Highlights of the U.S. Postal Service Administrative Support Manual Section:
The U.S. Flag of the United States must be displayed on stationary flagstaffs at all post offices, branches, stations, terminals, garages, and postal facilities, including leased and rented premises.
Flags that are frayed or torn must be neatly hemmed and continued in use.
When a flag is badly worn and is no longer a fitting emblem for display, it may not be cast aside or used in any way that might be viewed as disrespectful to the national colors, but it must be destroyed as a whole, privately, in a dignified manner and preferably by burning.
Requisitions for new flags must be submitted by field officials to their designated material distribution centers.
Highlights of the Federal Flag Code, which contains rules for handling and displaying the U.S. Flag:
The flag should not be subject to weather damage, therefore should not be displayed during the rain, snow or wind storms unless it is an all-weather flag.
The flag may be displayed at all times, if it's illuminated during darkness.
If the flag is worn out or no longer a fitting emblem for display, it should be destroyed in a dignified manner. One method of destroying is to burn the flag.
DAYTON —To Ronald Cahill, the faded, ripped American flag that flew above the Mid-City Dayton United States Postal Service branch, 36 N. Ludlow St., on Friday morning was not a display of respect or love for our country.
“I was never in the service, but to me it’s just not patriotic,” said Cahill, 71, of Dayton.
“We never let our flag touch the ground,” said Judith Hall, 54, of Dayton. “This is torn, and to me it’s about the same thing (as letting the flag touch the ground).”
Tim Downs, who works for the city of Dayton, notified the Dayton Daily News about the tattered flag earlier this week. He said he noticed the problem late last year and brought it to the attention of the U.S. Postal Service. Nothing was done, and the flag — which measures 9½ feet by 5½ feet — remained.
The Daily News inquired about the flag Friday, and a replacement was raised within hours.
Downs said that he complained as a private citizen, not on behalf of the city, to the Postal Service several times about the flag’s condition and was told by a customer service representative several weeks ago that a work order to replace the flag had been issued.
“Because it’s the U.S. Postal Service, they should have a greater sensitivity to the flag that they are flying,” said Downs, who is the deputy director for the city’s Economic Development Department.
David Van Allen, Ohio spokesman for the U.S. Postal Service, said he was not aware of the flag’s condition. He did not know how long the damaged flag had been flying. He also said it was the branch’s responsibility to replace the flag, despite the fact that the flag pole is on city property.
The key that opens a lock on the flag pole was lost and that played a part in branch officials not being able to replace the American flag, Van Allen said. He added that a work order had been placed, but didn’t know how long ago.
“They were trying to get maintenance to get the lock cut. ... We’re working with minimal staffing, and they hadn’t gotten to it yet,” Van Allen said Friday. “They are going to do it today.”
Downs was happy to see that a new American flag had been raised by 12:15 p.m. Friday. The Postal Service did not replace a torn POW flag because it is only required to fly it seven days a year and on certain holidays, Van Allen said.
“It’s respect for the American flag,” Downs said. “I’m still disappointed that it took so long and they let it get that bad.”
Robert Critell, of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Daytonview Post 9936, 1720 E. Third St., said society seems to have become complacent when it comes to the condition of American flags displayed in public.
“I truly believe that if you are going to fly an American flag, you should fly it with respect,” said Critell, who served four years in the U.S. Navy and is a Vietnam veteran. “Personally, I have stopped and replaced flags (at businesses). ... I’d rather see an empty flag pole than some of the other flags we’ve seen flying.”
Most veteran service organizations will replace old flags for free for institutions that cannot afford the cost, Critell said. Post 9936 normally hands out a dozen outdoor flags a year.
Outdoor U.S. flags can cost up to $50. Besides VFW posts, many veteran service organizations offer to dispose of old flags properly. Most of these ceremonies occur on Flag Day, June 14.
Downs thinks that the whole ordeal reveals something about society.
“It might suggest that we’re less observant. It says a lot about us as American people, that the flag is not as important as it should be.”
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2414 or kelli.wynn@coxinc.com.
About the Author