Thread by @cmclymer

I served in the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, the unit that buries our fallen service members in Arlington National Cemetery. The folks who carry caskets and fold the flag? That was me. There are a lot of misconceptions about the American flag around July 4th every year... (thread)

2/ Display and care of the American flag is outlined in Title 4 of the U.S. Code (U.S. Flag Code). This is federal law but merely advisory. There are no penalties enforced for failure to comply with it because we believe in a little thing called the First Amendment. And yet...

3/ ...there are certainly folks who feel it is their mission in life to scaremonger others, almost as though the flag were somehow solely their property and not a symbol of Constitutional values that belong to everyone. Anyway, to clear up confusion, let's go through the rules:

4/ 4 U.S. Code § 8, subsection (a) -- "The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property."

[protestors obscured by upside down American flag at Trump rally]

5/ 4 U.S. Code § 8, subsection (b) -- "The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise."

[conservative pundit and Trump supporter Allen West takes American flag for a swim]

6/ 4 U.S. Code § 8, subsection (c) -- "The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free."

[Trump supporters at 2017 rally]

6/ 4 U.S. Code § 8, subsection (d) -- "The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery."

7/4 U.S. Code § 8, Subsection (e) -- "The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way."

8/ 4 U.S. Code § 8, Subsection (f) -- "The flag should never be used as a covering for a ceiling."

9/ 4 U.S. Code § 8, Subsection (g) -- "The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature."

10/ 4 U.S. Code § 8, Subsection (h) -- "The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything."

[Regardless of what you use it to carry to a Trump rally... UGH.]

11/ 4 U.S. Code § 8, Subsection (i) "The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner... [or on] cushions or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard."

12/ 4 U.S. Code § 8, Subsection (j) -- "No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform."

I mean... c'mon, Tammy.

13/ If you're a Trump supporter and pissed, tough shit. The rules are right there. And as a military veteran who has folded countless flags, I think before lecturing others on how to treat the American flag, you should try following the rules yourself. Happy Fourth! 🇺🇸 /thread