I swear that in the past I had seen some sort of regulation about flying the Ensign at night. But I can't find anything official for the USCG. Just wondering if anybody can help me out on where to look.

Are you asking about shore based, afloat, at home, on base or what? (Also just for confirmation, are you talking about the National Ensign or CG Ensign?)

If you are talking about the American Ensign, my understanding is that if you fly it at night, it has to be lit up.

Not sure about any CG regs against it though but why would everyone have evening colors throughout bases, all branches, if others fly it at night?

Someone in here should be able to give you a much better idea though.

Don

Don;
That is a common urban myth that all you have to do is light it up and it's "authorized." That is puttin the cart before the horse. IF you can get it authorized to fly after eve colors, than, you must light it. Take a look at the flag code. This is nothing but a inteligent common sense flow, but if Congress went through to specificaly list what places MAY fly the National Ensign 24/7, it seems to me that anyone NOT listed should NOT be flying it.

Mightyz90_93, I know of a unit that at times has is not manned 24/7 but because it is still an official CG unit, a National Ensign is left flying w/ a timer to ensure it is lighted up. And yes, because of changes in time there could be short period of times when the light either comes on late or too early. But it's not like the place will go on flames for it. I even saw one that had a generator in place for when there was (if any) a blackout. But the question some might have is why even go through all this trouble and not just close the place? We know the answer...Beltway Politics.

I suppose all of that effort and expense is much easier than the last person out of the building taking down the Ensign and the first person in (after 0800) hauling it up.

I found this in the FLAG CODE OF THE UNITED STATES...

SEC. 2.(a) 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 twenty-four hours a day
if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.

Kind of vague. I swear I remember reading a CG Policy or something along those line, years ago. The reason for this is that an OSC at the SSD here, has aimed a light, that normally lights up the sidewalk, towards the National Ensign, and has the declared it "Lit Up" at night. I don't think this is "properly illuminated" and should not be accepted. The light barely illuminates the Ensign. From the cutter, it doesn't look like the light even hits the flag staff...

Chapter 14 of the USCG Regulations should answer the question.

You may also wish to spin through the CGMS archives. I seem to recall seeing a message.

From NTP 13(b)

219. NATIONAL AND NAVY CUSTOMS
It is the national custom to display the national flag from sunrise until
sunset on buildings and on stationary flag staffs in the open, but it should not
be displayed on days when the weather is inclement. However, Navy custom
prescribes that the national flag be displayed from 0800 until sunset, regardless
of weather conditions.

I live on a Air Force Base they do colors every day at 1630 to mark the end or the work day but never take a flag down. Most are sort of lit at night but not by much. It is a different word from the CG and Navy Bases I have served on, not one of which that did not observe colors and take down the flag at night

It appears that lighting the National Ensign at night at a CG Command is against the rules

Coast Guard Regulations Commandant Instruction M5000.3B


14-2-3 Morning and Evening Colors

A. The ceremonial hoisting and lowering of the National Ensign at 0800 and sunset at a Coast Guard command ashore or aboard a ship of the Coast Guard not underway, shall be known as Morning Colors and Evening Colors respectively, and shall be carried out as prescribed in this article.

(1) The guard of the day and the band shall be paraded in the vicinity of the point of hoist of the ensign.

(2) “Attention” shall be sounded, followed by the playing of the National Anthem by the band.

(3) At Morning Colors, the ensign shall be started up at the beginning of the music and hoisted smartly to the peak or truck. At Evening Colors, the ensign shall be started from the peak or truck at the beginning of the music and the lowering so regulated as to be completed at the last note.

(4) At the completion of the music, “Carry On” shall be sounded.

B. In the absence of a band, or an appropriate recording to be played over the public address system, “To the Colors” shall be played by the bugle at Morning Colors, and “Retreat” at Evening Colors, and the salute shall be rendered as prescribed for the National Anthem.

C. In the absence of music, “Attention” and Carry On” shall be the signals for rendering and terminating the salute. “Carry On” shall be sounded as soon as the ensign is completely lowered.

D. During colors, a boat underway within sight or hearing of the ceremony shall lie to, or shall proceed at the slowest safe speed. The boat officer, or when the boat officer is absent, the coxswain, shall stand and salute except when dangerous to do so. Other persons in the boat shall remain seated or standing and shall not salute.

E. During colors, vehicles within sight or hearing of the ceremony shall be stopped. Persons riding is such vehicles shall remain seated at attention.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: FlynnPatrick,

Mightyz90_93, again, you are assuming that they are coming back the next day to raise the National Ensign. That was the issue w/ this unit. Locals, who would not hesitate to call their local politicians, would voice their concern that the unit was not flying the National Ensign. So don't assume because you know what happens when we assume...

Actually, I wasn't assuming the next calander day.

I would invite the locals to join the CGAux and then give them the honor of being part of the color guard!

quote:

I swear that in the past I had seen some sort of regulation about flying the Ensign at night. But I can't find anything official for the USCG. Just wondering if anybody can help me out on where to look.

I can't quote a reg but we used to fly the ensign at night but then he told the CO and we had to stop.

IMO The only possible reasons for not following CG Regulations in the case of colors protocol, is either indifference, or ignorance. Both reasons are highly mitigating in any case. ( )

Why does CG Regulations contradict the United States Code?

Does that contridiction call into question the legitimacy and legality of the Commandant's Instruction?

It's a catch-22 in my book.

I've heard some say that flying the national ensign means someone is aboard the unit [ashore] and should be hauled down daily. The reasonings behind that have yet to be found.

USC is this nation's guiding code. Commandant's Instructions amplify that. Could Commandant's Instructions be taking into account the cost of flying a flag 24/7 [lights, electricity, and more flags per year] as their reason to amplify the USC?

Anyone know WHO received an article 15 for failing to obey an order or regulation by not holding evening colors the night the British were bombing Fort Henry? After all, the national ensign was illuminated by those bombs according to our National Anthem.

Is the National Anthem the source for the illumination rule?

Wondering minds want to know.

For the record, I flew the National Ensign 24/7 ... properly illuminated, congruent with the USC.

Joe I don't see a catch 22. USC the Flag Code is what is allowed in general.

CG Regs is what is allowed on a CG installation. The Commandant has the right to dictate what is allowed and when, as long as the rules do not expand what is allowed by the Flag Code there is no problem.

Here in retired-ville, I put my American Flag out at or after sunrise, with a fresh cup of mud, and my sidekick black cat (swirling for the tripped owner-effect) close at hand.

I or my dear wife haul it in before sunset.

At night, it stands proudly, just inside my front door, patiently awaiting the next day's duty.

sindbad sends

In all of my years in the CG, I have stood in all types of weather hoisting or striking the colors. And when I felt like *****ing about it, I just remember why I was doing what I was doing. It wasn't about me, it was about those that came before and paid the price. The biting cold didn't seem as cold then - the snow and sleet being whipped by the wind didn't sting as much. The rain soaking me through didn't seem as cold and wet. The heat didn't seem quite as bad and the humidity stopped being an issue.

As for flying the colors at night - I have never been to a base or been on a ship that did that. And I guess as long as the flag has lights shining on it - so be it.

Even though I have total respect for the flag and what it stands for - let me add that I do not think we need a constitutional amendment banning the burning of the flag.

One other thing - there isn't a time that I do not get goosebumps and a lump in my throat when I hear taps being played. I find that comforting and I have the Coast Guard to thank for that.

nickap
retired and still having fun