Patriotism

No, they don't think anything of it. I say the pledge w/my 7th graders each morning and once I asked them if they realized what they were saying. They didn't! They couldn't explain what "allegiance" or "indivisible" meant or what a Republic is.

...so I jumped on the opportunity to let them know. We had a great talk about it. =) They'll cover it all in much more depth next year.

I was taught in grade school that the flag should never touch the ground. We were taught how to fold it correctly, and raise it up a flag pole respectfully. My brother has a framed folded flag in a display case from one of the missions he went on in Iraq. I don't know if it's being taught in schools now, but it should be. It's patriotism; we should be proud of the country we live in, and have respect, even if we don't always agree with government/politics. It's not about just the material..it's what it stands for.

Respect comes in many forms and it does not need to be only tied to our flag. I would not let our flag fall to the ground, nor that of any other country because it is disrespectful. I teach my son to respect people, ideas, things, etc. and I would like to think that respect is what gives him an appreciation and care for the world around him.
You are very wrong in saying that most schools do not say the pledge of allegiance! It is required by law in nearly 40 states. It really irritates me when people spew opinion as fact, especially in this hate-mongering political era. As a historian, I have taught the pledge of allegiance from a historical perspective (originally written by a socialist). It has been changed over the years and there is no requirement to recite it because it violates religious beliefs about idolotry (Jehovah's Witnesses brought it to court). Saying the pledge does not make one patriotic, especially if said day after day without understanding its meaning. I believe patriotism is rooted in respect. If you teach your child to be respectful, then they will be patriotic.

YES!! My children are taught these fundamentals.

Taking your hat off during the National Anthem.
Putting your right hand over your heart when saying the Pledge of Allegiance and YES - my boys KNOW it.

I was taught at an EARLY age that the Flag was to be respected - it was a symbol and deserved honor and Glory.

I knew of the rule. I will probably catch a lot of hell for saying this, but to me it is just a piece of cloth. You can be a patriot without going gonzo over the flag. It isnt like our country will fall apart, any more than it is, just because people dont treat the flag like it is a piece of holy treasure. You pay your taxes, you vote, you honor your troups, you do unto others, you love this country etc. But you dont have to treat the flag as if it is sacred. They say you cant fly the flag at night unless you have a light shining on it...why? you cant dare let a drop of rain touch it either...why? why do people have to say a pledge...to a piece of cloth??? sounds like people want to treat the flag the same as they treated the golden calf.

I suppose it is because we are a military family, but respect for our flag is something that has been an ever present part of our lives. We stand with our hands over our hearts for the national anthem AND when the colors pass by. We say the pledge of allegiance, and I have, on more than one occasion, talked to my kids about the symbolism behind the features of the flag. We do these things, not as a requirement, but because the impact and sacrifice is a direct part of our lives. From this inside perspective, it does seem such things are relegated more to sporting events and a quick morning routine at school, but especially after 9/11-I find myself often being pleasantly surprised at what an effort so many people have made to bring this subject to attention. At parades I will see kids putting their miniature flags down on the ground and I always remind them to pick it up. Sometimes I get funny looks from parents, but not always, because usually people feel a bit sheepish that they didn't notice or know to do it themselves. You are right-so many people have lost the fundamental concept of respect for our colors, but I don't think it is always because they don't care. Many times, they simply don't know, so they don't understand WHY they should rush to pick up the flag. I think the more people become aware of it, the more we can bring back the more fundamental aspects of good citizenship in this country. It's never too late to start teahing our kids. There are plenty of books you can read with your kids to bring the stories, imagery and concept of respect into everyday conversation-I have found that to be one of the easiest ways to introduce these subjects. A fantastic book to help kids understand the concept of sacrifice and respect is "America's White Table," by Margot Theis Raven. It is written from the perspective of a young girl whose uncle had been a POW and comes to dinner where they set the single table in memory of all those who don't come home, and what they fought for. She finds her own way of saying thanks....even though she is young. It is not political at all-but it does a beautiful job of explaining what the flag and our country stand for. Sorry this was so long-this is obviously a subject that means a lot to me!

While I know the flag flying and flag handling rules, I agree with the comments that feel patriotism is blown out of proportion.
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Added: Kids can be taught respect without them having to pledge allegiance to a flag just because they were born here. Also, pledging allegiance doesn't mean that a person is really a patriot. Some people say the pledge just because everyone else is. There have been and still are born and raised Americans that have performed terrorist/hateful acts and crimes and I bet they said the pledge in school as well.

Even my 8 year old knows not to let the American Flag touch the ground!
He also knows the proper way to dispose of a flag.

For those who are not familiar with flag "etiquette," here are some rules and more can be found at http://www.usflag.org/flagetiquette.html

*The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal.

*The flag should not be used as a drapery, or for covering a speakers desk, draping a platform, or for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top.

*The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard

*The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, fireman, policeman and members of patriotic organizations.

*The flag should never have placed on it, or attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind.

*The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.

I learned all of this in Girl Scouts, too. My daughter's school not only says the pledge every morning, but if you are in the halls, you stop whatever you are doing, and you say it. It drives me crazy to see a tattered flag, particularly one flying outside of a school. Don't they know better?

Yes, it's "just a piece of cloth." But that's what makes it special. We forget that patriotism and nationalism were invented here. Before the United States of America, people were not citizens of a country - they were subjects of a monarch. We pledge allegience to a FLAG and to the republic for which it stands - not a king. We have that right, of self determination. That is also why the rules for flag etiquette are just that: a code for etiquette, and not law. We don't have to do anything for it, but we are asked to respect how amazing it was, and is, that we did this thing - we took all these people from all of these different countries and religions and economic backgrounds, and we created a nation. E pluribus unum - from many, one. And all we had in common - sometimes, to this day it's all we seem to have in common - is that flag.

I think a lot of people don't teach their kids about the flag not touching the ground just because it doesn't come up in conversation very often.... I agree that patriotism can be carried too far, and also that some of the rules seem silly.... I didn't even know that a flag that had touched the ground should be burned, wow. But, I do think we should teach our kids to respect it.

Last Memorial Day, my kids marched in a parade through town with kids from their dance studio. The kids were young... my own were 4 and 7, and some were even younger. Each was given a small flag to carry & wave. I told my kids when they got theirs, not to put them down, not to play with it or fight with it, to treat it with respect. I'm sure they wouldn't have known unless I told them, but I felt it was my job to teach them!! When they stopped to rest, in a cemetery where a small ceremony was taking place, kids were playing with them & leaving them on the ground everywhere. It especially bothered me on that day & in that place.... surrounded by veterans... I felt like I was the only parent that even noticed. Same thing happens at parades, when they hand out little flags to the kids - they're treated almost like disposable objects.

My kids learned the pledge at age 3, in preschool. They've wowed a lot of people by saying all those big words!! I know they don't know what it all means... but we've talked about it a bit. I do think kids should be taught the pledge, although as they grow up, if they choose not to say it, that's fine....

Yes, I learned this is Girl Scouts when I was little. They are taught this in our daughters old elementary school.

It is like manners, we need to teach our children these things and not depend on others to teach respect and patriotism.. That is what all of those men and women fighting all of those wars are doing. They are working to protect our freedoms.

It is just like manners. It all counts.

At my kid's school they say the Pledge of Allegiance every single morning. My son learned it in preschool.
I absolutely know it isn't supposed to touch the ground. Did you know that if it does it is supposed to be burned?
L.

Oh yes, my Dad taught us about flag etiquette while we were growing up. Which holidays it must be hung up, the fact that if you leave it out all the time it should have a spot light on it at night, NEVER let it touch the ground and never throw one away. I think you have to burn it instead of throwing it away. I'm 39 and my Dad turns 70 this year so it could be his generation that was brought up with flag etiquette and he passed it on to us. My husband and I follow all of these flag rules. We were both brought up in military homes, so maybe that's how it stuck around our families.

My daughter says the pledge of allegiance every morning at school. I too learned about the flag not touching the floor when I was a child. And if it flies at night there has to be three lights shinning on it. (It shouldn't be in the dark). These are done out of respect for our country.
I know things are not good with our government so I guess some people don't want to show respect or were never taught to.

i am about to turn 32 and i did know this! also your not suppose to toss a flag in the trash but despose of it properly. i believe its the boyscouts ??? that will burn them for you once a year. but i dont truly remember who it is.

get this! i am born and raised in texas along with my husband. for our grooms cake we told the mom and pop bakery employee we wanted a texas flag on the top. i kidd you not the young lady asked us " is that the one with all the stars". i am sure we were horrified and it took us a moment to get back in our seats. the bakery is directly across the street from a bank with two giant flags waving in her face to and from work. it still irks me! i drew it out for her! :/

yes I knew this. we have a flag that flies at our house 24/7. My kid's school starts each morning with the pledge of allegiance

I have known the rule since I was in Girl scouts.

I am not sure WHO should teach them, I would guess the Parent would likely be the one to feel the NEED to teach them.

I refused to say the Pledge after like 6th grade. I did not see the purpose in pledging my Elegance to something like a flag. I do not agree that we make our kids say it in school almost cult like.

In asking my son if they still say it, he responded with''Yes, every morning''. Not going to complain. I will allow him to make his mind up on the matter.

As for the flag touching the ground....Any flag owner needs to make a GREAT effort to respect the fact it should not touch the ground.

does it seem silly, yes, but it is a sign of respect. At the end of the day it is still a flag...But it represents everything we stand for. We need to be proud to be able to say it is ours. Cause there are alot of people who would love to be able to fly it.

It maybe a piece of cloth, but I guess there are somethings that should be left as they are...and respect directed at the flag seems fair, given that it is the only thing we have to truly show that we are American.