How would you handle it if someone in your neighborhood started flying the U.S. flag upside down?

Capt Brandon Charters — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 19:14:38 -0500

Situation: You don’t know the owner, but the home is in your neighborhood and you drive by the house every day.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2021 7:30 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 19:30:16 -0500

One of two things.

Either find someone to do a welfare check on them since the upside down flag is a sign of distress, or if that was not the case, as noted by observation, I would probably respectfully request the flag be reflown upright.

In the latter case if the owner made an honest mistake and hadn't noticed then they will likely fix the situation. If the upside down flag was an intentional act (political protest, hates the USA, whatever) I'd probably tell him he's a prick and leave.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 27 at 2021 7:31 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 19:31:20 -0500

I would contemplate taking his flag.

Response by SFC Marc W. made Jan 27 at 2021 7:33 PM

SFC Marc W. — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 19:33:40 -0500

I agree with a possible welfare check.
Other than that, they're an American that has the right to freedom of speech. I may not like it, but it's really not worth giving the attention or the likely horrendous confrontation.

Response by Cpl Vic Burk made Jan 27 at 2021 7:35 PM

Cpl Vic Burk — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 19:35:06 -0500

I would go talk to the person. Explain that most Americans view this as a from of disrespect to the United States of America. If he still won't correct the situation there is nothing you can really do about it. Maybe tell the person if they don't love the USA they should move to another country. Most likely they will not be able to get away with it there and may very well imprisoned for their actions.

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Jan 27 at 2021 7:51 PM

SFC Melvin Brandenburg — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 19:51:13 -0500

Free country. People are free to be morons if they want to. Although, with the Biden win it might be time.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2021 8:22 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Jan 2021 20:22:48 -0500

Since flying a United States flag upside down is a distress signal, I would knock on the occupant's door and if home, ask if they knew what the upside-down flag meant... If they did not I would explain it to them... If they knew and meant it as a protest, then I would notify the police to make them aware... I would not try to escalate the problem with the person...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2021 10:35 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 10:35:27 -0500

Not worry about it because there are far bigger things in my life to worry about than someone likely making a political statement.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Jan 28 at 2021 1:46 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 13:46:12 -0500

You are free to ask the owner about it but no law is broken and no one is being harmed. As much as I disagree with it you are limited in what you can do as a response. Just be careful because the person may want the attention to turn it into a public spectacle.

Response by LTC Jeff Wilkinson made Jan 28 at 2021 4:19 PM

LTC Jeff Wilkinson — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 16:19:41 -0500

I don't need to invert. It annoys the snowflake neighbors just by flying.
Especially after finding a solar spotlight for it....

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2021 4:20 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 16:20:15 -0500

His Castle, his Flag. A neighbor across the field did until 1/20/21 and it's blood red here. Nobody bothered him. A good way to get shot around here. On their land uninvited, making demands. Someone burning it in public might push me to get involved, even though it is legal. Still worth going to jail over.

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made Jan 28 at 2021 10:26 PM

Sgt Dale Briggs — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 22:26:35 -0500

A dick being a dick, it’s not illegal to be an asshole.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2021 10:51 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 22:51:08 -0500

I would mind my own business

Response by MSG Danny Mathers made Jan 29 at 2021 1:31 PM

MSG Danny Mathers — Fri, 29 Jan 2021 13:31:21 -0500

I do nothing, this is a free country at least for now.

Response by SSG Steve Knox made Dec 30 at 2022 1:00 PM

SSG Steve Knox — Fri, 30 Dec 2022 13:00:34 -0500

This has happened in my neighborhood before. An elderly couple mistakenly hanged their flag upside down. At first, I thought they were in distress. They later explained. The older gentleman was a war vet like me. They displayed their flag "upside down" by mistake. They were very appreciative of me checking on them. Had it been deliberate, I would have continued to fly my flag right side up