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Will Hamm, "Where There's a Will, There's a Way!" (Hamm Homes)

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Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

https://www.legion.org/flag/flagmyths

People do it, and I've never heard of any law that would cause someone to be prosecuted for flying the flag at night without lighting.

Is it proper to fly the U.S. flag at night?

The Flag Code states it is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flag staffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness. The American Legion interprets “ proper illumination” as a light specifically placed to illuminate the flag (preferred) or having a light source sufficient to illuminate the flag so it is recognizable as such by the casual observer.

 

May 28, 2022 10:15 AM
Rainer
378,367
Don Baker
Lane Realty - Eatonton, GA
Lake Sinclair Specialist

flag code isn't actually federal law, but it's the right thing to do.

May 28, 2022 11:24 AM
Rainmaker
1,543,225
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® e-Pro CRS RCS-D Vets
Big Block Realty 858.232.8722 - La Jolla, CA
CEO of Vision Drive Realty - Coastal San Diego

No, it's just very disrespectful. Easy fix: get a solar or plug in spotlight on it, problem solved.

May 28, 2022 12:25 PM
Rainmaker
1,153,794
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

Unpatriotic for sure, however, it's not illegal.

May 28, 2022 12:23 PM
Rainmaker
1,052,056
Candice A. Donofrio
Next Wave RE Investments LLC Bullhead City AZ Commercial RE Broker - Fort Mohave, AZ
928-201-4BHC (4242) call/text

Yes! US Flag Code, if you're gonna fly it at night it must have lighting.

May 28, 2022 10:15 AM
Rainmaker
1,310,972
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

There are rules about flying the U. S. Flag. Breaking one of the rules is not breaking the law.

May 28, 2022 11:44 AM
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Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

See Jeff Pearl's answer.  He saved me from doing it 😜 

May 28, 2022 01:21 PM
Rainmaker
1,196,912
Peter Mohylsky, Beach Expert
PMI. Destin - Miramar Beach, FL
Call me at 850-517-7098

Not cool but is it actually illegal?  

May 28, 2022 10:20 AM
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Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

It is customary to fly the flag from sunrise to sunset unless flags are illuminated. They are not to be flown during inclement weather and there are instances that the flag is flown at ½ mast/staff. That's my nutshell version - my own knowledge from elementary school, Will!!

May 28, 2022 07:36 PM
Rainmaker
1,502,848
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

It's against the flag code, but I'm not aware of anyone ever being arrested for it.  I have lights on mine.

May 28, 2022 04:06 PM
Rainmaker
1,844,171
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Disrespectful is the word I'd use.

May 28, 2022 12:59 PM
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Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

We have 1,000 flags flying right now at a local school, round-the-clock, for the weekend. We have huge light plants in place to light them during the night. They are supposed to be lit at night, but I don't believe it's illegal if they are not. But it is disrespectful.

May 29, 2022 04:41 AM
Rainmaker
7,834,961
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

No. Many homes in our area leave their flags up. 

May 28, 2022 03:56 PM
Rainmaker
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Gary Frimann, CRS, GRI, SRES
Eagle Ridge Realty / Signature Homes & Estates - Gilroy, CA
REALTOR and Broker

I don't think it is illegal, it's just not proper etiquette/protocol.  It's also inappropriate to wear clothing made of the stars and stripes, which leads me to believe that entering the Capitol with that type of clothing tends to take away one's patriotic bragging rights.

May 29, 2022 10:10 AM
Rainmaker
5,215,488
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Jeff Pearl has you well covered on this one! You just can't teach some people respect. Very sad!

May 29, 2022 04:53 AM
Ambassador
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Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

It seems that people are going to do what they want to do whether it is legal or not, haha.

May 29, 2022 05:08 AM
Ambassador
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Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Jeff Pearl has a great answer. Not illegal, but it IS disrespectful.

May 29, 2022 09:59 AM
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Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

Not illegal, however you may be in danger from your neighbors if you do.

May 29, 2022 02:58 PM
Rainmaker
1,622,432
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

There is no absolute prohibition in federal law on flying the flag 24 hours a day. The Flag Code states:

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 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during hours of darkness. 

 

More rules here: https://sgp.fas.org/crs/misc/RL30243.pdf

May 29, 2022 12:17 PM
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Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

What is proper and illegal are two different things. This applies to many things including how we treat the U.S. Flag.

May 29, 2022 11:25 AM
Rainmaker
2,182,502
Michael J. Perry
KW Elite - Lancaster, PA
Lancaster, PA Relo Specialist

Interesting I never knew the Official Procedure

May 29, 2022 09:50 AM
Rainmaker
1,196,588
Doug Dawes
Keller Williams Evolution - 447 Boston Street, Suite #5, Topsfield, MA - Topsfield, MA
Your Personal Realtor®

It should be lowered at night if lighting is not provided

May 29, 2022 09:41 AM
Rainmaker
763,783
Tony Lewis
Summit Real Estate Group - Valencia, CA
Summit Real Estate Group Valencia & Aliso Viejo

Go ahead, it won't offend me.  I love patriots.

Jun 16, 2022 11:02 PM
Rainmaker
901,187
Carla Freund
Keller Williams Preferred Realty - Raleigh, NC
NC Real Estate Transition & Relocation 919-602-848

Well, I learned something new today. I know some of the requirements. We typically put ours up for holidays such as Memorial Day, etc. I don't think we take it down at night or have a light. I'll have to ask my better half since he is the one who is usually in charge of the flag. In addition, my neighbors who usually know these things don't have theirs lit at night. Not I'll start watching.

May 31, 2022 06:34 AM
Rainmaker
851,242
Brenda Mayette
Miranda Real Estate Group, Inc. - Glenville, NY
Getting results w/ knowledge & know-how!

I'm not sure anyone has ever been arrested for such but it sure is disrespectful.  

May 31, 2022 04:41 AM
Ambassador
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Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

I had a teacher in high school that taught us the flag code.  I will have to say I see some very cringe worthy things people do with the American flag. I try not to judge.  But I wish everyone knew the flag code.

May 30, 2022 10:57 AM
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Wanda Kubat-Nerdin - Wanda Can!
Red Rock Real Estate (435) 632-9374 - St. George, UT
St. George Utah Area Residential Sales Agent

It is very disrespectful, so is flying a tattered flag. Ours is lit 365 days of the year in our front yard and replaced once it starts to fray. My husband gives those flags to the Boy Scouts to properly retire them.

May 29, 2022 04:02 PM