Hello, just would like to get some opinions here. What do you think about a US serviceman displaying a foreign flag at his residence? I came across a blog by an NCO (US Army). The blog is in Russian, because the NCO in question is a native of Russia. I found the blog because it was written about by a premier Russian newspaper; the article used it to illustrate how depressed US servicemen in Iraq are. So I got curious and started reading the blog time to time (my Russian is fluent). What got me kind of perplexed was a picture the author posted yesterday. She displays a huge Russian flag in front of her off-base residence in Ft.Lee. Well, I believe in the 1st Amendment and what it entitles, but it seems to me that for a US serviceman to display a foreign flag and not to display a US flag is somewhat in bad taste, unpatriotic and against the Oath of Enlistment. What do you guys think? I did post on her blog and did express this opinion (politely ), yet she told me to get lost. I am too old to have my feelings hurt by a rude comment, but coincidentally I may be traveling to Ft.Lee on a business pretty soon. I know the name and the rank of this female NCO; should I try to discuss the matter with her commander? Do I even have a point here or my indignation is out of line? It just does not rub me the right way; a US soldier should have loyalty, even a symbolic one, to the United States ONLY. What do you think? Thanks!

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

AFAIK, there is no law (civilian or UCMJ) prohibiting the display of any flag you please in front of your house (assuming it's her house and not on base). Most of the rules about flags are concerned with physical treatment of the US flag, its position and elevation when displayed with other flags, etc...

I have never been a big flag putter-upper. There are three days I display flags:

Flag Day: One US and one Korean flag (my wife is Korean)
US Independence Day: American flag only
Korean Independence Day: Korean flag only

Ive had mostly curious stares at the Korean flag. Occasionally someone will get worked up about this. I don't care. I'm going to do what I am going to do and nobody can stop me.

I take this matter on a case by case circumstance. Most people from other nations are not near as fixated on their flags as we are. Its more of a cultural identity thing for the vast majority of immigrants. If a Russian wants to display a Russian flag its generally fine by me. Why? Because even if they immigrated here and even went so far as to gain citizenship, that person is still Russian. Now if this is just one piece in an overall anti-American sentiment and refusal to assimilate, then I have a problem.

She has the right to properly display any flag she wants at her residence unless its' on base. The only law is question would be if she flew both the Russian & US, then the US would be to the right and higher up. I suggest you do not trample on her rights as a citizen.

I fly an American flag 350 days a year.
I fly the German flag on October 3rd.
I fly the Texas Tech "Red Raider Nation" flag on gamedays.
I fly a white flag with a big yellow smiley face on my birthday.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: pharoah_1701n,

As long as respect and decorum is followed, why not?

quote:

Originally posted by 300_Spartans:
Most people from other nations are not near as fixated on their flags as we are.

True. Most other nations view their national flags about as "reverently" as we might view our State flag. When was the last time anyone got worked up over how someone treated their State flag?

I find it odd as do not recall seeing Russian flags when walked the streets of Brooklyn NY Russian hoods. Maybe a singular event by one looking to make sometype of a statement?

quote:

Originally posted by Shardik:

quote:

Originally posted by 300_Spartans:
Most people from other nations are not near as fixated on their flags as we are.

True. Most other nations view their national flags about as "reverently" as we might view our State flag. When was the last time anyone got worked up over how someone treated their State flag?

I don't think that applies when talking about South Carolinians. We are hotheads. Always looking for a fight.
Our flag is simple and unique.

St. Andrews flag is the only foriegn flag I would consider flying.

Then there's our Texas flag, which we fly at equal height to the National flag.
I wasn't born Texan, but I got here as fast as I could.

I gurantee you (sugar free) would fly your American flag if you were sent to another nation or had to go there to secure a better life for yourself.

You may become a citizen of another country, join there military even, but you'd still be proud of your American heritage, just as this soldier is.

I think you would be WAY out of line contacting her CO and I bet he wouldn't give a fig as long as she isn't breaking any laws.

quote:

Originally posted by k9corps:
I find it odd as do not recall seeing Russian flags when walked the streets of Brooklyn NY Russian hoods. Maybe a singular event by one looking to make sometype of a statement?

I've found that privately flying flags, in general, is more common in rural and suburban areas, and not so much in urban.

Seems to me, if you want to fly a foreign flag, have at it. You had best be flying the U.S. flag at the same time, and have them displayed properly.

quote:

Originally posted by pharoah_1701n:
Then there's our Texas flag, which we fly at equal height to the National flag.
I wasn't born Texan, but I got here as fast as I could.

Hooah

SaraSnipe out

I get the Texas, original Confederate, Puerto Rico, Cuba and Chile flags confused.

If the person has a security clearance, as most NCOs do, there may be some loyalty issues here that a Security Manager may need to know. It's been a while, but when I was a Security MAnager, even talking to a Russian had to be disclosed and debriefed. The world has changed, but when it comes to Security Clearances, appearance of disloyalty to the country can cause a Clearance to be suspended or revoked - -

quote:

Originally posted by sugar_free:
It just does not rub me the right way; a US soldier should have loyalty, even a symbolic one, to the United States ONLY. What do you think? Thanks!

I displayed the 1903-1919 Kaiserliche Marine War Ensign in West Germany in my barracks room in 1984-85. The Army didn't care and it went through numerous official room inspections. No problems.

I fly the Rakkasan Flag occasionally now and the American Flag on the appropriate days.

I realize that this is slightly different and also things may have changed drastically since my time, but not only was it common it was expected that foreign officers would fly their own flags from their on post residences. "Colonels row" had every color in the rainbow flying.