What do you think about a business posting the flags upside down?

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 11:56:22 -0400

What do you think about a business posting the flags upside down? Do you believe this is offensive to those of us that are serving and veterans?

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Jul 4 at 2015 12:02 PM

LTC Yinon Weiss — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 12:02:47 -0400

Yes, of course it is offensive -- not just to veterans but to all Americans. I would never purchase something from a business that flew an American flag upside down. If practical, I would politely inform the management in case they were not aware or if it was an accident (which is very likely).

Response by SGT Richard H. made Jul 4 at 2015 12:11 PM

SGT Richard H. — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 12:11:15 -0400

It's a sign of distress. I say gather a few Veterans/SMs with appropriate weaponry, Stack at the door, breach the door, clear all rooms with speed and violence of action, and then announce "We saw your distress signal, and we're here to rescue you!"

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Jul 4 at 2015 12:11 PM

SGM Matthew Quick — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 12:11:18 -0400

Is the business in distress? If not, maybe people shouldn't patronize that establishment.

Flying an American flag upside down isn't necessarily meant as political protest. The practice found its origin in a distress signal; displaying a flag in this manner is "a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property"; it has been used by extension to make a statement about distress in civic, political, or other areas.

Response by SGT Cary Taylor made Jul 4 at 2015 12:14 PM

SGT Cary Taylor — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 12:14:28 -0400

It depends on the intended purpose for doing so. If it is to slight America then it offends me as a veteran but it is not harming anybody.
If it is to imply America is in distress, then I completely agree with the point of them being displayed upside down. I truly believe America is in distress with all of the completely rediculous stuff happening within our great country lately.
I personally see this flag display as someone else who sees the direction that America is going and I agree with their frustration.

Response by LCpl Mark Lefler made Jul 4 at 2015 12:17 PM

LCpl Mark Lefler — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 12:17:34 -0400

I have a big problem with this, I get that it's a political statement, but I don't feel the flag should be used for that purpose.

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Jul 4 at 2015 12:17 PM

LTC Bink Romanick — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 12:17:45 -0400

It's disrespectful to the flag in my opinion and I wouldn't patronize the business.

Response by SFC Stephen King made Jul 4 at 2015 12:23 PM

SFC Stephen King — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 12:23:07 -0400

No sale.

The idea a business has stooped to this level is very disappointing.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 4 at 2015 12:29 PM

PO1 John Miller — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 12:29:03 -0400

1SG Private RallyPoint Member, I would first ask the business owner what type of duress that they're under, and what their statement is supposed to be.

I would then ask them if they realize this is highly offensive to most veterans. If they are liberal types who don't care about veterans, I would ask them why it's okay to offend a group of people they don't care about (veterans) but it's not okay for me to offend a group of people they care about.

There's all kinds of ways this could play out, and I simply don't have enough information on this particular example to make an informed decision.

Response by PO3 David Fries made Jul 4 at 2015 12:30 PM

PO3 David Fries — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 12:30:58 -0400

Personally , I believe that we are over using the word "offended". Our skin has grown so thin, we could be see through. Grow up, let the nonsense roll off, keep your head down, and carry the F on.

Response by CW3 Darin Yowell made Jul 4 at 2015 12:38 PM

CW3 Darin Yowell — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 12:38:51 -0400

Well I'd walk in and ask why, I understand the distress part but would need to know their reasoning. Then educate and make a discussion!

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Jul 4 at 2015 12:52 PM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 12:52:36 -0400

1SG Private RallyPoint Member Its pretty sad that a business would do such a thing. They will most likely make some people mad in their community and lose their business. Good! While we are a free in America to express our feelings, we will always have those that are disrespectful of what this day represents (no mater whether they are under distress or not).

Response by SSgt Charles Edwards made Jul 4 at 2015 12:55 PM

SSgt Charles Edwards — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 12:55:55 -0400

Well, this place is either run by terrorists, has no interest in making money (or retaining customers) or is hell - bent on pissing off a lot of people. Maybe when they're protested against, they'll change their tune.

Response by SGT Kevin Putala made Jul 4 at 2015 1:21 PM

SGT Kevin Putala — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 13:21:50 -0400

Society is starting to care less and less about the flag and what it stands for, and I believe businesses and people that do these things should be confronted and their actions addressed. We should not be a country that allows it's citizens to do whatever they want to the national flag and symbols with no recourse. So many have died for this country and the freedoms everyone here enjoy. So many soldiers have looked at this flag in the heat of battle and have been motivated by it to survive and push to victory, that makes this so wrong in my eyes. Freedom of speech and protesting is fine, but if you are going to desecrate the nations flag or other such symbols of those freedoms, then go live somewhere else and don't let the door hit you on the way out. To me, no matter if you are born here or came here from somewhere else to have a better life, you are an AMERICAN! Keep your ethnic traditions and religions, but once you are here you are an AMERICAN and should be loyal to this nation and this flag, displaying it proudly, fighting for it if you must!!

If we don't draw some clear lines and start enforcing them instead of worrying about hurting someone's feelings, this will be the least we have to worry about. We have all served this great nation and she is still the greatest on the planet, but our own government has allowed her to be knocked to her knees. We need to take a stand and help her rise back up and stand tall in the world again. Just my two cents....

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Jul 4 at 2015 1:33 PM

SSG Trevor S. — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 13:33:54 -0400

A police force should show up with full tactical support to help them in their time of distress, if it isn't true distress the business should have to pay the overtime.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 4 at 2015 1:46 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 13:46:05 -0400

Update: the business, a small town restaurant where I grew up, has removed the upside down flags. Originally it was stated it was in protest of the recent decisions made in our government, but now say they did it due to the ISIS threats for today.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 4 at 2015 4:57 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 16:57:33 -0400

Its freedom of speech. I hate to see the Colors flown in distress, but it is a compelling point that the Nation is in distress if not genuine jeopardy.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 4 at 2015 5:07 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 17:07:09 -0400

I would say that they wouldn't get my business.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 4 at 2015 5:12 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 17:12:21 -0400

They are in the wrong. It is supposed to be used for a ship at sea sailing under distress, not for some attempt at protest.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 4 at 2015 7:54 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 19:54:17 -0400

An upside down flag is a sign of distress. Are they trying to say they believe our nation is in distress?

Response by SGT John W Lugo made Jul 4 at 2015 8:20 PM

SGT John W Lugo — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 20:20:44 -0400

Yeah, That is them telling me that they prefer I don't shop at their store. No pride in America or their freedom of speech, then no business from me.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Jul 5 at 2015 2:07 PM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Sun, 05 Jul 2015 14:07:32 -0400

This is not offensive to me what-so-ever as long as the business owners actually believe our nation is in distress which it is. It's private property to include the colors and the building and the land it sits on. I understand its the principle of the matter but unless I can ask its being done, how can I fully form my opinion?

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 5 at 2015 2:12 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 05 Jul 2015 14:12:54 -0400

Call the cops. Then have the city bill the business for a false distress signal. However, the storm the business to save it also works.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 5 at 2015 2:57 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 05 Jul 2015 14:57:50 -0400

The rule is that you should be in 'dire distress'-ie: risk of loss of life.

HIGHLY inappropriate!!!

Response by SSG John Jensen made Jul 5 at 2015 9:44 PM

SSG John Jensen — Sun, 05 Jul 2015 21:44:38 -0400

ask them why - you might agree with them

Response by SSG John Erny made Jul 6 at 2015 2:48 PM

SSG John Erny — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 14:48:30 -0400

I will be looking down the street for another place to spend my money. Perhaps a VFW or Legion.

Response by SSG Eric Eck made Jul 6 at 2015 4:25 PM

SSG Eric Eck — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 16:25:24 -0400

Most people that have a bad attitude toward our government in such a way that they use the symbol of our nation to let everyone know how pissed off they are, also have a bad attitude toward the military and veterans, they would not get my business.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2015 7:43 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 19:43:05 -0400

I hope this was just a honest mistake. Was it corrected right away and turned around?

Response by LTC Julie Winston made Jul 6 at 2015 8:32 PM

LTC Julie Winston — Mon, 06 Jul 2015 20:32:02 -0400

I would probably just walk in and ask if they realized their flags were hung incorrectly. We take for granted that people I've a crap about customs and courtesies. They may not be American but proud to be in this country (and uneducated about flags).

If they responded inappropriately, a brawl is completely appropriate at that point. ;)

Response by SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA made Jul 9 at 2015 9:34 PM

SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA — Thu, 09 Jul 2015 21:34:41 -0400

I would ask them if they need help...what with the upside flag meaning distress and all...

Response by SFC Joseph James made Jul 16 at 2015 2:06 AM

SFC Joseph James — Thu, 16 Jul 2015 02:06:13 -0400

Disrespectful plain and simple! The flag has no reason to be upside down.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2015 5:37 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 17:37:31 -0400

this is a real hot button I think our country is under distress making deals with a country that hates us so they can get a nuclear weapon and destroy us is not a good thing snubbing our nose at a great ally in the Middle East our dearest friend Israel is not a good thing spying on American citizens attacking conservative groups with the IRS still that's not a good thing so here it is I agree we are under distress

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Feb 16 at 2016 6:37 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 18:37:20 -0500

I believe it's in poor taste....

Response by CPT Stephen Hogan made Jan 21 at 2017 11:16 AM

CPT Stephen Hogan — Sat, 21 Jan 2017 11:16:22 -0500

I don't like it

Response by SSgt Boyd Welch made Mar 17 at 2017 12:12 PM

SSgt Boyd Welch — Fri, 17 Mar 2017 12:12:21 -0400

I guess I'd like to know what kind of duress they are under before I charge in there guns a blazin'...

Response by CPL James S. made Jan 5 at 2019 10:56 AM

CPL James S. — Sat, 05 Jan 2019 10:56:42 -0500

offered IMHO only:
We fought to give them the right to freedom, and this includes being disrespectful. I dislike it, but I have the freedom to choose another business to give my money to.