florida panhandle - WAFB 9
" First responders from the Louisiana’s State Fire Marshal’s office were surprised Sunday night with some gifts from LSU. Each first responder got a baseball hat and each team received a flag for their work in the search and rescue efforts in Panama City and Mexico Beach areas of Florida following Hurricane Michael. A video post from LAOSFM shows State Fire Marshal Chief H. “Butch” Browning handing out the purple and gold gifts."
Woman-Owned Company Raises Pink Flag For Breast Cancer Cure - PR Web
" Woman-owned company, FlagandBanner.com, will fly a pink version of the Arkansas state flag throughout the month of October in support of finding the cure for breast cancer. The custom made flag was manufactured onsite in 2017. The trend of flying a pink state flag began in 2015, when a FlagandBanner.com customer, Geoffrey Jackson, purchased a pink New Mexico flag in honor of his wife who lost her fight against the disease. His story was reported in FlagandBanner.com’s magazine, Brave, last October. After the story ran, pink state flag requests skyrocketed. FlagandBanner.com reports making pink versions of at least eight different state flags. "
Sold: The Flag That Hurricane Florence Shredded on Camera - Atlas Obscura
" FLAGS DON’T FARE WELL IN storms. Richard Neal knows this, because he’s been through it before. He always keeps a flag flying above the Frying Pan Tower, the decommissioned Coast Guard light station that he purchased in 2010, which marks dangerous shoals roughly 35 miles from the North Carolina coast. It’s hard enough out there for a flag, even under the best skies—the average one lasts about a month, he says—and storms just eat them up. Hurricanes Matthew and Andrew chewed through flags years ago, but Neal didn’t think Florence would have such sharp teeth, so he didn’t take the flag down. By the time he realized how strong the storm would be, it was too late. The flag would have to weather it."
Resilient flag shredded by Florence off NC coast ‘represents who we are as America’ - The Charlotte Observer
"Richard Neal, the owner of a bed-and-breakfast 32 miles off the coast of North Carolina in old Coast Guard tower, says he fielded several angry calls from veterans as Hurricane Florence approached. That’s because his B&B at Frying Pan Tower is also the home of one of the many Explore.org live cams that have been documenting the storm as it rumbled toward the Carolina coast. And also because, that live footage at times has shown the tower’s American flag, being shredded by the devastating rain and wind the storm is bringing with it. “They told me, ‘this is disrespectful,’ and that I need to get out there and replace the flag right then,” Neal told McClatchy. “In the hurricane.” "
FlagandBanner.com Donate Replacement Flag to Frying Pan Tower - PR Web
" As Hurricane Florence bears down on the Carolina coast, cable news network CNN has been monitoring its approach from a historic Atlantic ocean lighthouse in North Carolina. Located 34 miles offshore from Cape Fear, North Carolina, the Frying Pan Tower - a former Coast Guard Light Station built in the 1960's and now a bed and breakfast, has been live streaming the storms approach. Each shot seen here shows the raging ocean and the flag, whipping fiercely in the howling winds. Richard Neal, owner of the Frying Pan Tower stated on air that the flag was "provided by the good people at FlagandBanner.com.""
CEO of Steve Landers Auto Group to Appear on Up in Your Business with Kerry McCoy - PR Web
"Up in Your Business with Kerry McCoy radio show will host local business man and philanthropist Steve Landers this Friday on KABF 88.3 FM at 2 pm. Landers is the CEO of the Steve Landers Auto Group which includes all dealerships under the Landers name in Arkansas and has a partial interest in McClarty Automotive. Tune in this Friday to hear Landers discuss business ownership, advertising, the Landers Award and scholarship program, his involvement with the Arkansas Racing Commission and love of horse racing as well as Landers' many community service and charitable projects including The Steve Landers Family Foundation which funds various charitable works throughout the state of Arkansas."
John Berman interviews Richard Neal regarding the flag at the Frying Pan Tower - CNN Transcript
FlagandBanner.com in the news
"You can see and you can hear the force of Hurricane Florence as it bears down here on this coast. This is coming from this light station, which believe it or not is privately owned. The man who owns it is Richard Neal. He joins us now. Richard, thanks so much for being with us. Before we get into the whys and hows of this station, explain to us what we are seeing and what we're hearing. What readings are you getting at this point? RICHARD NEAL, OWNER, LIGHT STATION (via telephone): Yes, certainly, John. Look, thanks for having me on. What we have right now is we have a camera about a hundred feet off the water where the wind is ripping up to 50, 60 miles an hour already. And the waves are rolling past, doing their best to knock us down. But we have been out here since 1964. We're not going anywhere."
Flag torn on Hurricane Florence live stream has hilarious Twitter account -Citizen Times / USA Today
FlagandBanner.com in the news
"Meteorologists have said Hurricane Florence has slowed down as it prepares to make landfall. Tell that to the flag. The flag sits on a former Coast Guard light tower just over 30 miles from the North Carolina. Named the Frying Pan Tower, the structure has been there since 1964. It now operates as unique bed and breakfast 80 feet above the water. But anyway, you were wondering about the flag?”
Company to donate American Flag to Frying Pan after Hurricane Florence batters Old Glory - ABC 12 News
FlagandBanner.com in the news
"Flag and Banner has offered to donate a new American Flag to Frying Pan after millions of people watched Hurricane Florence batter Old Glory. The tower is located about 34 miles off the coast of North Carolina. Richard Neal, owner of the tower, converted the retired navigation platform into a bed and breakfast several years ago… Thankfully, a flag company has stepped up to donate a new flag to the tower. "Many many thanks for FLAG sponsor https://www.flagandbanner.com/ who is stepping up to help the tower with new flags," Neal wrote.”
American flags mowed down at Hatboro, Pa. cemetery - ABC 6 News
"Dozens of small flags honoring loved ones were mowed down at a cemetery in Hatboro, Pa. It all started with photos that were shared on Facebook by Montco News Feed. The initial poster saying this is how the landscaping crew at the cemetery, quote, "honors our flags and veterans." He termed it "unacceptable," and manager Wayne Sands did not dispute that opinion. "A number of them were shredded like when they get sucked up under a mower deck and spit out. Some were just knocked over," said Sands.”
Appleyard: French flag flew over Pensacola — briefly - CBC
"In 1949, a group of 20 men began discussions which soon led to the establishment of the Fiesta of Five Flags, to be a feature for attracting visitors to the community and to supplement the area's beaches. The Fiesta (and then the city's own flags symbol) sustained the French emblem, yet from that date to 2018, little has been made detailing the French presence, and properly so. However, that story deserves at least a brief detailing of why the colors were represented.”
Wait-list for Peace Tower flag now exceeds average Canadian lifespan - CBC
"All Mitchell Mader wanted was a meaningful piece of Canadiana when he signed up to receive one of the 250 Canadian flags flown throughout the year atop Parliament Hill's Peace Tower, but it's unlikely he'll live to see the day it arrives. The $150 Peace Tower flag is changed weekdays in Ottawa and once they're used, they are given to Canadian residents who request them. The limit is one flag per person and household. The current waiting time for Peace Tower flags is approximately 99 years, according to the Government of Canada's website. The wait time for flags flown elsewhere in the Parliament complex isn't much better — it's 86 years.”
Meet the DOT worker who keeps Brooklyn Bridge flags flying - Spectrum News, New York 1 - Video
"Cesar Pazmino's morning walk is not for the fearful. It's a dizzying, quarter-mile ascent along a narrow steel cable leading to the top of the Brooklyn Bridge 276 feet above the East River. Pazmino is not a daredevil - but a city employee responsible for taking care of the two American flags atop the iconic landmark. "It's beautiful. It's like, when you go underneath those two towers, it's like being in a cathedral," Pazmino said. Pazmino has worked for the city's Transportation Department for 30 years. For 27 of them, he's been taking care of the flags on the bridges. The Brooklyn Bridge is his favorite.”
Doppelgänger Flags: Do You Know Which Is Which?- New York Times
"All the countries of the world are different — but some of their flag designs are a little too similar for comfort. On Wednesday, those similarities came to the fore when New Zealand’s acting prime minister renewed calls for Australia to change its flag, saying it “copied” New Zealand’s. Flag confusion can lead to the occasional international faux pas or awkward Olympic ceremony. We’ve created this short quiz to help save you from any future flag embarrassment.”
Monday to bring flag he rescued to Arkansas - Arkansas Online
"Amid the ongoing controversy surrounding NFL players kneeling for the national anthem and the presentation of the American flag by our military comes some good new locally. One of our own, Rick Monday, is coming home to give a talk on the significance of the American flag. Many will remember April 25, 1976, when Monday -- then the center fielder for the Chicago Cubs -- saw two people in Dodger Stadium run onto the field carrying a flag, lighter fluid and a lighter. As they tried to set the flag on fire, Monday swooped in, grabbed the flag and carried it off the field. Monday, a native of Batesville, will bring that flag with him in November when he comes to Arkansas to raise money for the MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History in Little Rock.
Confederate Flag License Plates Are Getting More Popular in Tennessee - Time
"The popularity of Confederate flag license plates in Tennessee has hit a 10-year high, according to data from the state’s department of revenue. There were almost 3,300 active Sons of Confederate Veterans plates in Tennessee at the end of June, the Nashville Tennessean reports. While that’s a small number overall — Tennessee has a population of around 6.7 million, and more than 5.6 million passenger license plates in circulation — it represents a 72% increase over the end of fiscal year 2015, the year debates about the Confederate flag broke out in earnest, according to the newspaper.
Vietnam veteran says man burned neighborhood's American flags - Fox 4 (Video)
"One Vietnam veteran woke up to a man burning the neighborhood's American flags in a gas grill. According to deputies, Joel Teltow had just been released from Salus Care before being arrested for the act. "It just meant something very special, regarding our country," said David Kaczmarek, the Vietnam veteran who says he immediately called Lee County Deputies after waking up to red flames outside his window. According to LCSO, Teltow was burning flags he had collected throughout the Bonita Springs neighborhood in a gas grill behind his mother's home..
Kansas officials seek altered US flag's removal from museum - AP News
"Republican Gov. Jeff Colyer and a top GOP rival called Thursday for the University of Kansas to remove an altered U.S. flag from its campus completely rather than showing it in an art museum after complaints prompted an end to its being displayed publicly outside. Colyer and other Republicans saw flying the altered flag as a public art display as disrespectful. He said during a Fox News Radio interview Thursday that the piece should be returned to the artist.
As Trump targets trade, a Chinese factory says it's been hired to make flags for Trump's 2020 campaign - Business Insider
"As the US's trade conflict with China heats up and President Donald Trump's reelection campaign gets underway, a Chinese manufacturer says his factory has been hired to create flags for Trump's 2020 bid. The factory, which used to make red scarves for the communist Young Pioneers before China opened up its trade, now makes about 100,000 international flags a day. "We also make flags for Trump for 2020," Li Jiang told NPR's "The Indicator" podcast. "It seems like he has another campaign going on in 2020. Isn't that right?" NPR said Li was making "blue-and-white Trump 2020 flags," though his factory and many others in the Zhejiang province in eastern China also made flags for Trump and Hillary Clinton during 2016. According to NPR, the Trump campaign was ordering so many more flags than Clinton's side that locals joked they were the first to know the businessman would become president.
Why synagogues started putting American flags in the sanctuary - Jewish Telegraphic Agency
"Jewish tourists from North America are likely to notice one big difference when visiting synagogues around the world. Though a plethora of symbols, such as stars of David and menorahs, may be displayed, national flags are rare inside the sanctuary. Meanwhile, in the United States and Canada, an American or Canadian flag (and sometimes both) are commonly displayed on the bimah, or ritual stage, often alongside an Israeli flag. When did this uniquely North American Jewish custom originate and why? According to historian Gary Zola, you can thank a patriotic wave during World War I and, later, the birth of Israel.
Eugene man celebrates Independence Day through symbolism of flags - KMTR 16 NBC (Video)
Friend of FlagandBanner.com
"While most folks celebrated the Fourth of July with fireworks, one local Eugene man is going above and beyond to display his appreciation for America's freedom. "If you take care of your flags, your flags will take care of you. If you take care of them, they will continue to represent you." His name is Robin Hickman.
Local DAR chapter gives two tactile flags to blind Marine veteran - The Villages Daily Sun
"More than a dozen flags sat in front of the members of the John Bartram Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution on Friday. Two of them were especially important. On the day after Flag Day, the chapter gave two tactile flags to Rosalie Spada, a legally blind veteran of the U.S. Marines. The Village of Orange Blossom Gardens resident served in the Korean War and pursued a career in nursing after she was honorably discharged. She went to nursing school thanks to the GI Bill but eventually decided to be a teacher.
Woodchucks taking flags from local cemetery - ABC News 10
"Last week residents in Adams, MA were outraged after finding several flags missing from veterans’ graves at Bellevue Cemetery. They spent days trying to figure out who stole them, but now they think they found the culprit, who buried themselves in a big hole. Mark Paquette was watering flowers at Bellevue as he does often, when he couldn’t believe what he saw. "It was just flag poles on the ground broken," Mark said. He found flags missing from all of the veterans’ graves at the bottom of a hill, with poles left in their holders or broken on the ground. "Who would do something like this? And what would they be doing with the flags?" Mark said “I was concerned that it was vandalism.”
Flag Day: Las Cruces police chief reflects on history, freedom - The Las Cruces Bulletin
"Today is Flag Day. It celebrates the date in 1777 (241 years ago) when the Second Continental Congress adopted the Stars and Stripes as the official flag of the United States. “What an appropriate day to ask such a question (What does the American flag mean to you?) – the 74th anniversary of D-Day (June 6),” said Las Cruces Police Chief Patrick Gallagher. “A day that says everything you need to know about our flag. A day when thousands of young men, mostly teenagers from all walks of life, half a world away from their homes, stormed the beaches of Normandy in the name of liberty to defend everything our flag represents.”
FLYING COLOURS World Cup flags – your group-by-group guide to the flag of every team at Russia 2018 - The Sun
" Impress your friends by checking out this handy A to H of national banners. A CHAOS of colour is flooding Russia as fans wave, paint or wrap themselves in flags to support their home side. But can you tell all 32 apart? Get familiar with the competing countries' stars, suns and symbols with our handy group-by-group guide."
A Wisconsin museum displays rare Civil War flag - WISN 12 ABC
"A 157-year-old flag from the Civil War is on display at a Green Bay museum. The flag with a "Great Star" pattern was hand sewn by a Green Bay woman and is on display at the Neville Public Museum, Wisconsin Public Radio reported. The flag is part of the "Our Brown County" display. It's believed to have flown for a rally at the beginning of the Civil War and to have been displayed over what was Fort Howard in Wisconsin until about 1865. "It was one of the last flags to fly over Fort Howard," said Lisa Kain, the museum's curator. "It's a rare pattern, significant to that time period so that also makes it so special." The museum acquired the flag in 1934, Kain said. It was recently rediscovered in the museum's archive, which has more than 300,000 physical items."
All NFL Players 'Shall Stand And Show Respect' For Flag And Anthem, League Says - NPR
" Unveiling a new policy after months of controversy and debate over players taking a knee or otherwise making statements during the national anthem, the NFL says all of its athletes and staff "shall stand and show respect for the flag and the Anthem" if they're on the field. "Personnel who choose not to stand for the Anthem may stay in the locker room or in a similar location off the field until after the Anthem has been performed," the league said in its new policy. The possibility that the NFL might issue a blanket restriction on protests during the anthem has been discussed for months, and the buzz gained new momentum this week."
Gas station chain denies it stopped flying U.S. flag because it offended foreigners- The State
"Two weeks ago, a man who described himself as a trucker posted a video saying that he was done with a national chain of gas stations because one location in Texas was not flying the American flag. He said he asked an employee why there was no flag and was told it caused "foreigners come in here complaining, and they didn't want to lose the foreigners business." That explanation did not sit well with Dave Moore, and he shared his thoughts on the incident. His Facebook post went viral and the video was viewed more than a million times before it was removed from his page."
Jets fans say they weren't allowed to bring Canadian flag, Jets garb into Las Vegas arena- CBC.ca
"A Winnipeg Jets fan says she was forced to discard a Canadian flag in a waste receptacle after T-Mobile Arena would not allow it inside the venue. Lori Black said her Canadian flag wound up in the trash after security informed her she could not carry it into the arena on Friday, where the Jets played the Vegas Golden Knights in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals. Black said she was given two choices: "Throw it out or take it back to my hotel," she said via Facebook Messenger."
A small Maine town wants its own flag - Bangor Daily News
"The Bristol selectmen on May 2 reviewed a draft design of a town flag, created by vexillologist Dave Martucci. According to Town Administrator Chris Hall, Lincoln Academy students have requested town flags to hang at the school. Bristol does not have a town flag. Hall contacted Martucci, who lives in Washington and has been involved in vexillology since 1966, to draft a flag design. Vexillology is the study of flags. The design includes diagonal sections or “gyrons” alternating between blue and white. This represents the light from the Pemaquid Point lighthouse, which “guides navigators, much as the people of Bristol guide their town into the future,” Martucci said in an email to Hall."
5,000 Israeli flags inscribed by well-wishers across world - Israel21c
"In honor of Israel’s 70th anniversary, 5,000 Israeli flags signed by 200,000 well-wishers from across the world will be placed in a time capsule at Jerusalem’s Ammunition Hill historic site to be opened in 2048 on Israel’s centenary. At least 200 of the blue-and-white banners will hang from poles in the center’s main hall for several months starting on Jerusalem Day (May 13 this year) before joining the others in the capsule. They’ll be preserved in special envelopes and catalogued so signers can find their flags easily in 30 years’ time."
Iranian Lawmakers Burn U.S. Flag, Question Trump’s ‘Mental Capacity’ After Nuclear Deal Pullout - New York Magazine
"Iranian lawmakers did not take kindly to President Trump’s announcement Tuesday that the U.S. is walking away from the Iran nuclear deal, chanting “Death to America” and torching a paper American flag on the floor of Parliament in Tehran Wednesday. While the burning of Old Glory isn’t rare in Iran, this was the “first time political observers could remember anything being burned inside the parliament itself,” the AP reports."
Statewide collection underway for worn American Flags to be properly disposed - News 10
"The New York State Office of General Services is collecting worn and tattered American flags at locations across the state so they can be properly retired. The collected flags will be disposed of as part of the Memorial Watchfire hosted by the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 103, on Sunday, May 27th, 2018 at the New York State Fairgrounds, Syracuse, NY. "American flags should be retired with respect and honor and this collection program provides New Yorkers with a simple way to accomplish this," Governor Andrew Cuomo said."
A flag demonstration is getting attention at a Mercer County school - WYTV 33 (video)
"There are two sides to a flag demonstration that took place Thursday at Lakeview High School in Mercer County. Students put American flags on their cars before school. One student claims he was told to remove a Confederate and an American flag from his vehicle on Monday. The demonstration Thursday was arranged to show support for the country. District Superintendent Dr. Hendley Hoge said the student was asked to remove a Confederate flag because it could be viewed as racially insensitive. Hoge said the student willingly took it down."
Reno City Council chooses new official flag - KOLO 8 (video)
" Community input via the Reno Flag Project has led to the Reno City Council to choose a design for a new official municipal flag. Pending specifications, the design by Reno resident Tucker Stosic was chosen, with a star from the Reno Arch, the golden yellow depicting the high desert, a blue stripe representing the Truckee River under the Sierra Nevada, a semi-circle below for the Silver State."
Operation Fallen Flags unveils Glory Truck, new program to replace old flags in Rockford - RRSTAR.com (video)
"A first-of-its-kind program will send local veterans around Rockford to replace old or tattered American flags at no cost. Operation Fallen Flags kicked off Saturday with the unveiling of a tool that will keep flags from falling out of reach of replacement. It’s called the Flagship 1 Glory Truck, a 1989 GMC bucket truck that’s been completely restored and decorated with stars and stripes. An olive-green parachute, like the ones used to drop packages into deployment zones, covered the Glory Truck as it sat on the sidewalk in front of Veterans Memorial Hall and Museum, 211 N. Main Street, before it was unveiled. Veterans and the families of those currently deployed cheered as the parachute was lifted and a flag attached to the bottom of the truck’s bucket was raised high above the crowd."
American flags cover bridge over Interstate 680 in Boardman - WKBN 27(video)
"Another bridge in the Mahoning Valley was covered with American Flags on Sunday. Around 120 flags were put on the Western Reserve bridge over Interstate 680. The Mahoning County Veterans Service Commission wants the flags to welcome people to the area and let them know that we support our veterans here. They're also committed to making these flags a Valley mainstay. "This is our third bridge, and the flags were bought and paid for by the Mahoning County Veterans Service Commission in support of veterans," said Susan Krawchyk of the commission."
Jacksonville man can keep flying military flags after he's issued warning - Action News Jax CBS 47 (video)
"A Jacksonville city worker has been placed on leave after she allegedly told a veteran his service to the United States didn't matter while giving a business a warning for flying military flags. The story quickly went viral and many people have come out in support of the veteran and Jaguar Power Sports."
Iran Caught in Global Cyber Attack That Left US Flag on Screens - VOA News
"Hackers have attacked networks in a number of countries, including data centers in Iran where they left the image of a U.S. flag on screens along with a warning: “Don’t mess with our elections,” the Iranian IT ministry said Saturday. “The attack apparently affected 200,000 router switches across the world in a widespread attack, including 3,500 switches in our country,” the Communication and Information Technology Ministry said in a statement carried by Iran’s official news agency IRNA."
"Flags may look simple, but the art behind them is surprisingly complex. First, they need to reflect a nation's identity. Second, they need to convey that identity in a clear, memorable and aesthetically pleasing manner. That's a tall order when you're dealing with a small rectangle and two to four colours (unless you're South Sudan). Some nations rise to the task beautifully (Canada, Wales, Japan). Others fall short. Others – specifically those listed below – fall so far short that they're underground. "
Blue Lights and Flags Honor Victims of Child Abuse in Pennsylvania - WNEP 16 News
"The state capitol building in Harrisburg is lit up and surrounded by blue, in honor of innocent children. April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. On Saturday, volunteers and members of the Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance planted 4,416 flags around the capitol complex. The flags stand in honor of the children who are abused in the commonwealth in one year. The group also planted 46-black flags to honor the number of children killed by abuse. Event organizers hope this gives people a visual understanding of how important the issue is in Pennsylvania and that it prompts every person to step up and help. "I would just like to have families in Pennsylvania recognize that there is support and alternatives to the stressful moments when we may break as a parent, and that there are support mechanisms in place to help prevent the abuse that are children are facing," said volunteer Maureen Fairbanks."
"Flags Across America" celebrates the flag as seen through the eyes of Americans - New Day Northwest / K5 News
"The American flag is an iconic symbol and evokes strong of emotions for many citizens of the United States. The new book called Flags Across America celebrates the flag through the eyes of everyday people all across the country. From athletes to artists, from the heartland to outer space, the book shares their stories and dreams. Local co-authors, Karen Robbins and Dale Baskin join New Day Northwest to discuss their new book."
The Thin Line Between the Public and Danger, FlagandBanner.com offers Thin Line Flags to honor those who serve the public - FlagandBanner.com Press Release
"In the 1950s LAPD Chief Bill Parker coined the term “thin blue line” as the barrier between law and order and social and civil anarchy. By the early 1970s, the term had spread to police departments across the U.S. Use of the term became especially widespread following the release of Errol Morris' 1988 documentary film The Thin Blue Line. Recently other service branches have adopted Thin Lines in varying colors. Firefighters have adopted a red line, EMTs, a white one. “We have carried the thin blue and thin red line flags at FlagandBanner.com for many years,” says Kerry McCoy, President of FlagandBanner.com. “We have recently added to our Thin Line Flag collection for those who want to show support for those who protect and serve the public at great mental and physical cost.” The complete list of Thin Line Flags from FlagandBanner.com: …"
Mesmerizing, Or A Hot Mess? Why Maryland’s State Flag Looks So…Distinct - WAMU/American University Radio
"…Whether you’re a Maryland flag lover or hater, the red, white, black, and gold pattern is hard to forget. But the history behind it is less well-known. The story of the Maryland state flag started about 400 years ago, and it’s one that fascinates historians, vexillologists (flag experts), design buffs, and regular citizens alike. Maryland’s flag is comprised of four distinct quadrants. In the first and fourth, black and gold (yes, it’s gold, not yellow) stripes alternate, and a diagonal stripe of opposite colors cuts down the middle. This design comes from the coat of arms of George Calvert, also known as the first Lord Baltimore. In the early 1630s, Calvert dreamed up the idea for a Maryland colony, and successfully petitioned the King for a charter. But he died five weeks before the charter was finalized, and left the task of starting the colony to his son, Cecil. Cecil, the second Lord Baltimore, had a slightly more complicated coat of arms than his father. It alternated his father’s black and gold striped pattern, with the red and white checkered cross pattern from the coat of arms of his mother’s family, the Crosslands, much like the Maryland flag does today."
Bolivians unfurl massive flag in support for sea access claim - Laramie Boomerang
"Bolivia unfurled a nearly 200-km long (124 miles) bright blue flag on Saturday in a show of support for the landlocked country’s bid to regain sovereign access to the sea. Tens of thousands of Bolivians held the so-called“flag of maritime revindication,” which stretched like a long ribbon along a highway in the Andes between the towns Oruro and Apacheta, on the outskirts of La Paz. The display of patriotism aims to cheer on Bolivia’s legal team ahead of oral arguments it will deliver at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding the country’s claim to sovereign access to Chile’s Pacific coast. Bolivia lost its access to the Pacific Ocean in a late 19th century war with Chile, but maintains a navy and wants a corridor to the sea to boost its exports of natural gas and minerals. “We’ll show the International Court of Justice and all people on the planet that our cause is just, reasonable and sound,” President Evo Morales said after flying over the flag in a helicopter."
‘People still love America’: Flag cruises show support for military, first responders - Laramie Boomerang
"A 2005 Dodge Ram comes roaring past, catching the attention of the pedestrians and other drivers in its vicinity. A pickup is not an unusual sight in the rural state of Wyoming, but the large American, Prisoner of War and state flags rippling proudly over the truck bed are. Behind the wheel is Jaren Long, a Wyoming Army National Guardsman who said he wants to show his support for the military, law enforcement and first responders. “Growing up, everything was so patriotic, you know, and I feel like we’re living in a world now where patriotism is shown to kids as a bad thing in a lot of circumstances,” he said. “And I just kind of want the community to see people still love America.” A “flag cruise” involves driving through town with flags affixed to one’s vehicle. For some, this means 4-by-6-inch red, white and blue flags attached to a sedan. For Long and many other flag-cruisers, it means full-size flags of all varieties waving from sturdy poles mounted in the bed of a pickup. Long said his flags show support for veterans, police, firefighters and paramedics. His group, Laramie Flag Cruises, however, would welcome cruisers with most kinds of flags, whether they fly the Gadsden flag known for its rattlesnake and ‘Don’t Tread on Me’ slogan, the rainbow gay pride flag, or a flag supporting any number of political causes."
Oscars 2018: Here's why stars are wearing orange American flag pins on the red carpet - USA Today
Awards show red carpets have become a place for celebrities to express their support for timely initiatives. At Sunday's Oscar Awards, we're seeing a new addition: Orange American flag pins. Stars will don the accessory from the advocacy group Everytown for Gun Safety in support of gun violence prevention after the Florida school shooting. "Tonight, actors and allies will #WearOrange pins and ribbons on the #Oscars red carpet to bring awareness to gun violence prevention in the wake of the Parkland school shooting," the organization confirmed via Twitter Sunday. The shooting, which occurred on Feb. 14, killed 17 students and staff and injured 14 others at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. Lin-Manuel Miranda was one of the stars wearing the orange pin.
An American flag was destroyed and replaced with an ISIS flag at a Utah high school - The Washington Post
As territory for the Islamic State shrinks to ribbons around the Euphrates River in Syria, the militant group has repositioned itself in western Africa, Yemen and southwestern Utah. Wait, back up. Where? Officers in Hurricane, Utah, said Thursday that an American flag was ripped from a flagpole, desecrated, slashed and replaced with something resembling the notorious black ISIS banner. Authorities also discovered a truncated message scrawled on a wall: “ISIS IS COMI.” Police said that they referred the criminal act to the FBI, which concluded the incident was probably not connected to anyone in the terrorist group. Classes at Hurricane High School were held as scheduled Thursday and are expected to continue Friday, with police in the St. George suburb saying they are confident there is no danger to students or teachers.”
Local Group Displays Thousands Of Flags For Victims Of Gun Deaths - Indiana Public Media
“In the wake of the Parkland, Florida shooting, a group of local activists is bringing attention to gun violence by displaying thousands of flags only half a mile away from Jasper High School. One Dubois-County is an action-oriented community group. Members setup 2,400 white flags this week to represent gun deaths since 2014. Each flag represents 25 people who died from a gunshot, not including suicides, gang or domestic violence. There are another 695 orange flags forming a heart in the middle of the display. They represent victims killed in mass shootings since Columbine, and include the victims’ names and ages. The group describes a mass shooting as an incident where more than four people die, not including the shooter. Nancy Habig is a member of One Dubois-County. She says the group displayed the flags in her yard because it was close to the high school. She says after being on the school board for 32 years, she supports stricter gun laws. “I just want to stress that we not get too riled up with – or too caught up – in trying to prove each other’s statistics and argue about that,” she says. “It’s more about too many people dying. Too many kids dying.”
Woman Assumes Olympics Fan Is Flying a Confederate Flag. It Was Norwegian. - Time
"A news tip earlier this week that reported a Confederate flag flying beneath an American flag in the Greenwood neighborhood of Seattle, Washington was discovered to be a mistake — because the red and blue-striped flag was actually a Norwegian flag. The Seattle Times received the following tip from New York Times best-selling author Rebecca Morris after she believed that she saw a Confederate flag flying in her neighborhood: "Hi. Suddenly there is a Confederate flag flying in front of a house in my Greenwood neighborhood. It is at the north-east corner of 92nd and Palatine, just a block west of 92nd and Greenwood Ave N. I would love to know what this ‘means’ … but of course don’t want to knock on their door. Maybe others in the area are flying the flag? Maybe it’s a story? Thank you." However, a more thorough examination revealed that it was actually a Norwegian flag was flying at the house of Darold Norman Strangeland,…”
Editorial: Black Lives Matter flags banners of hope - Burlington Free Press
"The raising of the Black Lives Matter flag at Burlington High School on Monday should serve as a banner of hope in a time when our society seems so divided over race. The BLM flag should be seen as a call to recognize the everyday racism, big and small, faced by people of color in the community, and as a call to have the honest discussion about race that needs happen throughout the state. Those who shout back, “all lives matter” in response to the Black Lives Matter banner deny the very real racism that is the daily reality of many black and other people of color, even in Vermont. Those who smear Black Lives Matter as a movement of racists and terrorists are merely reflecting their own hate triggered by having to confront their privilege. The Black Lives Matter has never been about placing black lives above all others. Violence against police has never been a part of the mainstream movement. Stray calls to “kill cops” recorded at a few massive rallies hardly represent the vast majority who seek justice and an end to racial violence. The Black Lives Matter movement is a plea in the face of evidence that the dominant culture in this country continues to devalue the lives of black people.”
Shaun White apologizes for letting American flag drag on the ground after winning gold - The Washington Post
"Shaun White apologized Wednesday for letting an American flag drag on the ground in the aftermath of his dramatic victory in the snowboard halfpipe. White authored what will undoubtedly go down as one of the most indelible sequences of the PyeongChang Olympics Wednesday, winning his third Olympic gold medal with a masterful final run and immediately launching into a highly emotional celebration. However, that happy moment was marred for more than a few viewers because of the way the 31-year-old handled the flag. At a news conference in PyeongChang Wednesday afternoon, the four-time Olympian said he wasn’t aware he’d let the flag touch the ground. “I remember being handed the flag. I was trying to put my gloves on and hold the flag and the board,” he said. “Honestly, if there was anything, I definitely didn’t mean any disrespect. The flag that’s flying on my house right now is way up there. Sorry for that. But I’m definitely proud — very proud — to be a part of Team USA and being an American and to be representing for everyone back home.”
Mike Ashley bans Newcastle flags display v Manchester United? – 100% predictable - The Mag
"Sunday morning has seen the Newcastle fans behind the Flags displays reveal that there won’t be anything on show at the Manchester United match today. The ‘Wor Hyem’ fans group have used their Twitter account to inform everybody that due to ‘restrictions’ they are ‘unable to put on a display today’. When the excellent flags banner was revealed before the Burnley match, using the Kevin Keegan quote about Mike Ashley (see below), most supporters assumed that this would mean the end of the flag displays. However, local media then claimed that Mike Ashley wasn’t going to ban them, only now for this mornings news to appear to contradict that.. Reading between the lines, the fan group are being very diplomatic in what they are saying, so maybe safe to assume that this is maybe a yellow card rather than a red issued by the Fat Controller. Today’s match against Manchester United is arguably the biggest of the season and very likely to have the largest worldwide TV audience of the season as well. So Mike Ashley wanting to avoid any chance of him being so publicly embarrassed, with possibly flags returning (with restrictions….????) for the non-televised lower profile home game with Southampton on 10 March?"
Lisbon plans Founder’s Day pancake - Morning Journal News
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"Lisbon’s 11th annual Founder’s Day will be celebrated on Saturday with a pancake breakfast at the Methodist Church. The breakfast will run from 8-11:30 a.m. The cost is $6 for adults, $3 for children 6-12 and free for those 5 and under. The Founder’s Day event will celebrate the birthday of Lisbon, which is Feb. 16, 1803. This year’s event will celebrate the Lisbon flag with two flags of Lisbon being presented later at village hall. Proceeds from the breakfast will go toward paying for the flags, which were a part of a similar anniversary celebration more than 100 years ago. According to The Ohio Patriot — a newspaper from Sept. 12, 1913 and provided by Stevie Halverstadt — Lisbon celebrated Lisbon’s Old Home Week with the adoption of a new flag. Held as a celebration of the 110th anniversary of the founding of the town, it reportedly was an event attended by hundreds. Several local dignitaries spoke at the event about the history of the village. During the ceremony, the Lisbon Business Association presented the flag during the two-day celebration. Halverstadt notes Lisbon’s flag was initially the same as the town’s namesake in Portugal. However, in 1913 both Lisbon, Portugal, and Lisbon, Ohio, updated their flags. Halverstadt said the new colors of the flag were blue and white. However, the Lisbon, Ohio, blue was modified to a royal blue from navy blue. According to Halverstadt this was done “so they didn’t show political party partiality.” "
American Flag That Flew Over Groton Flown To Olympics With Skeleton Crew - Caledonian Record
"An American flag that briefly flew over the Groton Fire Department last fall made its way this week to the site of the Olympic games, contested later this month in Pyeongchang, South Korea. The flag was one of four sent throughout the country as part of the Team USA Bobsled and Skeleton American Flag First Responders Relay. It is a project created by Matthew Troy, a filmmaker serving as the videographer for the bobsled and skeleton teams, based in Lake Placid, N.Y. The idea for the project came to Troy last summer, when he was with the Olympic athletes for a “flag etiquette” presentation given by one of the athletes (and member of the US Military). “Attending that presentation reminded me of my time with the National Honor Guard Academy, and the pride that came with learning how to properly handle and display a symbol of unity and pride in our nation,” Troy stated. “That’s where the idea of this project came up, because I thought that if I am filled with such pride and patriotic sentiment in being a volunteer for the team, maybe relaying a few flags across the United States would be a way to capture the spirit of first responders that we could somehow pass to the Team.” He likened the relay aspect of the flags going from state to state with the relay of the Olympic torch. "
Business owners concerned rules over fluttering flags could mean fluttering business - WINK News
"Fluttering, feather flags, pennants and other signs are a common sight along the US-41 business corridor in Charlotte County. For business owners like Tonya Marx, the additional signage is a tool to get people through the door. “Before we ever had those signs, nobody even knew we were here,” Marx said, “Now that we have the signs up, we get people stopping here and I’m like ‘how did you find out about us?’ and they say from the signs out front.” But soon you’ll see fewer of these signs in Charlotte County. Starting April 1, signs can only go on display for 90 days a year, broken into two 45-day periods and business owners have to get a permit each time. Charlotte county zoning official Shaun Cullinan said, “We were starting to get a lot of complaints … that it was starting to look kind of dumpy, trashy. People felt that it was too much. … we felt it was time to improve the aesthetics of our commercial corridor.” But business owners say the new rules will hurt their bottom line."
First World War-era hospital flags to “fly again” thanks to generous donation - North Norfolk News
"They once marked the location of two temporary First World War hospitals in North Walsham where the Red Cross nursed injured troops. Today the white and red pennants have turned grey with age, and languish in the parish church where they have been stored for years. But a joint initiative between the vicar and the Friends of North Walsham War Memorial Hospital is providing replicas to remind people of the town’s nursing heritage. And it has been made possible by a donation from a well-known local shopkeeper and musician with connections to both organisations. A collection in memory of musician Denis Payne, who died in November 2016 aged 86, is being used to provide two £300 replicas for the church where he used to play keyboards at funerals, and where he gave visitors tours of its history. And the Friends group is buying one to put in the hospital which cared for Mr Payne, who ran the family sweet shop in town for many years, when he was ill in later life. The church flags will go in the war memorial chapel which honours 99 men who served their country but did not return home."
Daily Mail apologises to Nicola Sturgeon over flag story - BBC News
"The Scottish Daily Mail has published an apology to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon over its story about flying the Union flag. It had reported that Ms Sturgeon "decreed" that the flag should not be flown over dozens of public buildings to mark royal events. The Mail said it was "happy" to clarify that the decision was taken by former First Minister Alex Salmond in 2010. Ms Sturgeon said the original story was "utterly false". In its clarifications and corrections section, the Mail said: "We are happy to clarify that the decision to change the policy on flag flying was taken and implemented by former First Minister Alex Salmond in 2010. "The Protocol and Honours Team updated operational guidance in December 2017. "We accept that the policy did not change under Nicola Sturgeon and that she had no involvement in the Protocol and Honours Team updating the operational guidance on flag flying for 2018."
Oklahoma School for the Blind receives Braille American flags - The Norman Transcript
"Raised stars and stripes can help Oklahoma School for the Blind students gain a better understanding of the American flag, officials said. WoodmenLife, a fraternal insurance carrier, presented 20 tactile Braille American flags, plus a framed Braille flag, to OSB history students Tuesday. Fraternal Coordinator Billie Floyd said the company is helping the Braille flag's creator, Randolph Cabral, reach his goal of placing a flag in each school for the visually impaired in the United States. OSB is the first school to get such flags, Floyd said. "WoodmenLife has distributed more than 3 million (regular) American flags," Floyd said. "We started the patriotic program in 1947... We're adding on to our patriotic program with the Braille flags. OSB Principal Lynn Cragg accepted the donation. "It's an honor that visually impaired students, who maybe are Braille users, can access the flag and understand how it is set out," Cragg said. OSB student John Duong, 15, said he plans to put his flag in his room. "It means freedom and peace for me," Duong said. "
Why won't Team USA dip its flag at Olympic opening ceremonies? - PRI
"It's an Olympic tradition: As teams from around the world parade in a grand opening ceremony, they briefly lower their flags in a show of respect as they pass the host nation's officials. But at the Rio 2016 opening ceremony, you'll notice that Team USA won't lower their flag. Indeed, the United States has a long tradition of ignoring this gesture. Legend says it all started in 1908, when flag bearer Ralph Rose, an Irish American shot putter, refused to dip the US flag at the London Olympics. "The suspicion is that because the Irish team then had to compete under the Union Jack, he refused to dip the flag to the Union Jack and to British officials, in protest," says Edgar B. Herwick III, who runs the Curiosity Desk at WGBH. For a while after that, US flag protocol at the Olympics was a hodgepodge. "We dipped it in Sweden in 1912. We didn’t dip in Belgium in 1920. We dipped again in Paris in 1924," says Herwick. It became a solid tradition for the United States to not dip the flag in 1936. Then, both the Summer and Winter Olympics were in Germany. Hitler’s Germany."
North, South Korea agree to march under ‘unification flag’ at Olympic opening ceremony - TheStar.com
"The rival Koreas agreed Wednesday to form their first unified Olympic team and have their athletes parade together for the first time in 11 years during the opening ceremony of next month’s Winter Olympics in South Korea, officials said. The agreements still require approval from the International Olympic Committee. But they are the most prominent steps toward rapprochement achieved by the Koreas since they recently began exploring co-operation during the Olympics following a year of heightened tension over the North’s nuclear weapons program. During their third day of talks at the border in about a week, senior officials reached a package of agreements including fielding a joint women’s ice hockey team and marching together under a “unification flag” depicting their peninsula during the opening ceremony, Seoul’s Unification Ministry said."
Mississippi could become the first US state to have 2 official flags because of a dispute over the Confederacy - Business Insider
"A Mississippi lawmaker is proposing a solution that he hopes will finally bring an end to one of the state's most divisive issues, The Wall Street Journal reported. Earlier this month, Republican Rep. Greg Snowden filed a bill that would allow two flag designs to officially represent the state. If the measure passes, Mississippi would be the only US state with two flags. Mississippi's current flag, which features the symbol for the Confederacy, would be left untouched. A proposed second flag would bring back an old design used on the state's official flag from 1861 until the end of the Civil War in 1865. That design features a magnolia tree in the center of the flag and a white star against a blue background in the top-left corner, replacing the controversial Confederate emblem currently in its place."
Curious Texas: Why can Texas fly its flag at the same height as the U.S. flag? - Dallas News
"Jerry Hilton from Arlington asks: Is Texas the only state that can fly its state flag at the same height as the U.S. flag? Also what is the height of the Capitol? Texans are special for a lot of reasons, but this isn't one of them. As the oft-repeated story goes, because Texas was once an independent nation, it is the only state that can fly its flag at the same height as the U.S. flag. The story isn't exactly right. All states can fly their flags at the same height as the U.S. flag, with some stipulations. The U.S. Flag Code is a set of guidelines that recommend how to display the flag. Although there is no penalty for breaking the code, it stipulates that no other flag may be placed in "superior prominence" to the U.S. flag. For example, if multiple flags share the same pole, the U.S. flag must fly at the peak."
New resting place available for flags that have served their time - Morning Journal
"Whether flown over the graves of veterans until faded, frayed from months of flapping outside halls of justice or worn from being trundled up and down the flagpole in a working family’s front yard each morning and night, American flags that have served their time can be disposed of with dignity, thanks to a local veterans’ group. The Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1064 of East Liverpool provides special flag boxes in several locations for those whose American flags need replaced, and one of those boxes has now been relocated for better access to the public. According to members Ray Talbott and Bill Ash, the box which had sat in the entryway of the local Elks Lodge for some time was moved onto the sidewalk when the Elks enclosed the entry. "
Flag & Banner ringing in 2018 with new shiny, golden tradition - THV 11
"A large, metallic gold flag flies high above the headquarters of Flag and Banner to ring in the new year. It was the idea of Flag and Banner founder, Kerry McCoy, after seeing similar flags in New York on a recent trip. “I went to Rockefeller Center in New York last month and was in awe of the shimmering, gold flags that were flying on their flag poles,” said McCoy. “It’s hard to describe the effect. The cloth is very lightweight, which means the flags really move in the wind, and the gold color is almost luminescent.” So, she came home and had one made for Flag and Banner. Constructed of an extremely lightweight lamé material with a metallic gold thread, the flag is a show stopper. She has been getting numerous calls a day since the flag went up asking about its significance and how to order one. McCoy’s hope is that a new tradition will begin where each January of every new year gold flags will fly as a symbol of hope."
PATRIOTIC HONOR PROMPTS BIG RESPONSE - Coeur d'Alene/Post Falls Press
" A spontaneous, final honor for a veteran who had died has sparked widespread praise and prompted Post Falls residents to donate flags and money so the act can be repeated for other veterans who die in the city, outside a medical facility. When Post Falls Police Department personnel were investigating the death by natural causes of Bill McRory, 70, on Thursday, Detective Neil Uhrig used his own money to have officers purchase an American flag to honor the veteran with respect, Chief Scot Haug said. “When the funeral home arrived, our officers and detectives covered the veteran with the flag as he was transferred to the funeral home vehicle," Haug wrote in an online comment. "We had not done this before, but after listening to the impact this had on the officers and the family, we are considering it for all future death investigations involving veterans.” The gesture that Haug highlighted also had an impact on community members who responded over the weekend by dropping off flags and monetary donations to buy them for similar future cases. Mia McRory, a daughter of Bill’s, said her family was extremely thankful for the gesture. Bill served in the Navy from 1965 to 1971 during the Vietnam War. He loved the Pittsburgh Steelers, watching football, fishing, woodworking and spending time with his children and grandchildren."
EU flags appear in 'peaceful protest' against Brexit in Worcestershire - Worcester News
" EUROPEAN Union flags have appeared across Worcestershire as part of a 'peaceful protest' against Brexit. Activists have targeted landmarks around Malvern and also planted smaller flags on Worcester's Whittington roundabout. Worcestershire County Council has pledged to remove the signs on the roundabout as soon as possible. The EU Flag Mafia has claimed responsibility for draping the flags over Malvern's Elgar statue and the Malvern Link railway station footbridge. A spokesman for the group said: "Our official stance is that the EU is not perfect, but Brexit is not the answer. "Hanging flags is peaceful protest, cheeky British humour with a serious message." It is not yet clear who planted the mini-EU flags on Whittington roundabout. Steven Mather, a spokesman for Worcestershire for Europe, said: "We are not aware that the EU flags were planted by any of our members, so we assume it was a member of the public."
The 50-Star American Flag Began as a High School Project—and It Only Got a B - Reader’s Digest
"After learning about Betsy Ross, you probably didn’t give much thought to how the subsequent U.S flags were designed. It might seem like a no-brainer; flagmakers just added a new star for every new state, right? Well, turns out it’s not that simple. Each new flag has a very careful design, and the arrangement of the stars must be precise and symmetrical. And for the flag we know today, that arrangement was designed by a high schooler—before Alaska and Hawaii were even states. In 2009, the designer, Bob Heft, told his tale to StoryCorps. It was 1958, and America only contained 48 United States. The flag at that time featured six rows of eight stars. Heft’s history teacher assigned a class project where each student had to bring in something they made. Having been “inspired by the Betsy Ross story,” and hearing rumblings that Alaska and Hawaii could both soon gain statehood, Heft decided to make a 50-star flag. So he made some adjustments to his parents’ 48-star flag, brought it in, and triumphantly placed it on his teacher’s desk."
Southern Miss professor starts flag collection: 'Statement of quiet support' - Hattiesburg American
" Russ Willis has always been interested in foreign countries and international travel. As a kid, the University of Southern Mississippi assistant teaching professor would look up foreign countries in the encyclopedia to find out about the languages spoken there and what the customs were like. Now, as a teacher in the Department of Management and International Business, he meets foreign students and always has questions for them. "How do they like it here? How did they get here?" Willis said. "Have they gotten acclimated? Have they met friends? "I want to be sure I'm reaching out to them so they're having a good experience." In his six years of teaching, Willis estimates he has had 50-60 international students in his classes. "One of the great, rewarding experiences for me is I get to teach students from all over the world," he said. "It speaks highly of our programs at USM that we are attracting international students."
A Year Later, New City Flag Project Still Bubbling Behind the Scenes - Free Times
" In January 2017, talks began circulating about creating a new flag for the City of Columbia. However, nearly a year later, the old light blue flag garnished with corn and cotton still flies above City Hall. But that might not be the case for too much longer. City officials say the flag issue is still brewing behind the scenes. At-large City Councilman Howard Duvall, who has been working on the new flag project since talks got started nearly a year ago, says he plans on encouraging Council to finish the process in early 2018. “It’s on my to-do list for the new year,” Duvall told Free Times. “I feel like we are going to [have a new flag]."
Shelters put out white flags with cold temperatures - Tristatehomepage.com
"Tuesday night is going to be a cold on in the Tri-State. And for some people, that can be dangerous and even deadly. If you or someone you know is homeless, there are emergency options. Shelters call these nights "white flag events." Shelters will fly a white flag outside for people needing a haven from the weather. In Evansville, there's the Rescue Mission on Walnut St. and the United Caring Shelter downtown. Owensboro has the Daniel Pitino Shelter and St. Benedict's Homeless Shelter."
Statesville leaders leave American flag size standards in place - Statesville Record & Landmark
"A tennis-court-sized American flag still won’t fly over Camping World’s dealership south of Exit 49 on Interstate 77 after a divided city council voted Monday to leave Statesville’s flag regulations unchanged. It was the second time Camping World was blocked from having any chance to legally install a 40-by-80-foot flag on the grounds of its dealership at 1220 Morland Drive. The city denied a request by Camping World in August 2015 to fly an oversized flag there. The flag issue was run up the pole again on Dec. 4 when Councilman John Staford asked city staff members to explore ways to exempt Old Glory from Statesville’s 8-by-12-foot size limits for flags flown at businesses. The renewed flag flap began in June when Marcus Lemonis, CEO of the Bowling Green, Kentucky-based Camping World, called out Statesville to his 1.3 million Twitter followers as one of a dozen cities nationwide that wouldn’t allow oversized American flags at the company’s dealerships. Camping World began installing the flags in 2014."
Korean battle flags tied to Kim Jong Un ancestor unearthed at US Naval Academy - Fox News
"Korean battle flags purportedly connected to Kim Ung-u, a direct ancestor of Kim Jong Un, were found this month at the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Naval Institute (USNI) said Friday. Workers had been opening display cases for the first time since 1920 to remove British flags, according to the institute in Annapolis, Maryland. “Staff from the Naval Academy Museum found several dozen flags hidden behind the framework including the Korean standards that are still vivid.” It's likely the flags were kept behind other items on display because there just wasn't enough space to show them all, officials said. The USNI said the USS General Sherman, a merchant ship, went to Pyongyang in 1866 to try opening the country to trade - but Koreans, believing the ship’s purpose was to loot temples, murdered the crew and set the ship ablaze."
'This Shasta County group participates in Flag and Flower Challenge - KRCR News 7
"A group from Shasta County took on the Preston Sharp Flag and Flower Challenge Monday, placing flags and flowers on the graves of veterans at the Millville Cemetery. Preston Sharp created the challenge after he organized a goal of placing more than 17,500 flags and flowers at cemeteries across Northern California. Sharp began placing a flag and a flower on the graves of veterans in 2015 at the age of ten, creating a lot of buzz in the Northstate and across the country. United Shasta decided to take on the challenge and placed 70-100 flags and flowers to honor the veterans and said a few words to the fallen. United Shasta member, Robert Balke, set up the gathering with the help of Shasta County Supervisor for District 5, Les Baugh. "We've honored some of the veterans out here at the Millville Cemetery. We actually ran out of flags and flowers so we will be back," said Balke. Balke said he wants to keep the challenge going so he's challenging more people to participate."
'This gift represents our country': Flags flown at U.S. Capitol arrive in Killeen - Killeen Daily Herald
" Reaching out from the corridors of the U.S. Congress, a Central Texas congressman delivered a pair of special flags to two new schools in the Killeen Independent School District on Friday. First at Roy J. Smith Middle School and then at Alice W. Douse Elementary School, both in Killeen, field representative Don Nicholas of U.S. Rep. Roger Williams’ office made delivery of folded, cased flags to the schools. The flags each flew over the U.S. Capitol building on Sept. 11. An official certificate verified the flags’ authenticity. In brief ceremonies at each school, KISD Superintendent John Craft greeted Nicholas and told students and staff that Williams is a good friend of the school district and the community. His support of federal Impact Aid and other programs directly benefits the public school system, Craft said. At Smith, he told students that such aid is critical for starting programs like the Middle School STEM Academy located at the new Smith Middle School."
Flags of 3 First Nations permanently installed at Vancouver City Hall - CBCNews | British Columbia
" Vancouver City Council has installed the flags of three First Nations in recognition of Vancouver's traditional Indigenous territories. The flags will be permanent fixtures at City Hall's council chambers. On Wednesday, the city raised the flags of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh nations. Representatives from each nation were present along with Mayor Gregor Robertson. Robertson said the gesture was meant to "to permanently acknowledge Vancouver's location on Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh unceded homelands."
NO PLACE FOR ANTISEMITISM IN GERMANY, MINISTER SAYS AFTER ISRAELI FLAGS BURNED- The Jerusalem Post
"German Justice Minister Heiko Maas said there was no place for anti-Semitism in Germany after demonstrators angered by US President Donald Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel burned Israeli flags in Berlin. On Sunday, about 2,500 people demonstrated in Berlin against Trump's decision and one Israeli flag was burned, police said, adding that investigations into 11 people had been launched, with one of those related to the flag burning. On Friday, hundreds of people gathered outside the US embassy in the German capital for "Day of Rage" protests. Police said later on Twitter that they had detained 10 people during the protest and that 12 criminal charges had been brought - including for burning Israeli flags. Maas told Bild newspaper's Monday edition: "Any kind of antisemitism is an attack on everyone. Antisemitism must never be allowed to have a place (in society) again."
Ohio moves to stop bans on 'Thin Blue Line' flags- PoliceOne.com
" As a way to pay tribute to his fellow officers, retired Columbus Police Sgt. Daniel Guthrie flew the Thin Blue Line flag at his New Albany condominium. The flag, however, violated the rules of his condo association, Rocky Ridge Condominium Complex, so he was forced to take it down. In an effort to ensure that won't happen again, Reps. Anne Gonzales, R-Westerville, and Tim Ginter, R-Salem, came up with a bill that would prevent landlords, mobile-home parks, condo associations and the like from restricting the display of Thin Blue Line flags. The flag, known to some as a Blue Lives Matter flag, is a black and white version of the stars and stripes with a blue line through the center. The Thin Blue Line represents police maintaining order during times of chaos. "With individuals being able to display the flag, they will be able to display respect for officers who bravely put their lives in danger," Ginter said.”
KENYANS REACT TO BILL SEEKING TO ALLOW PEOPLE FLY FLAGS IN HOMES - Nairobi News
"Kenyans online have a lot to say about Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Junior’s new Bill seeking to allow people to fly the national flag in their homes. The senator published a Bill which proposes to amend the National Flag, Emblems and Names Act to allow members of the public to fly the National Flag in their places or residence, work an business. In a Twitter reply, Mutula termed the flag a symbol of unity while defending his Bill, which has eliciting mixed reactions.”
Century-old flags rediscovered in Mahan Hall at Naval Academy - Capital Gazette
"Talk about a find. This week Naval Academy Museum officials started a project to remove, preserve and place 13 flags from the War of 1812 and two Spanish-American War flags into proper storage, said museum Director Claude Berube. The artifacts had remained untouched for nearly a century in the academy’s Mahan Hall. And those were just the flags they could see. They have the 13 flags from America’s last war with Britain, the two from the Spanish-American War — and 46 more they found hidden behind those artifacts. Those flags were captured during American military actions in Asia and the Spanish-American War. There were also some replicas of Revolutionary War-era flags. They were put on display in five cases inside Mahan in 1913 but covered up by the larger War of 1812 flags in 1920. The cases were sealed with a single pane of glass and remained untouched until Tuesday when the glass was cut away. Officials have long believed the artifacts were still tucked away in the cases, but no one is alive who remembers the exhibits being covered up so they didn’t know for sure, museum Managing Director Charles Swift said.”
Illinois Bicentennial Flags Fly - Peoria Public Radio
"Communities across the state raised a very special flag Monday. The Illinois Bicentennial flag raising happened at municipal and county buildings and complexes over the noon hour. It also served as the kick-off of the state’s yearlong bicentennial celebration at the local level. The City of East Peoria hoisted its bicentennial flag on the center pole at city hall. Jill Petersen is the public affairs communicator for the City of East Peoria. She says it’s an opportunity for the Illinois residents to celebrate the people, places, and things that have helped sustained Illinois statehood over the last 200 years. “We have done some very great things. We’ve produced four-American Presidents. Our typography is really awesome! It’s a really diverse great state and I don’t think sometimes people give it enough credit to say, ‘hey I live in Illinois! It’s a really cool place,’” Peterson said.”
Keys residents burn hurricane flags to mark end of season - AP News
"Florida Keys residents have doused hurricane flags in rum and burned them to mark the end of the tumultuous 2017 Atlantic hurricane season. The Thursday evening ceremony came after three major hurricanes — Harvey, Irma and Maria — pummeled parts of the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Irma’s impact varied in the Keys. Most Key Largo and Key West residents and businesses were either little affected or have recovered. In other parts of the island chain, especially the Big Pine Key region, recovery has been much slower. The flag-burning ceremony attracted about 400 people and included a speech by the Keys emergency management director praising the resilience and spirit of the area’s citizens.”
Peace, atheists flags to fly together in Somersworth - fosters.com
"A flag-raising scheduled for Citizen’s Place will include a flag that symbolizes religious tolerance as well as a flag that symbolizes freedom from religion. Citizen’s Place is a small traffic island next to Somersworth City Hall and home to the Ten Commandments monument. There are two flag poles that can be used to fly flags for various groups and events. Mayor Dana Hilliard announced earlier this week that the atheist flag would be raised at 4:30 p.m. Monday with the peace flag scheduled to be raised the following Friday, in honor of Pearl Harbor Day. On Wednesday, Hilliard announced he would raise both flags side by side at the same ceremony on Monday. “I was already planning to raise the peace flag on Pearl Harbor Day to honor those who were lost and the lesson learned from the ashes of WWII,” Hilliard said. “It taught us how understanding each other’s differences leads to peace, and how we must stand strong against those who do not believe in tolerance.” Hilliard said the peace flag also symbolizes the holiday season where secular and non-secular celebrations come together, allowing individuals to honor their traditions.”
‘Fun with Flags’ at Francesca Minini, Milan - BlouinArtinfo
" Fun with Flags” an exhibition by Riccardo Prevadi, deals with complexity of the present times, by overlapping images of the various country’s flags and evoking glimpses of warring countries. Riccardo sets out explore the major themes of our times in three bodies of work: the large scale pictures of “Red Carpet”, the tables of “Fun with Flags” and the sealed bags of “Vacuum” (Celebrity dresses). In “Fun with Flags” the subjects printed are the flags of bordering countries, both in Europe and around the world, that have been at war, or that are now at war or might be in future. Superimposing one flag a country on another and altering the geometric and chromatic combinations of these flags, the artist is able to capture the stories of conflict that these nations have been generating over the years. The pieces of ”Vacuum” contain the imitations of celebrity dresses that have appeared on the red carpet and ironically have been delivered by online e-marketing sites, within weeks of being worn by top notch celebrities. This is an attempt to immortalize the surrounding landscape where everything seems to be so fleeting and ephemeral.”
Debate over Bellevue Cemetery decorations: Should foreign flags be displayed? - Omaha World Herald
"National flags proved a sticking point in the latest disagreements over what should be permitted on graves in the Bellevue Cemetery. Allen Holley, a 13-year volunteer on the Bellevue Cemetery Committee, told the City Council on Monday night that he does not want foreign flags to be allowed in the public cemetery. A Union Jack representing the United Kingdom sits on the grave of Nick Jones’ mother. An American flag sits next to his father’s grave. It’s a way to honor the World War II service of both of his parents, Jones told the council. His mother served the British. Veterans and citizens lined up on Monday to discuss proposed cemetery regulations. One of the most notable changes would be to allow any national flag instead of just U.S. flags. Currently the wording of the ordinance governing cemetery decorations specifies U.S. flags as permitted, but other national flags, like the Union Jack, have not been taken down."
WWII veteran gets help from Georgia community to retire worn American flag - Fox News
"A Georgia community came together Saturday to help a 90-year-old World War II veteran give his worn American and Naval flags a proper sendoff. Local Boy Scouts, including Eagle Scouts, in the Atlanta suburb of Roswell performed the proper ceremony to take down and retire the flags belonging to Frank Coleman, who enlisted in the Navy in 1944 during World War II. Coleman later became an aviator, serving in the Vietnam War as a squadron commander. "I'm very honored," Coleman told FOX 5 Atlanta. Maurice Hilliard, a long-time friend of Coleman, had previously given him new flags to replace the old ones hanging on a flag pole, but the veteran wanted to wait for the proper ceremony to take place to retire the well-worn Stars and Stripes. "He said you can’t just take them down and throw it away," Hilliard said. That gave the scouts, who are trained to help others properly retire a flag, a chance to meet the 90-year-old veteran who was also an Eagle Scout in 1942."
Walsh University holds annual International Flag Ceremony - North Neighbor News
"Walsh University celebrated its diverse student population as part of International Education Week by holding its annual International Flag Ceremony. The event is its fourth year and is hosted by the International Club. The heart of the event is when students from around the world who attend Walsh proudly walk their flag on stage, shake hands with President Richard Jusseaume and introduce themselves to the audience. “We have students attending Walsh from all over the world, this year we have the highest enrollment with 106 international students,” Walsh Director of International Student Services Kristi Campbell said. Campbell said the event provides a great opportunity for the campus community as well as the surrounding communities to meet the international students and learn about their cultures. Attendees were also treated to samplings of desserts from around the world, many made by the international students. The Walsh University Chorale performed. There was also a musical piece performed by Carolina Bejarano Eyl and Melisa Valle and Nepali Folk Dance was performed by Roja Baruwal."
Why Teach Kids About Other Countries’ Flags and National Anthems Before the 2020 Tokyo Olympics? - Japan Forward
"In the lead up to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, elementary and middle schools in the Koto Ward of Tokyo have started teaching students about the national flags and anthems of countries around the world on July 20th. Koto Ward is set to play host to 19 Olympics and Paralympics sporting events, which is more than any other wards and cities. A representative of Koto Ward’s Board of Education emphasized the significance of the classes: “It is very important that we foster an attitude of respect and knowledge regarding the flags and anthems of other nations when welcoming people from around the world.” The classes form part of Tokyo Prefecture’s “Global Friendship Project,” covering history and culture, while also promoting exchange. Countries and regions to be studied by each school are divided between schools in the ward. In the three years leading up to the games, all students from fourth year elementary school to third year middle school will participate in the flag and anthem classes. The classes are organized by the chairman of the Research Institute of National Flags of the World, former flag specialist of the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games Committee and Nagano Winter Olympic Games protocol advisor Tadamasa Fukiura, 76, and soprano singer Masako Shindo, 56, who is capable of singing the national anthems of over 70 nations. Mr. Fukiura has contributed the following exposition on the challenges of national flags and anthems."
Some unfamiliar with rules for displaying the U.S. flag - Dothan Eagle
"Q: Why do some major buildings not follow the rules of displaying the American flag, including that flags displayed at night should be properly illuminated? A: Probably because some people are unfamiliar with the rules and do not realize that they are not being followed. Public Law 94-344, known as the Federal Flag Code, contains guidelines for handling and displaying the U.S. flag. The rules address a variety of situations. Some of the basics found in a government infographic titled “How to Display the American Flag” include:"
Flag Carried During Vikings Intros was Flown by U.S. Army Sgt. In Afghanistan - Vikings.com
"Army Sgt. David Waters wanted to say “thank you” to the Vikings, but they flipped the tables and expressed gratitude in a bigger way than he could imagine. Waters, a native of Florida, started following the Vikings at an early age because of his mother’s Minneapolis roots. “It was kind of a long-distance relationship,” Waters said of his connection to the team. Last year, it became even more long-distance. Waters joined the Army as a UAV operator in 2014, and in 2016 he was deployed and served in Afghanistan for nine months. “I love this country and want to give back to it and have an impact, however small it may be,” said Waters. While in Afghanistan, he sent an email to the Vikings. “It’s kind of boring in the desert, and I was looking for a kind of morale boost,” Waters said. “I just reached out. A couple weeks later, I got this nice box with some memorabilia, a lot of cool stuff. A handwritten note. I just thought it was really great. Waters wished to thank the team for so thoughtfully responding to his message. And then it came to him – the perfect, and unique, token of gratitude."
PHOTOS BUILDING COMMUNITY: Maynard’s Emma Bendall reuses old flags to honor veterans - Wicked Local Stow
"Some old American flags have been given a new life. When flags have been so badly battered by the wind and weather they can no longer be flown, they are typically disposed of in a special ceremony. However, Emma Bendall, of Maynard, thought of a better use for them. Working with Maynard High School’s National Honor Society, of which she was president during her senior year, and the Maynard Emblem Club, where she is also a member, she received permission to remove the stars from some large flags ready to be discarded. She, and fellow Honor Society members, cut out the small stars, put them in a bag with a short poem, and sent them to soldiers overseas and local veterans. “We completed about four flags throughout the year, cutting the stars out of retired flags,” Emma wrote in an email. The stars were also recently passed out at a special ceremony to honor veterans that live at Life Care Center of Acton, where Emma worked. “Recently, the Maynard Emblem Club received flags with much larger stars, so we cut those out and put them in a frame with the poem inscribed on a paper behind it,” Emma wrote. “These stars were distributed to veterans at local nursing homes."
PHOTOS: Some Say Nebraska's Flag Stinks — And They've Got Ideas To Fix It - NPR
"Apparently state lawmakers couldn't. In fact, for a span of 10 days earlier this year, not a single visitor to the Nebraska Capitol noticed that the flag had been hoisted upside down — not even state Sen. Burke Harr, who related the story in January. "It took someone drawing it to my attention before it was changed," he told the Legislature's Executive Board in January, according to the Omaha World-Herald. An awkward situation, to be sure — but the flap over the flag also drew his attention to something else: Is the official flag really such a muddle that the average observer can't tell its top from its bottom? The question alone stirred uncomfortable doubts for Harr, who says it doesn't have to be this way. Or, as he phrased it in the legislative resolution he introduced earlier this year, "the possibility of a better-designed, more iconic Nebraska flag exists."
Speaker: Why flags had trees, snakes, other flags … - Eden Prairie News
" When colonists of the British Empire wanted to irritate the mother country, they would take an imperial flag and put their own touch to it — thus, defacing it. Colonists upset about the Stamp Act taxes and other transgressions of their rulers took a British naval ensign and put a tree to share the space with the symbol of St. George’s cross. That corner field on a flag is called the canton. And that flag with the tree on it is called the Bunker Hill Flag, which dates to 1775. After a breakfast honoring veterans of the U.S. military, members of the Eden Prairie Senior Center heard a presentation about American flags on Wednesday, Nov. 8, from Eden Prairie resident Dick Middleton, a member of American Legion Post 580 in Chanhassen and a former instructor and officer at the U.S. Military Academy in West Point, New York.
Column: Flags at half-staff mean it's mourning in America - Chicago Tribune
"When I was a rookie reporter all too long ago, I was lectured about A.P. style early and often, particularly regarding the issue of whether the U.S. flag is flown at half-mast or half-staff. We often say half-mast. But in almost every case, we are wrong. A flag can only fly at half-mast when it is aboard a ship, because only a ship has a mast. Generally, a flag flies on that tall, skinny thing sticking out of the ground or mounted atop a public building. That is a flag staff. So when the nation is in mourning, the flag is flying at half-staff. The flag at the park, the flag at city hall or the flag at the Capitol building would all be flying at half-staff — not half-mast — when the nation is in mourning. "Got it, kid reporter?" Yeah, I got it. But I remember thinking to myself at that time, "How often does that happen?" And back then, it didn't happen often at all. But things have changed in America.
Wayne Obermiller dedicates Banks district lawn to veterans with ten flags on 40- and 60-foot flagpoles - Michigan Live
"Wayne Obermiller has seen stars and stripes all his life. As a child, his family -- nearly all of whom served in a branch of the U.S. military at some point -- flew a small 3-by-5 foot U.S. flag outside his home. From an early age he hoped to someday fly a star-spangled banner of his own. Decades later, Obermiller, now 69, has realized that dream in a big way. Starting this Veteran's Day weekend, he'll fly not one, but 11 flags, including a 9-foot-by-12-foot U.S. Flag, from two 40- and 60-foot poles. He plans to make a 365-day commitment to commemorating veterans and celebrating the symbolism of the American flag outside his home at 901 N. Bangor St. in Bay City.
Field More than 700 flags placed on TMCC campus to honor student veterans - Orange County Register
"If you see the lawn of Truckee Meadows Community College covered in red, white, and blue -- it's for a good cause. November 6 kicked off Veteran's Week on the Dandini Campus in north Reno. The Truckee Meadows Veterans Club is celebrating the Marine Corps birthday and the more than 700 student veterans that attend the community college. Each flag planted into the ground represents a student veteran. Depending on weather, the display will stay on campus all week. You are encouraged to stop by and visit any time before Veterans Day on November 11."
Field of Valor in Orange honors veterans with display of 1,776 flags - Orange County Register
"World War II fighter planes soared over Handy Park in Orange Sunday morning, high above a display of 1,776 flags that painted the park red, white and blue in honor of veterans. This was the kick-off for the Third Annual Field of Valor, hosted by the Community Foundation of Orange. Along with its patriotic display and a series of educational events, the event serves as a fundraiser for many veterans charities. Community members sponsor flags, adorning them with a tag telling the story of a veteran – be it a friend, family member, fallen comrade, or somebody they just met at the event. The celebration of veterans has returned bigger than ever this year, with a daily flag lowering at 4:45 p.m. and nightly events with special guests. For a full schedule, visit communityfoundationoforange.org. The display will be open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily through Veteran’s Day, with a special closing ceremony at 4:45 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11."
Veteran invites public to take a different kind of knee while placing 8,000 flags at veteran graves - WDRB.com
"For weeks NFL players have been taking a knee during the singing of the national anthem. It’s a form of protest for the players, but a sign of disrespect to many veterans and military members. Saturday morning one veteran invited the community out to Cave Hill Cemetery to take a different kind of knee. It started by placing an American flag at every veteran’s grave inside the cemetery. “We had 503 people show up at the cemetery to put out 8,000 flags,” said a Fred Moore, a Navy and Marine Corps veteran who founded Flags for Vets. It's done out of honor for those who have died in past wars and those who have died more recently. “I have a great appreciation for the fact that a lot of people didn't come home,” Moore said. “And in these last few years with Iraq and Afghanistan we've added another 4,000 to the list.’ Moore invited the public to take a knee to pray and give thanks at the graves of the unknown soldiers. It's a different kind of knee seen from the National Football league. “I'm a strong advocate of freedom of speech, but I want people to know that I have freedom of speech as well. And now that you've done this thing and you take a knee, I don't think you have the foggiest idea what veterans have sacrificed for,” Moore said."
The One Color You Will Almost Never Find on National Flags - Reader's Digest
"There are 196 sovereign nations in the world, and, in turn, 196 national flags. But this one color is rarely seen on any of them. Purple is a color of regality. In 16th century England, Queen Elizabeth I banned anyone outside of the immediate royal family from wearing it. Prince adopted it as his primary color of choice. Grapes make wine and wine is drunk by kings, according to this Google Image Search of “kings drinking wine.” The above-mentioned associations seem to be largely positive, so why don’t we see countries using it in their national flags? According to After Skool, it all comes to down to cost. The first purple dyes were made in the 19th century from a very specific species of snail from the Mediterranean. But these snails weren’t just eternally spewing out canisters of the stuff, the process was much more labor-intensive; it would take 10,000 snails to produce just one gram of purple dye. So, purple was a color primarily reserved for the incredibly wealthy and it just wasn’t cost-effective to have to mass-produce a bunch of flags with the pricey hue."
Is next city flag in this group of finalists? - Post Bulletin
"The effort to design a new banner for Rochester is not flagging. In fact, it picked up speed Wednesday, as the first six finalists in the contest to design a city flag were announced at City Hall. Three flags selected by a panel of judges, along with three flags selected by public vote were unveiled. They will be part of a group of 12 finalists, from which a recommendation will be made to the City Council next spring. "There are common themes, even though they're so different," Lee Herold, a flag design consultant with the Rochester Flag Committee, said of the entries. "It draws you to what people see when you say Rochester." There are, for instance, references to health care, the local rivers, winter, and of course, the city's population of Canada geese — even though these days the geese are probably outnumbered by crows. Those similarities are especially interesting given that four of the final six designs in this first round are by people who don't live in Rochester.” [Read More…]
Posted on November 2, 2017
Iraq bans Israeli flags after Kurds wave them at independence rallies - The Times of Israel
" The Iraqi parliament voted on Tuesday to criminalize the flying of Israeli flags after the banners were held aloft at a number of Kurdish independence rallies ahead of a referendum in September. The vote to ban the flags from public spaces came at the request of Ammar al-Hakim, the Shiite leader of the Citizen Bloc, the Iraqi news agency AlSumaria reported. Israel has been among the only countries to openly support an independent Kurdish state, and many Kurds have welcomed the support, drawing accusations from Arab leaders that the referendum was a Zionist plot. Turkey fiercely opposed the referendum and has threatened sanctions against the region, reflecting its worries about its own sizable Kurdish minority." [Read More…]
Posted on November 1, 2017
#BlackMonday controversy sees ‘apartheid flags’ brought to protest - The South African
"A minority of #BlackMonday protesters have been accused of pushing a ‘racist’ agenda, after bringing along the old ‘apartheid flags’ used before 1994. Used from 1928 up to 1994, the flag itself is a nod to South Africa’s colonial history, featuring the Union Jack and Dutch-inspired emblems. Due to its use by the apartheid government, the flag has become symbolic for racist attitudes of that era. Unfortunately, a few have made an appearance today. The EFF’s Julius Malema also tweeted his disapproval of how the protest was being handled. He referred to taxi protests lead by black workers, and stated that the #BlackMonday protesters should face the same barrage of rubber bullets, due to ‘both parties blocking the roads illegally’." [Read More…]
Posted on October 31, 2017
Photo Journal: Flying the Olympic flags - The Mainichi
"The flags of all 206 member countries and regions of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) are seen hanging on the Palaceside Building in Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward, home to The Mainichi Newspapers Co.'s head office, on Oct. 27, 2017. The decoration was put together to mark 1,000 days until the start of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, which falls on Oct. 28, 2017. One of the reasons behind hanging all the brightly colored flags is to wish for a peaceful Olympics and Paralympics in 2020. Arranged in the same order as an Olympic procession -- from Greece all the way through to host nation Japan in alphabetical order -- the cloth flags cover many of the windows on the south side of the building, spanning six rows and 35 columns. The flags were draped between the night of Oct. 23 and the predawn hours of Oct. 27, and will remain on display until Nov. 5." [Read More…]
Posted on October 30, 2017
Patriotism flies high in Hemingford - The Hemingford Ledger
"A sea of red, white and blue. That’s what you will see if you’re in Hemingford on any patriotic holiday. Every morning on Veterans Day, Independence Day, Memorial Day and Flag Day, volunteers assume the task of carefully unfolding American casket flags and hanging them along the streets of Box Butte and Niobrara Avenues, along with plaques that display the name of the deceased veteran whose flag is flying. People have described this scene – known as the Avenue of Flags – as both stunning and patriotic. The flags, while visually beautiful, are also a somber reminder of our deceased loved ones who proudly served our country. Some of the flags date all the way back to the Civil War. The Avenue of Flags first appeared in Hemingford on Memorial Day of 1986. During that first year, 44 flags were flown." [Read More…]
Posted on October 27, 2017
Protester Throws Russian Flags At Trump As He Arrives For Capitol Hill Tax Lunch - NPR
"President Trump was met by a protester who threw Russian flags at him and chanted "Trump is treason!" as he arrived on Capitol Hill Tuesday to urge Senate Republicans to pass tax cuts. While the president was entering the weekly GOP lunch on Capitol Hill, escorted by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., a man appeared to have gotten inside the press scrum, throwing the small flags that had the word "TRUMP" emblazoned in gold." [Read More…]
Posted on October 25, 2017
Tired of waving its white flag, Scottsdale calls for city redesign - azcentral.com
"Scottsdale's flag is a real S.O.B. It's what flag design experts and enthusiasts call a "Seal on a Bedsheet." The flag, adopted in 1954, features the city’s seal — a mounted cowboy surrounded by a 64-pointed starburst — simply dropped on a white background. But now, Scottsdale is tired of waving its white flag. City officials say the design does not exemplify the desert beauty of “The West’s Most Western Town” and runs afoul of national design standards. So the city has made a call to the community: design a new flag. "Scottsdale hopes a new flag will become an immediately recognizable symbol of the proud and accomplished desert community known around the world for its blend of western heritage, natural beauty and modern art and culture," read a city statement announcing the design challenge." [Read More…]
Posted on October 24, 2017
Veterans show support for the flag in Perryville, MO - KFVS 12
"Veterans from the VFW Post 4282 in Perryville, Missouri joined other VFW members for a rally to show that they stand for the flag and will not kneel. They stood on the overpass of Highway T over I-55 in Perryville with their flags waving while traffic passes by underneath them. Many vehicles honked their horn to show their support. Veterans spoke out about why they feel the flag should be respected with standing during the national anthem. "We want them to see us out here showing that we have respect for this flag," Bob Herschbach said. "We're hoping that they take this with them on their travels wherever they're going and remember that they are able to drive these streets, these roads here because of us." [Read More…]
Posted on October 23, 2017
There's One Tiny Business Behind All Those Giant Flags - Deadspin
"It has become impossible to ignore the American flag at sporting events. This is, in part, because of the increasingly elaborate performance that is the pregame ceremony for the national anthem, in which the flag works as symbolic shorthand to represent whatever you want it to about the country, the troops, and only God knows what else. (Though God is very frequently in that list, too.) But it’s also because the flag itself—physically—is getting bigger. In recent years, NFL teams increasingly have turned to giant flags that take up the entire length of the field, sometimes for every single home game, while MLB teams opt for equally large ones to stretch through the outfield for special occasions like opening day and the postseason."
Pedestrian flags coming to crosswalks - Gulf Breeze News
"Grant Corbin, a student at Gulf Breeze Elementary School, wants drivers to be careful and those who are not quite old enough to get behind the wheel to be safe when they cross streets in his hometown. He brought an idea to Gulf Breeze City Council he thinks can focus attention on the issue and help make drivers and pedestrians more aware of safety issues at the Oct. 11 executive meeting. Members of the Council agreed. Grant latched on to the idea when his family visited St. Augustine Beach recently and he saw the plan in action. That city has placed containers filled with colorful flags at crosswalks. Those attempting to cross the streets on foot are encouraged, by signs posted nearby, to take a flag and wave it as they watch for traffic and then proceed in the crosswalk. Once they have safely arrived on the other side, they replace the flags in identical containers so that the next pedestrians can repeat the attention-getting plan."
Iberville Parish Council outlaws flag burning; ACLU says move is unconstitutional - The Advocate
"Burning flags in Iberville Parish will cost those involved up to $1,000 and/or some time in jail, under an ordinance the Parish Council unanimously adopted Tuesday prohibiting desecration of the American flag, Louisiana flag and parish flag. Council Chairman Matt Jewell said they want to avoid incidents like the one reported last year at a university in Ohio involving the intentional burning of an American flag, an act that angered many war veterans. Jewell described the council's vote as a preemptive step and not one sparked by any local problems with flag desecration. "We are a very patriotic parish. Not looking for much push-back on this," Jewell said in an interview before Tuesday night's meeting. "I don't expect us to have any problems. We're just doing this as more of a symbolic kind of thing."
Flags, Football and Freedom - ArkansasRazorbacks.com
"By simple definition, a flag is a piece of fabric, cloth or a similar material, used as an emblem of a country or institution as a decoration during public festivities. Embellished by stars, stripes, bars and other adornments, a flag is more than just a collection of artistic elements, it takes on meaning as the most visible symbol of a particular state or nation and those who are represented. Each time the Razorbacks take the field, they carry that same type of symbolic significance for Arkansans. The University of Arkansas is the flagship institution of the state and for many Arkansans, the Razorback is far more than just a mascot, it embodies the spirit of the state. So what happens when these two recognized symbols combine in a way that honors those who are serving and have served to protect our freedoms at home and abroad? It is a moment that means much more than simply the excitement of the home team’s entry onto the field before a college football game. "
The coolest signs and flags spotted at weekend one of ACL Fest 2017 - My Statesman from Austin American-Statesman
"Everyone knows the best way to find your friends at Austin City Limits Music Festival is to bring a flag, sign or otherwise interesting-looking object you can stack on top of a pole and carry around all day. “I’m standing under the giant inflatable pineapple,” I remember texting to a friend one ACL Fest. The next year, it was a volleyball painted like Wilson from “Castaway.” The next year, it was a windsock shaped like a parrot. You get the picture. Here are the best signs, flags and “here’s how to find me” objects we spotted at the first weekend of ACL Fest 2017 (and on social media). "
Stonewall National Monument’s rainbow flag plan was going fine, then things got weird - The Washington Post
"The plan to celebrate the rainbow flag flying over Stonewall National Monument was going smoothly. Then things got weird. Activists had pressed for months to get the flag — a long-standing symbol of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community — hoisted atop the flagpole adjacent to the national monument that President Barack Obama designated last year to commemorate the LGBT civil rights movement. The National Park Service agreed to do it, providing a flag that went up Sept. 28, and it worked with activists to put on an event commemorating the act on Wednesday, which was also National Coming Out Day. NPS officials provided the federal permit free of charge, as well as power and a sound system for the rally, and the monument’s chief interpreter initially agreed to speak.."
Scout looking for owners of historic flags - The Sun Chronicle
"Eagle Scout candidate Matthew Gonsalves recently completed his eagle project replacing 50 worn-out American flags and flagpoles that have been placed around the town Common during holidays for decades. Now Gonsalves, who attends Norfolk County Agricultural High School, is seeking to reunite about a dozen of the remaining flags with their original owners. Gonsalves said he has managed to return many of the flags, but is left with several others. He’s offering families identified with the flags to reclaim them by contacting him."
Native American students hoist tribal flags in EMU amphitheater for Indigenous Solidarity Day - Daily Emerald
"For Mitchell Lira, Monday was a day not only to celebrate Native American tribes but to pray for those who suffered in the past. On October 9, the Native American Student Union celebrated Indigenous Solidarity Day, an annual event held on the federal holiday Columbus Day, in the EMU amphitheater. Natives and non-natives gathered to listen to the speakers and watch the Chemawa Indian school drummers perform as the nine flags were changed by students of the Chemawa boarding school. “Indigenous peoples day is us reclaiming the day back,” Lira said. “We are making our voices heard.” The ceremony aimed to teach natives and non-natives to understand the importance of the Native American culture that resides on campus. “This university is built on native land,” Lira said. “The tribes still exists now, it’s not all in the past.”
Syria rebel flags banned, ‘Free Syria’ banner confiscated from World Cup play-off match - RT.com
"Syrian revolutionary flags were banned and a pro-revolution banner was confiscated at the FIFA 2018 World Cup Russia play-off match between Syria and Australia on Tuesday. Prior to the game at the ANZ Stadium in Sydney, signs were placed at the entrance indicating which flags fans were permitted to display at the ground for the Russia 2018 play-off second leg, which Australia won 2-1 to advance 3-2 on aggregate. As civil war ravages Syria, different flags are used by the Syrian government and rebels: the red, white and black tricolor with two central green stars, used by the government of President Bashar Assad; and the green, white and black tricolor with three central red stars, used by the Free Syrian Army."
Fort Worth firefighter tore down U.S. flags on Denton square, authorities say - Dallas Morning News
"The man who was captured on video damaging two flags last month in downtown Denton has been identified as a Fort Worth firefighter, the Denton County sheriff's office said. An arrest warrant was issued for Michael James Wagemann with a charge of criminal mischief and remains outstanding, the sheriff's office said Friday night. "
4th Annual Veteran Voices of Canada event to take place in Sylvan Lake’s Centennial Park - Red Deer Advocate
"At noon on Saturday 128 Canadian flags will be unfurled one by one as a tribute to the 128,000 Canadian soldiers killed or missing in action. The same sombre ceremony will be taking place in a dozen other communities across Canada from Charlottetown, P.E.I. to Vernon, B.C. It will be the fourth year the ceremony organized by Veteran Voices of Canada will be held in Sylvan Lake."
9 cool things about 200 straight weeks of the Washington State flag on ‘College GameDay’- SBNation.com
"Saturday will bring a College GameDay milestone. When ESPN’s flagship college football show broadcasts from Forth Worth, Texas, before West Virginia-TCU, a pair of crimson-and-gray Washington State flags will wave in the background. It’ll be the 200th consecutive GameDay at which the WSU flag has flown, according to separate counts maintained by the flag-wavers and ESPN’s GameDay staff. You’ve seen the flags before, even if they’ve blended out of your view. The Wazzu logo has been ubiquitous on the show for almost 14 years now, always somewhere in the wide shots of the show’s panelists sitting on their stage."
Beyond Jamaica: A look at the history of flags and national symbols- Deutsche Welle (DW)
"The Jamaican flag has been on the minds of many Germans recently, with coalition talks expected to form a yellow-black-green government. For more on flag history and their symbols, DW spoke with expert Peter Diem."
"Their flags billowed in the breeze as a steady rain fell.But through it all, they remained undeterred. They stood there for hours on the side of Abbott Road, with New Era Field at their back and midmorning traffic in their sights. And they proudly held the symbol of our nation in their hands: the red, white and blue of the United States of America. Bonded by military green, the three veterans took to the streets to protest a protest of a different kind — one that, in their estimation, disrespected the flag and fellow military members. On this particular Friday, they braved the elements for a purpose greater than themselves. They wanted to be seen. They wanted to be heard. All three began the week as strangers. But now, Edward Houck, 38, of Hamburg; and Travis Griffin, 28, and Pat Giumento, 70, both of Orchard Park, are united in their opposition to players kneeling, sitting — and worse, stretching — during the national anthem."
Real Madrid fans hoist Spanish flags above their heads in protest against Catalonia referendum after Barcelona play in front of empty Nou Camp- The Sun
"REAL MADRID'S supporters protested against the Catalonia independence referendum during the La Liga clash against Espanyol by hoisting Spanish flags above their heads. It came just hours after Barcelona were forced to play their game against Las Palmas behind closed doors due to fears of crowd safety."
Pro-democracy legislator guilty of desecrating Hong Kong and China flags- South China Morning Post
"A localist Hong Kong lawmaker was found guilty on Friday of desecrating the small Chinese and Hong Kong flags that he flipped over at the Legislative Council last year, and fined HK$5,000. Cheng Chung-tai, of pro-democracy party Civic Passion, said the case was “ridiculous” and his conviction a reminder that the city’s society is “not an open, democratic and liberal one”."
Flags represent 10,000-plus affected by domestic violence- Wyoming County Free Press
"One thousand and fifty purple flags. Each flag represents 10 people affected by domestic violence in Wyoming, Genesee, Livingston and Orleans counties. The flags represent a statistic of violence, yet the violence doesn’t happen to statistics, it happens to people - adult men and women, as well as children. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Restore Sexual Assault Services have teamed up with local officials to place the 1,000 plus flags on the grounds of the Wyoming County Courthouse this morning."
Seven Men Arrested In Egypt For Flying Rainbow Flags At Rock Concert- Logo NEWNOWNEXT
"Police in Cairo arrested seven men for flying Pride flags at a rock concert Saturday. If convicted, they face up to two years in prison. The incident occurred at a sold-out concert by Mashrou’ Leila that drew some 35,000 people to Cairo Festival City. Mashrou’ Laila’s lead singer, Hamed Sinno, is openly gay. Officers scanned security footage to identify the flag-wavers, whom Egyptian media has called guilty of “the promotion of corruption and immorality.” On Sunday, the Musicians Syndicate announced the group was officially banned from performing in Egypt."
Around the world, flags and anthems can divide nations- ABC News
"President Donald Trump's clash with scores of professional football players who knelt during "The Star-Spangled Banner" last weekend has set off a heated debate over proper etiquette during the national anthem. But the U.S. is far from alone. Throughout the world, flags, anthems and other national symbols can often divide as much as they unify, especially in countries with large religious or ethnic divisions. Here is a look at some of the controversies:"
Students raise awareness for suicide prevention month with flags- KBTX-TV 3
"A student organization called Active Minds from Texas A&M University put out 1,100 flags in honor of the 1,100 students who commit suicide nationwide. According to Alicia Steinley, a member of Active Minds, suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students. "Each year 1,100 students nationwide take their lives on college campuses, so we are out here spreading awareness," said Steinley."
VERIFY: Are NFL football players required to stand for the National Anthem?- NBC 11 Atlanta
"Across the web, people are sharing a so-called “rule” pertaining to the National Anthem and whether or not NFL players are required to attend."
"To verify this content, we first looked at the NFL's 2017 Official Playing Rules. Nowhere in the 2017 rulebook does the NFL mention the National Anthem. Pages 62 and 63 contain information on the enforcement of fouls."
Activist Plans to Burn Nazi-Confederate Flag to Protest Confederate Flags Sale in Pennsylvania - NBC 10 Philadelphia
"A Pennsylvania activist aiming to protest a town fair's decision to allow the sale of Confederate flags says he plans to burn a combination Nazi-Confederate flag. The (Wilkes-Barre) Times Leader reports that activist Gene Stilp is seeking a permit to burn the two-sided Nazi-Confederate flag in front of the Columbia County Courthouse on Friday to coincide with the start of the Bloomsburg Fair.
Follow us: @nbcphiladelphia on Twitter | NBCPhiladelphia on Facebook"
Posted on September 21, 2017
Londonderry High School clarifies pep rally American flag policy - WMUR9
"Londonderry High School is facing backlash over a policy that bans students from presenting the American flag at an upcoming pep rally. Last week, about two dozen student athletes received letters detailing proper protocols for participating students, including no undressing, no derogatory statements about opponents, no questionable writings on their clothing and no use of the American flag, with the fourth protocol leaving many in the community up in arms about the policy." [Read More…]
Posted on September 20, 2017
NYC’s Federal Hall Exhibition Displays 50 US Flags In A Powerful Reminder to Rise Above Our Differences - UntappedCities.com
"From 2011 to 2016, Ziegler traveled all over the country to collect each flag by taking the distressed ones and replacing them with newer versions. Each flag collected also has its respective state name embroidered on it. The exhibition perfectly encapsulates the spectrum of our allegiance to the American flag and the various meanings people ascribe to it.
Some people love and respect this flag and its positive attributes symbolizing opportunity and possibility, while for others throughout the world, it is a nationalist symbol for imperialism. What Ziegler hopes to convey is a sense of community wherein he “presents a hopeful and direct image of these United States of America, one that is grounded in conversation with people unlike ourselves.”" [Read More…]
Posted on September 19, 2017
Flags for Forgotten Soldiers honor veterans who have committed suicide - 6News WRGB Albany
"A patriotic display in downtown Schenectady has many stopping to take a second look. A local mother tells us it's her way to raise awareness about what took her son too soon." [Read More…]
Posted on September 18, 2017
Pocatello to raise new flag on Tuesday - Idaho State Journal
"It’s been two years since Pocatello’s city flag was called the worst in North America. But after a wide-ranging redesign process that included input from the public and widespread media exposure, the new city flag will finally fly over the community this week." [Read More…]
Posted on September 18, 2017
Deputy honors American flags knocked down from Irma - CBCNews
"According to the department's post, "On Sept. 11, Lt. Greg Ernst and Capt. Ashley Brown were patroling [sic] Highway 80 when they noticed a familiar flag in the marshy water."
An American flag attached to a piece of driftwood in that location had been a comforting sight for Tybee Island residents and visitors for decades -- but it had been knocked over by Irma's fury." [Read More…]
Posted on September 15, 2017
Montreal adds Iroquois symbol to flag, strips British general of street name - CBCNews
"Montreal has taken steps to recognize the contribution of Indigenous people to the city, adding an Iroquois symbol to its city flag and committing to rename Amherst Street." [Read More…]
Posted on September 14, 2017
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Readers recommend playlist: your songs about flags - theguardian
"Flags date from antiquity, with one of the oldest extant standards (of sorts) being an Iranian banner made of bronze, dating back to the 3rd millennium BC. Their most common use has been to represent geopolitical entities, though they also bring together interest groups and those of a political – or anti-political – persuasion." [Read More…]
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