Bikers show their true colors!

**BigFoot** · 01-22-2011, 08:41 PM

I am sure some of you have seen this. But thought I would post it for those who have not. It is pretty sad when a school says a young kid can't ride his bike to school if he is going to fly the American flag on it.

As a Biker and a member of the Patriot Guard these guys get a huge

from me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Po7k5...layer_embedded

**kg4ghn** · 01-22-2011, 09:49 PM

Awesome!!!

I fully support that kid and those guys. There is no reason why anybody shouldn't be allowed to fly our flag. Bravo to them!

**BladeDE40** · 01-22-2011, 10:02 PM

I saw this on the new a little while ago...I thought it was pretty awsome...I don't think anyones gonna mess with that kid now.

**instpasr** · 01-22-2011, 10:38 PM

Pretty awesome show for such a young man. I fly my flag loud and proud and so do several of my neighbors, to quote Mr T "I pity the fool that tries to take my flag down"

**Walker** · 01-22-2011, 11:02 PM

Man, it really pisses me off when people do this stupid crap. Can't fly the flag.....in America? I saw on CNN were a retired Marine living in a housing development was told to take his flagpole down because it was against the rules of that community. Everything this country was founded on is being banned.

Way to go kid!!!

**SRock** · 01-22-2011, 11:12 PM

I was heartbroken when I heard this story. What in the world is wrong with a place (city, state, town, school, country whatever) when a boy can't be proud of the nation he lives in wherever it may be.

I agree the Patriot Guard, American Legion Riders and other such organizations deserve

**instpasr** · 01-22-2011, 11:14 PM

Makes you mad when a few knuckle heads want to take away what we have fought for because they are offended. The majority of US Citizens like to see the flag, celebrate the holidays of their own choosing or non choosing. If you don't like the flag don't fly it but don't tell me that I can't fly mine.

**The Nid Hog** · 01-23-2011, 04:30 AM

I think it's pretty stupid to tell the kid that he can't have the flag on his bike because it's a safety concern. On the other hand, if he was my kid, I wouldn't let him ride his bike to school like that either. What does he do with the flag when he gets to school--roll it up and case it? My personal opinion is that a flag shouldn't be treated like an ornament like that. A flag should be displayed respectfully, in the appropriate places and at the appropriate times. As far as I'm concerned, that goes for bikers too. That's why they make flag-shaped patches. Of course, this is America and if that's what you want to do, go for it.

**luvmysuper** · 01-23-2011, 05:27 AM

Just for the record, I have a smallish US Flag for my motorcycle, and it is on a removeable pole.
It gets taken down at the end of the day, rolled and stored in a protective case. (The flag is permanently attached to the pole, so it can't be folded, that's how it was made.)
Of all the guys I know who fly flags from their bikes, I have never seen any of them leave the flag out and exposed.
I do know a guy who never removes his, but his bike is garaged 100 percent of the time that he is not riding.
In every case I have witnessed, the larger flags used for parade purposes are treated with the utmost respect.
It would indeed be a shame to show your pride in your country by displaying a flag, and then to treat that very symbol with disrespect.

And to the OP - Patriot Guards rule!!!!

**The Seeker** · 01-23-2011, 07:03 AM

In a country founded on the principals of freedom, it's amazing things like this happen at all. Some people always try to mess with a good thing.

**grump** · 01-23-2011, 07:33 AM

Fly her proudly, excellent ending to the story!!!

**PanchoVilla** · 01-23-2011, 08:05 AM

I'd just be interested in knowing who the 'brainiack' was to make such a decision in the first place. I certainly have some ideas.

**ouch** · 01-23-2011, 08:13 AM

As fas as I'm concerned, this story isn't over until every single dunce who supported the original decision is driven from their position of authority. I'm far more afraid of these folks being allowed to dictate policy than some sweet little kid with a flag.

My favorite biker t-shirt: A flag with the caption, "Try burning this one ......."

**M80** · 01-23-2011, 08:36 AM

I find that the people who consider themselves the most patriotic are the same people who commit the most violations of flag code / flag etiquette. I counted 5 in that 3 minute video.

When I was a Cub Scout they taught us the proper way to handle and display a flag, and they made sure to teach us proper flag etiquette and had us study the National Flag Code. I never forgot these lessons, but seeing the way most people treat the flag these days, it seems most people never learned these lessons and they don't really care if they are disrespecting the flag through their ignorance.

**M80** · 01-23-2011, 08:40 AM

Originally Posted by ouch

My favorite biker t-shirt: A flag with the caption, "Try burning this one ......."

UNITED STATES CODE
TITLE 36
CHAPTER 10

§176. Respect for flag

(d) The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery.

**ouch** · 01-23-2011, 08:43 AM

Please spare me the details. The honoring of the flag comes from the heart, not blind obeyance to some enumerated code.

**breadstick** · 01-23-2011, 08:56 AM

I had a brief experience with the Patriot Guard a few years ago. I was on Honor Guard for my base and was working an active duty funeral for someone that died in Iraq. It was said that there were protesters that were going to be at the funeral. On the day of the funeral, there was snow on top of ice and a windchill of -10. Needless to say, it was cold in only our dress blues. The Patriot Guard were there before we got there and didn't leave until we did. They stood outside with us the entire time and only moved occasionally to warm themselves. They truly earned my respect that day.

**The Nid Hog** · 01-23-2011, 08:57 AM

Originally Posted by M80

UNITED STATES CODE
TITLE 36
CHAPTER 10

§176. Respect for flag

(d) The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery.

Originally Posted by ouch

Please spare me the details. The honoring of the flag comes from the heart, not blind obeyance to some enumerated code.

My reading of the US Code is that it means the flag itself, not representations of it. So a flag T-Shirt is OK. But people take this stuff seriously. I used to run with a friend of mine in the Royal Marines at lunchtime and I thought that it was interesting that he wore issue PT shorts that were Union Jack patterned. None of my then-colleagues could imagine doing sit-ups on the deck with the Stars and Stripes on our rear ends.

On the other hand, I disagree with casually dismissing the conventions that govern use and display of the flag. The flag is an important ritual object, not just a fashion accessory. Personally I can't imagine being so overcharged with patriotism that the conventions for usage aren't enough. But it's a free country, isn't it?

**M80** · 01-23-2011, 09:13 AM

Originally Posted by The Nid Hog

My reading of the US Code is that it means the flag itself, not representations of it.

Read closer.

The words 'flag, standard, colors, or ensign', as used herein, shall include any flag, standard, colors, ensign, or any picture or representation of either, or of any part or parts of either, made of any substance or represented on any substance, of any size evidently purporting to be either of said flag, standard, colors, or ensign of the United States of America or a picture or a representation of either, upon which shall be shown the colors, the stars and the stripes, in any number of either thereof, or of any part or parts of either, by which the average person seeing the same without deliberation may believe the same to represent the flag, colors, standard, or ensign of the United States of America.

**M80** · 01-23-2011, 09:28 AM

Originally Posted by ouch

Please spare me the details. The honoring of the flag comes from the heart, not blind obeyance to some enumerated code.

I respect the fact that we have differing opinions on this matter; but "Please spare me the details."? That seems just a little bit snide to me. I was only trying to participate in a discussion about the flag, not insult people.