On a military uniform, there is an American flag patch on the upper arm. Why are the stars and blue background on the wrong side?
I was told that's how it would look if you were holding an actual flag and charging into battle. (((shrug)))
DaQueenBeez wrote:
That's what I thought. And I think that's what dstieger was referring to in his reply..."Servicemen/women move forward - not backwards."
"Servicemen/women move forward - not backwards."
daveincincy wrote:
Unless they're French![frypan]
Halyard/Field forward - Servicemen/women move forward - not backwards - and the flag would fly back from the 'standard' (pole). Thus they're different depending on which arm you viewed.
dstieger wrote:
This is what I have been told too.
QUOTE ON: To quote USHistory.org, 'To wear our country's flag properly, the field of stars is worn closest to your heart. Thus, if your patch is to be worn on your LEFT sleeve, use a left flag (normal). For patches worn on your RIGHT sleeve, use a "right" or "reversed field" flag.'
This is the right answer, but the wrong reason. The correct reason is that the stars are always placed facing forward, as if the flag is blowing in the wind as the person (or airplane, or car) is moving forward. If you do it otherwise, it can be interpreted as moving backwards, or retreating. Positioning the flag in this way also places the blue field in the position of highest honor, according to heraldic rules. QUOTE OFF
