Nightingale 0 #1 November 15, 2010 I wasn't sure whether to put this here, in a skydiving forum, or in Bonfire, so I figured I'd play it safe and put it in Speaker's corner and the mods can move it if necessary. I was always taught that it was disrespectful to allow the American flag to touch the ground (at least on purpose), and the Flag Code indicates that the flag should not touch anything beneath it, like the ground, though contrary to popular belief, you don't have to burn it, just pick it up. Every flag jump I've seen ends up with the flag lying on the grass. Has there been some kind of exception made for parachute jumps? I love watching the flag jumps. They're awesome, and beautiful, and there's something wonderful about watching the flag sail through the air, but I cringe when I see the flag hit the ground. Just curious about the thoughts of others. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyrider 0 #2 November 15, 2010 Normally, Ground crew should be there to pick it up and fold it properly! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tkhayes 115 #3 November 15, 2010 always have someone on the ground to be right there and pick up the flag the second it touches the ground - that is about the best you can do, and we (I) have never received any grief from anyone doing it that way. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matthewcline 0 #4 November 15, 2010 The purpose built flags are actually same color and design arrangement but Banner scale. Technically not a flag. Some Teams (Fastrax being one) have Congressional Decrees or Proclamations stating that the banner-flag may touch the ground and be picked up quickly for safety reasons, a 7800' flag with appropriate weight is a bit tough to catch. When Dana Bowman Jumps his Banner-Flag his narration even has this explanation in it. MattAn Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ion01 1 #5 November 15, 2010 I am sure someone is offended, maybe the mexicans becuase its not a mexican flag or the canadian or europeans because its like we are saying we are better than them, so we should probably just stop the whole thing............ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nightingale 0 #6 November 15, 2010 QuoteThe purpose built flags are actually same color and design arrangement but Banner scale. Technically not a flag. Some Teams (Fastrax being one) have Congressional Decrees or Proclamations stating that the banner-flag may touch the ground and be picked up quickly for safety reasons, a 7800' flag with appropriate weight is a bit tough to catch. When Dana Bowman Jumps his Banner-Flag his narration even has this explanation in it. Matt Thanks! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TriGirl 268 #7 November 15, 2010 For our demo team, the flags are flown from flag lines above the jumper. So, ground crew can usually catch the flags before they even hit the ground. If it does hit the ground, the crew picks it up as quickly as possible. When the jumpers stage their gear afterward, they make sure the whole rig gets right into the gear bag so it doesn't get dumped on the ground.See the upside, and always wear your parachute! -- Christopher Titus Shut Up & Jump! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
normiss 615 #8 November 15, 2010 The American Legion will also issue a certificate declaring the flag as a banner, thereby technically making it a "non-flag" for demo purposes only. I've heard of a few demo teams doing this and making clear during the audio portion of the demo. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RonD1120 58 #9 November 16, 2010 QuoteI wasn't sure whether to put this here, in a skydiving forum, or in Bonfire, so I figured I'd play it safe and put it in Speaker's corner and the mods can move it if necessary. I was always taught that it was disrespectful to allow the American flag to touch the ground (at least on purpose), and the Flag Code indicates that the flag should not touch anything beneath it, like the ground, though contrary to popular belief, you don't have to burn it, just pick it up. Every flag jump I've seen ends up with the flag lying on the grass. Has there been some kind of exception made for parachute jumps? I love watching the flag jumps. They're awesome, and beautiful, and there's something wonderful about watching the flag sail through the air, but I cringe when I see the flag hit the ground. Just curious about the thoughts of others. Jumped with the Liberty Parachute Team 1990-93. We assemble a ground crew on site for the large flags. They rarely catch the flag but retrieve it quickly. Never any problems with the spectators. The grief I have experienced is when we have to pack and rig the flag for the next jump. You have to lay it on the ground. I've had a few passersby get testy. A polite explanation usually calms the passions.Look for the shiny things of God revealed by the Holy Spirit. They only last for an instant but it is a Holy Instant. Let your soul absorb them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pirana 0 #10 November 16, 2010 Quote . . . a 7800' flag with appropriate weight is a bit tough to catch. 7800' flag? Maybe square footage, so about 100' X 78'?" . . . the lust for power can be just as completely satisfied by suggesting people into loving their servitude as by flogging them and kicking them into obedience." -- Aldous Huxley Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matthewcline 0 #11 November 16, 2010 Yes a 7800 square foot flag. http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/photo.php?fbid=1407748475293&set=t.1456020672&pid=1216313&id=1279861568 MattAn Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skinnay 0 #12 November 16, 2010 Flag jumpers are a fucking disgrace to this country. We should just call them FAG JUMPERS for letting OUR FLAG touch the ground! GOD BLESS THE USA!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matthewcline 0 #13 November 16, 2010 So says the Pink Unicorn. MattAn Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skyrider 0 #14 November 16, 2010 QuoteFlag jumpers are a fucking disgrace to this country. We should just call them FAG JUMPERS for letting OUR FLAG touch the ground! GOD BLESS THE USA!! I'm taking for granted that was as much a joke as that hair cut! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DSE 3 #15 November 16, 2010 This is what I've done for demos (American Legion cert). Learned about it here on DZ.com. With the weight on a a suspended flag, it's simply too dangerous (IMO) to ask anyone to attempt to catch it. The larger flag in this image has 18 lbs of shot sewn into the leading edge, and the lower flag has an 8lb weight hanging from it. This could seriously hurt someone. Matt, isn't the weight on the large Fastrax flag around 80lbs? In my limited number of flag-bearing demo jumps, an explanation goes a long way to demonstrating that you're respecting the flag as much as possible in the given circumstances, IMO. At the end of this video you get an idea of how fast the flag might be moving. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matthewcline 0 #16 November 16, 2010 The 7800 is pretty heavy, I have only jumped it once. The 3500 is heavy as well. To be honest I never weighed them so I do not know the exact weights, but 80 lbs for the 7800 seems pretty close. MattAn Instructors first concern is student safety. So, start being safe, first!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites