why does the combat patch go above the american flag?
547464
It used to on the old BDUs (battle dress uniform), but it longer does on the ACU (army combat uniform) for the simple fact that nothing should go above the US Flag.  Not very many people wore combat patches like they do today, and the Flag is a recent addition, so seeing as more and more Soldiers were doing tours in Iraq it was addressed on the new Army Combat Uniform.  We now wear the Flag above our combat patch.\n\nAlso, if you notice, the Flag is inverted.  This is to indicate that the colors are facing forward and that the US is moving forward and that the Soldiers and colors face the enemy, rather than away from the enemy.
418915
No it's completly fine to fly a different countries flag on american soil but it is an insult if the american flag isn't higher that the foreign flag.  Plus when the American flag is flown upside down it is to signify under attack and it is not to be done except in dire distress!  So that tells me that the immigrants are trying to invade america, so why don't we deal with them the same way we deal with anyother invaders!  Mass distruction!!!!!
1055752
Here is a sampling of the information available at the web site listed below:\n\n\nThe "FLAG CODE" \n\n\nPrevious to Flag Day, June 14, 1923 there were no federal or state regulations governing display of the United States Flag. It was on this date that the National Flag Code was adopted by the National Flag Conference which was attended by representatives of the Army and Navy which had evolved their own procedures, and some 66 other national groups. This purpose of providing guidance based on the Army and Navy procedures relating to display and associated questions about the U. S. Flag was adopted by all organizations in attendance. \n\nA few minor changes were made a year later during the Flag Day 1924 Conference, It was not until June 22, 1942 that Congress passed a joint resolution which was amended on December 22, 1942 to become Public Law 829; Chapter 806, 77th Congress, 2nd session. Exact rules for use and display of the flag (36 U.S.C. 173-178) as well as associated sections (36 U.S.C. 171) Conduct during Playing of the National Anthem, (36 U.S.C. 172) the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, and Manner of Delivery were included. \n\nThis code is the guide for all handling and display of the Stars and Stripes. It does not impose penalties for misuse of the United States Flag. That is left to the states and to the federal government for the District of Columbia. Each state has its own flag law. \n\nCriminal penalties for certain acts of desecration to the flag were contained in Title 18 of the United States Code prior to 1989. The Supreme Court decision in Texas v. Johnson; June 21, 1989, held the statute unconstitutional. This statute was amended when the Flag Protection Act of 1989 (Oct. 28, 1989) imposed a fine and/or up to I year in prison for knowingly mutilating, defacing, physically defiling, maintaining on the floor or trampling upon any flag of the United States. The Flag Protection Act of 1989 was struck down by the Supreme Court decision, United States vs. Eichman, decided on June 11, 1990. \n\nWhile the Code empowers the President of the United States to alter, modify, repeal or prescribe additional rules regarding the Flag, no federal agency has the authority to issue 'official' rulings legally binding on civilians or civilian groups. Consequently, different interpretations of various provisions of the Code may continue to be made. The Flag Code may be fairly tested: 'No disrespect should be shown to the Flag of the United States of America.' Therefore, actions not specifically included in the Code may be deemed acceptable as long as proper respect is shown.
395508
I am not sure why they are flying the flag at half MAST not mask
467530
No, there should be no penalty for these actions.  It is the fundamental freedom of all Americans to do what they will in protest short of wanton destruction of other's property and inhibition of another's freedom of movement.\n\nIf we penalize someone for flying a flag upside down or beneath another nation's flag, we are lessening our freedom and that is, ultimately, what the USA flag represents: FREEDOM.\n\nDo I approve?  No, I do not.  Will I fight to the death for their right to desecrate a USA flag?  Yes, I will.  The reason I feel this way is based on my belief that we, above all nations, must always, always, always protect freedom above else.  It is what we are, who we are, why we are.  And it is not optional.  Anyone who would lodge a penalty against someone for expressing themselves with a piece of cloth (even if that cloth is an American flag) is not a true and loyal American, but a pseudo-patriot who puts more value on woven material than freedom.\n\nIt isn't disrespect for the nation to do it although it is quite childish and makes no sense.  It is disrespect for freedom to stop it, though.\n\nBy the way, flying a flag upside down is not disrespect, it is a universal sign of distress.  If those students think they were doing something disrespectful they were not only being ridiculous they were being ignorant.
910743
The American flag should always be above anything else placed in OR on the shadowbox.  This is done out of respect for our nation's symbol.  The flag should be folded with the standard tri-fold (triangle shaped) fold and only the field of stars should be showing when placed in the box.  If folded properly, the flag should have a star at the top of the triangle with the remaining visible stars coming down from that in a pyramid shape.  Any engravings or plates attached to the shadowbox should be at the bottom and all certificates, medals and other memorabilia should be placed in order of rank precedence or importance below the flag.
972257
Different versions of the flag were adopted on different dates, which you will find here:\n\nhttp://www.netstate.com/states/symb/flags/tx_flag.htm
674901
They aren't backwards. Flags on uniform are sawed on as if "the flag is waving from the breeze." Meaning, if it is on the right (arm) side, the stars would be toward the front of the soldiers, making it look backwards. On the other hand, if it is on the left (arm) side, the stars would still be toward the front of the soldier, but it would look "normal."\n\nImagine running with a flagpole with the American flag. If somebody sees you on your left, it looks "normal." If someone sees you on your right, it looks "backwards." It is the same concept.
966773
Go to rangerjoe.com, they will have the patch you want.  They carry all kinds of patches and military gear.  Good luck and have a good day.
414383
The American flag is put on the Army uniform in the same way that the flag would look if the soldier was carrying a flag on a pole.  It shows that the soldier is carrying the American flag towards battle.
1016512
If you want an answer to your question.... ask an old soldier. The  left shoulder patch in your father's photo is the ID patch of the Third Support Brigade which, by the way, is not a Vietnam unit but a Vietnam era unit that was stationed within the continental United States. It was activated during August, 1966, and deactivated in 1991. The patch has a red background bordered by yellow with three yellow spearheads in the foreground. The spearheads are pointing upward and are joined at the shoulder symbolizing the spirit of cooperation and industry exerted in support of services to the Army's combat elements. Your fathers rank, below the unit ID patch, shows at that time he was a Specialist Fourth Class ( E-4 ). Kind of like a specialized corporal but had no NCO privileges. The ribbon he is wearing over his left pocket is the ribbon of the National Defense Medal. The badge below that is an Expert Rifleman's Badge for rifle marksmanship. When this photo was taken your father had not been sent to Vietnam yet since no campaign or other personal awards (i.e. ribbons) are present in the photo. I hope this answers your question. If you could describe your fathers Vietnam unit patch, located on the right shoulder of the uniform, I would be more than happy to assist in explaining where your father was at in Vietnam and with what unit he was with. By the way, nice tattoo and your mom and dad did a good job. You're very pretty and lucky to have a dad who served. Tell him I said, "Welcome Home".
221007
it represents the freedoms that you have as an American. although it seems that those freedoms are being cut back just ask some people from some other countries that aren't free. They will tell you what this means and how lucky you really are.
80766
Oh you must be talking about axel rose. This isn't a patch its what is called a distinctive unit insignia in army terms but is commonly called a unit crest. They are usually the symbols of a regiment sized unit. They are metal and worn on the shoulders of the dress uniform, and on the new army black beret. The unit is the 32nd armored, its  an armored unit, and two of the battalions was stationed in Kirch Goens germany in the 80s. It was part of the 3rd armored division. There are stores on line that sell these things. There is a kind of rmy urban legend that Axel Rose was in the army and in this unit at Kirch Goens. No Bio of his matches this..Ive met GIs who swore it was true,so this might make a good question ;)
169020
Just like ships, aircraft have position lights to indicate left (red) or right (green). Most things aeronautical stem from shipboard tradition and this is the case here. It helps to distinguish which direction the craft is flying at night.\n\nIt's is true that the flag is painted as if it were in a wind from the viewer right. If the wind were from the viewers left, it would appear correctly. (Just like on a real flagpole.)
1173712
For the United States-\n\nThe basic design of the flag is specified by sections 1 and 2 of Title 4, United States Code (4 U.S.C. §§ 1, 2 (2004)). Executive Order 10834 which may be found as a note to section 1, specifies the proportions of the flag and the arrangement of the stars in the union.
986751
The 1st CAV patch (on the left soldier) will signify what unit the soldier is in (as I'm sure you know).  The horse faces forward to symbolize it heading into battle.  Many 1st CAV soldiers, once authorized to wear the combat patch on the right soldier and placed then placed one of their patches there, did not like the fact that the horse is now facing to the wear (so it looks like its running away).  They then went to to the local sew shop/alterations and had custom made patches so that the horse would be facing forward on the right side as well.  It is against regulations to alter a unit patch in any way.  \n\nSo if you see someone with a horse facing forward on the left, and to the rear on the right, then they are in accordance to army regulations.  If both horses are facing forward, then that soldier is not to standard and should corrected.\n\nThe only people authorized to change or implement a unit patch is the Institute of US Army Heraldry (as per AR-670-1, 28-16, part B).
876292
It came about unintentionally while the military was trying to streamline the ranking insignia for all branches. However, the "gold" is actually brass with gold coloring on it. For an explanation of how this came about, check out this wikipedia link:\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Army_officer_rank_insignia