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Use of the US Flag Patch
The purpose and symbolism implied by the placement of the flag patch on the uniform is one of patriotism. The positioning of the flag patch placement was carefully investigated and also reviewed by experienced legal counsel. No violation of the United States Flag Code has occurred.
In fact other organizations, including the US military, place the symbol of the flag on a number of different areas of the shirt. Flag patches and emblems are also found in a variety of positions on professional football helmets and ball caps. Two photos are included your review. These photos were downloaded from the US Army web site. They show US Army combat soldiers in operation in Iraq . You will note that these soldiers display a US flag patch on their uniforms below their unit patches.
Included below is information on the use of silver trim used on the Royal Rangers uniform US flag patch. Once again it should be noted that Royal Rangers is not in violation of the US Flag Code.
The facts speak clearly. The US flag is appropriately displayed on the Royal Rangers uniform.
The following is an article of interest concerning the use of fringe on the flag. Please note the bolded statements.
The quote below concerning gold fringe on the Flag is from the book "So Proudly We Hail, The History of the United States Flag" Smithsonian Institute Press 1981, by Wiliam R. Furlong and Byron McCandless. "The placing of a fringe on Our Flag is optional with the person or organization, and no Act of Congress or Executive Order either prohibits the practice, according to the Institute of Hearaldry . Fringe is used on indoor flags only, as fringe on flags on outdoor flags would deteriorate rapidly. The fringe on a Flag is considered an 'honorable enrichment only', and its official use by the US Army dates from 1895. A 1925 Attorney General's Opinion states: 'the fringe does not appear to be regarded as an integral part of the Flag, and its presence cannot be said to constitute an unauthorized addition to the design prescribed by statute. An external fringe is to be distinguished from letters, words, or emblematic designs printed or superimposed upon the body of the flag itself. Under law, such additions might be open to objection as unauthorized; but the same is not necessarily true of the fringe.'"
The gold trim is generally used on ceremonial indoor flags that are used for special services and is believed to have been first used in a military setting. It has no specific significance that I have ever run across, and its use is in compliance with applicable flag codes and laws.
Posted by Mike Laliberty. |
