3 ms·

I believe that in the US many (most?) fire departments are 24 hours on/48 hours off so the overnight is sleep at the fire station or respond to calls if there a

I believe that in the US many (most?) fire departments are 24 hours on/48 hours off so the overnight is sleep at the fire station or respond to calls if there are any. In this case I think "flag down" just means "no responsibilities other than responding to calls."

throwanem 9y ago
It could also be a literal reference to taking down the United States flag. Those organizations of which I've been a member, which flew the US flag, would strike it at or just before sunset, and I believe Title 4 of the US Code, which details respectful treatment of the national flag, requires that this be done. ETA: Indeed, 4 USC 6(a) [1]: It is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness. To the best of my understanding, no criminal penalty attaches to mishandling a flag in contravention of Title 4 requirements, despite the occasional misguided attempt to prosecute someone who, for example, incinerates a symbol of his nation in order to attempt some sort of point about the present conduct of its government. That said, it would surprise me to learn that anyone who flies the flag for patriotic reasons would disregard a legal recommendation regarding the proper manner of such display. [1] https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/4/6 https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/4/6
- Jeremy1026 9y ago
  There are six United States flags that are not required to follow this rule. Do you know which ones they are?
  - throwanem 9y ago
    The one in front of the White House is one of them, I believe, but then I also seem to recall that it's lit 24/7, so may not count. The other five I couldn't hazard a guess at.
    - Jeremy1026 9y ago
      The six flags planted by the Apollo astronauts on the moon.
  - incredimike 9y ago
    NOT YET?
- dragonwriter 9y ago
  > I believe Title 4 of the US Code, which details respectful treatment of the national flag, requires that this be done. The cited provision requires nothing, it is purely descriptive (“it is the universal custom that...” is not “everyone who flies a flag shall...”) > To the best of my understanding, no criminal penalty attaches to mishandling a flag in contravention of Title 4 requirements, There is, for actual requirements, like those regarding advertising use of the flag in 4 USC Sec. 3. But section 6 subsections either describe custom or describe what “should” be done, and thus are not requirements in any sense.

throwanem 9y ago

It could also be a literal reference to taking down the United States flag. Those organizations of which I've been a member, which flew the US flag, would strike it at or just before sunset, and I believe Title 4 of the US Code, which details respectful treatment of the national flag, requires that this be done. ETA: Indeed, 4 USC 6(a) [1]: It is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness. To the best of my understanding, no criminal penalty attaches to mishandling a flag in contravention of Title 4 requirements, despite the occasional misguided attempt to prosecute someone who, for example, incinerates a symbol of his nation in order to attempt some sort of point about the present conduct of its government. That said, it would surprise me to learn that anyone who flies the flag for patriotic reasons would disregard a legal recommendation regarding the proper manner of such display. [1] https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/4/6 https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/4/6

Jeremy1026 9y ago
There are six United States flags that are not required to follow this rule. Do you know which ones they are?
- throwanem 9y ago
  The one in front of the White House is one of them, I believe, but then I also seem to recall that it's lit 24/7, so may not count. The other five I couldn't hazard a guess at.
  - Jeremy1026 9y ago
    The six flags planted by the Apollo astronauts on the moon.
- incredimike 9y ago
  NOT YET?
dragonwriter 9y ago
> I believe Title 4 of the US Code, which details respectful treatment of the national flag, requires that this be done. The cited provision requires nothing, it is purely descriptive (“it is the universal custom that...” is not “everyone who flies a flag shall...”) > To the best of my understanding, no criminal penalty attaches to mishandling a flag in contravention of Title 4 requirements, There is, for actual requirements, like those regarding advertising use of the flag in 4 USC Sec. 3. But section 6 subsections either describe custom or describe what “should” be done, and thus are not requirements in any sense.