No troops in Super Bowl display Star-spangled ‘bans’ on GIs
Flag on the . . . flag.
A Pentagon memo sent out two days before this month’s Super Bowl warned members of the US Armed Forces to show “proper respect” for Old Glory at sporting events — by not taking part in two pregame displays of the Stars and Stripes.
The Feb. 10 missive — sent to spokespersons for the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and National Guard by Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs Chris Meagher — specifically takes issue with the unfurling of a giant American flag to be held horizontally on the field during “The Star-Spangled Banner” as well as teams of parachutists descending onto the field with a flag in tow.
“While many, including military members, view these displays as inspiring and patriotic, uniformed service members may not participate directly in the unfurling, holding and/or carrying of giant, horizontal US flags that are displayed during community outreach events,” the memo states. “Similarly, DoD jump teams may not incorporate the US flag in their public demonstrations if the flag cannot be caught reliably and handled respectfully by ground personnel during landings.”
The US Flag Code sets specific guidelines for American flags used by federal agencies, including for proper size, display and “dignified” destruction. While some parts of the code — such as never letting a flag touch the ground — are relatively wellknown by the general public, others are more obscure.
The code indicates that “no part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform,” which may come as a surprise to Americans on Independence Day. It also prescribes that lapel pins depicting the flag must be worn on the left side of one’s chest “near the heart.”
“The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing,” the code reads.
While it’s not illegal for civilians to mishandle the flag, the DoD requires that service members “must consistently show proper respect to the US flag and uphold . . . the Flag Code.”
Despite the admonition, as recently as this past NFL season, uniformed troops participated in pregame ceremonies where the flag was technically mishandled.
In 2015, there was outrage after it was revealed that the Pentagon paid US sports leagues millions for these sorts of patriotic displays to boost military recruitment.
The outcry led to the NFL paying the government back what it was charging for the displays.
The DoD did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment on the memo.