American flags on overpasses?

[Judge Smails]

Is this a national phenomenon or just a northeast thing? These things started appearing right after 9/11 and I would have thought that they would have gone out of vogue by now, just like flags on houses and cars disappeared a long time ago. However, they seem to be going strong, at least here in New Jersey where an overpass without a flag seems to be more of the exception than the rule. Plus, the whole concept is stupid. Why would we have to adorn every overpass with American flags? What is that proving?

I was recently driving on I-287 here in NJ and noticed that every single overpass had at least 2 flags on it (one facing each direction of traffic). Some had multiple flags all over them. You figure that you average an overpass every two miles and I was on that road for over 40 miles and that's quite a few flags. But that goes for practically every major highway in the state. What goes on in your neck of the woods?

The reason I ask is because I'm wondering who's putting up all these flags? Is it the state DOT? The local municipalities? Or some other group? These flags are in decent condition so they have to have been replaced on a regular basis. It's not like they've been out there since 9/11. Someone in the flag industry seems to have been making a killing since 2001.

[ANC]

I see 'em all over NY/NJ.

[Marc with a c]

you wrote 'flag or flags' ten times in your post.

[disneyspy]

israili flags on passovers

[ANC]

israili flags on passovers

That made me chuckle.... :lol:

[Judge Smails]

you wrote 'flag or flags' ten times in your post.

Hot water burn baby!

[Enabler]

I still see them all over NJ. I feel like they used to be accompanied by more homemade banners saying "Welcome Home Staff Sgt. So and So..." but I dont notice the banners as much anymore.

[TripleSkeet]

I live in South Jersey and havent seen one flag on an overpass.

[EliSnow]

I still see them all over NJ. I feel like they used to be accompanied by more homemade banners saying "Welcome Home Staff Sgt. So and So..." but I dont notice the banners as much anymore.

I saw the same types of things. I think that the above is often the reason for the flags, and since we have ongoing military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, that's why you still see the flags.

[led37zep]

Is this a national phenomenon or just a northeast thing? These things started appearing right after 9/11 and I would have thought that they would have gone out of vogue by now, just like flags on houses and cars disappeared a long time ago. However, they seem to be going strong, at least here in New Jersey where an overpass without a flag seems to be more of the exception than the rule. Plus, the whole concept is stupid. Why would we have to adorn every overpass with American flags? What is that proving?


What about this concept do you find to be stupid?

[Judge Smails]

What about this concept do you find to be stupid?

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1041/670868592_dc94902af4.jpg?v=0

Here's my exit on The Garden State Parkway. Seems as though someone has claimed Exit 105 in the name of the United States of America. Am I supposed to feel patriotic? That is one fine looking overpass. God Bless our men and women in uniform protecting my right to enjoy the Eatontown overpass. I don't know, maybe it's just me but an overpass doesn't strike me as the proper place for a flag.

Also, aren't you supposed to take them in at dusk? It doesn't seem right to leave them out 24/7 in the elements to become wet, tattered and torn and splashed with salt and smudged with exhaust.

[Enabler]

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1041/670868592_dc94902af4.jpg?v=0

Here's my exit on The Garden State Parkway. Seems as though someone has claimed Exit 105 in the name of the United States of America. Am I supposed to feel patriotic? That is one fine looking overpass. God Bless our men and women in uniform protecting my right to enjoy the Eatontown overpass. I don't know, maybe it's just me but an overpass doesn't strike me as the proper place for a flag.

Also, aren't you supposed to take them in at dusk? It doesn't seem right to leave them out 24/7 in the elements to become wet, tattered and torn and splashed with salt and smudged with exhaust.


You just hate us for our freedom.

[sailor]

never seen one.

[west milly Tom]

I live in South Jersey and havent seen one flag on an overpass.



Check out rt 35 then, belmar.

[Thebazile78]

Check out rt 35 then, belmar.

Belmar's not South Jersey.

[MC Pee Pants]

I drive 287 all day & i wondered the same thing. Its really more of a disgrace when they get all ragged and torn, at that point someone is supposed to eaither burn or bury the flag. In Puerto Rico they have gigantic American and Puerto Rican flags on most overpasses. Plus each town has it's own seal so they get a flag. They're flag crazy there.

[led37zep]

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1041/670868592_dc94902af4.jpg?v=0

Here's my exit on The Garden State Parkway. Seems as though someone has claimed Exit 105 in the name of the United States of America. Am I supposed to feel patriotic? That is one fine looking overpass. God Bless our men and women in uniform protecting my right to enjoy the Eatontown overpass. I don't know, maybe it's just me but an overpass doesn't strike me as the proper place for a flag.

Also, aren't you supposed to take them in at dusk? It doesn't seem right to leave them out 24/7 in the elements to become wet, tattered and torn and splashed with salt and smudged with exhaust.

So is your point that an overpass isn't a fitting location to display a flag or that New Jersey isn't following proper flag etiquette?
You're starting to sound like the communist blowhard. :tongue:

[boosterp]

What about the concept of flag flying puzzles you? There is a way to take down a flag and care for it after it has reached the end of it's service. And in the military and some government buildings, yes a Garrison flag does come down and go back up at specific times.

I am proud of our flag and would love to see more fly.

[Heather 8]

Belmar's not South Jersey.

Forget it, we're fighting a losing battle.

[Thebazile78]

Forget it, we're fighting a losing battle.

I managed to get my dad to relent after a year at Rutgers. Before that, anything south of Newark was "South Jersey" to him.

[TripleSkeet]

Belmar's not South Jersey.

Thank you for saving me the time.

[Judge Smails]

What about the concept of flag flying puzzles you? There is a way to take down a flag and care for it after it has reached the end of it's service. And in the military and some government buildings, yes a Garrison flag does come down and go back up at specific times.

I am proud of our flag and would love to see more fly.

Yep, you've got my number. I must hate America and the troops because I believe that there should be certain places where we can properly display and revere the flag and I don't fall into some flag jingoism that says we should plaster a flag on every available flat surface we can find: overpasses, port-o-potties, garbage trucks et. al.

Oh, just to stay in character I guess I'll post this:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/167/428346177_e65f6d5056.jpg

[KingModem]

I have seen them in Minneapolis/St Paul in three instances:
1. 9/11 for a couple months
2. After the bridge collapse
3. On Election Day

I assume they will be out on innaug day as well.

[led37zep]

NSFW (http://myspace.drewpydraws.com/makethumbjpg.php?filename=America20Beautiful.jpg)

shameful.

[Judge Smails]

I have seen them in Minneapolis/St Paul in three instances:
1. 9/11 for a couple months
2. After the bridge collapse
3. On Election Day

I assume they will be out on innaug day as well.


Now here's a perfect example of where I don't understand the logic behind the act. Were only American citizens killed or are they the only ones that we would honor? Are we showing our pride in American engineering and ingenuity that would allow a major bridge collapse? Maybe we're proud of our American shortsightedness that makes us ignore funding the upkeep of our infrastructure until a tragedy happens. It's just out of whack to just slap a flag on something and ignore the real issue. It's not "honoring the flag" - it's using it as a smokescreen to prevent us from dealing with the real issues affecting us.

[boosterp]

Yep, you've got my number. I must hate America and the troops because I believe that there should be certain places where we can properly display and revere the flag and I don't fall into some flag jingoism that says we should plaster a flag on every available flat surface we can find: overpasses, port-o-potties, garbage trucks et. al.

Oh, just to stay in character I guess I'll post this:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/167/428346177_e65f6d5056.jpg

This is a totally ignorant reply to what should be a logical discussion.

[Contra]

I think it is honoring the dead, as far as the bridge collapse, 911, and the on going war. Its a sign of respect. Its how we as a people can unite to honor, with a universal gesture. Its a signal, so when you pass that flag on the overpass and you've lost someone in a bridge collapse, or the war (or have a loved one serving), or on 911, you know that as a country we stand with you in your grief or worry. I have the feeling that patriotic societies, with permits from either state or local municipalities put up and maintain these flags. Being on highways, in theory I would think, has the potential of reaching the most people with this message, thus the use of overpasses.

My question to you JS is when, where, and for what reasons do you believe a flag should be flown? Give some examples please. Should we keep them in a box in the basement, never to be flown at any time for any reason whatsoever? I'm not shitting on you, I actually think this is a good discussion.

[TooLowBrow]

less american flags


more american flag bunting
http://z.about.com/d/poolandpatio/1/0/O/4/-/-/julybunt.jpg

[Freitag]

I managed to get my dad to relent after a year at Rutgers. Before that, anything south of Newark was "South Jersey" to him.

Does your dad know Stugots?

[dino_electropolis]

I notice them all over jersey, and i dont mind them one bit.


Nothing wrong with displayin a flag.....until they take that liberty away too.

[Thebazile78]

Does your dad know Stugots?

*sigh*

[ralphbxny]

I drive 287 all day & i wondered the same thing. Its really more of a disgrace when they get all ragged and torn, at that point someone is supposed to eaither burn or bury the flag. In Puerto Rico they have gigantic American and Puerto Rican flags on most overpasses. Plus each town has it's own seal so they get a flag. They're flag crazy there.


Puerto Ricans love flags and will hang them or fly them from anywhere.

http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w166/ralphbxny/Puerto-Rican-Festival.jpg

[led37zep]

I notice them all over jersey, and i dont mind them one bit.


Nothing wrong with displayin a flag.....until they take that liberty away too.

Just a story to keep it interesting.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article/article?f=/c/a/2002/01/30/MN47011.DTL

[sailor]

This is a totally ignorant reply to what should be a logical discussion.

he's just the outrageous statements guy. Look at him!

[eeroomnhoj]

It is purely a NY/NJ thing. We are originally from New York and drive from Virginia several times a year to visit. The kids kow they are close to our destination when they start seeing flags hanging from the overpasses.


Is this a national phenomenon or just a northeast thing? These things started appearing right after 9/11 and I would have thought that they would have gone out of vogue by now, just like flags on houses and cars disappeared a long time ago. However, they seem to be going strong, at least here in New Jersey where an overpass without a flag seems to be more of the exception than the rule. Plus, the whole concept is stupid. Why would we have to adorn every overpass with American flags? What is that proving?

I was recently driving on I-287 here in NJ and noticed that every single overpass had at least 2 flags on it (one facing each direction of traffic). Some had multiple flags all over them. You figure that you average an overpass every two miles and I was on that road for over 40 miles and that's quite a few flags. But that goes for practically every major highway in the state. What goes on in your neck of the woods?

The reason I ask is because I'm wondering who's putting up all these flags? Is it the state DOT? The local municipalities? Or some other group? These flags are in decent condition so they have to have been replaced on a regular basis. It's not like they've been out there since 9/11. Someone in the flag industry seems to have been making a killing since 2001.

[meanmrbill]

Yep, you've got my number. I must hate America and the troops because I believe that there should be certain places where we can properly display and revere the flag and I don't fall into some flag jingoism that says we should plaster a flag on every available flat surface we can find: overpasses, port-o-potties, garbage trucks et. al.

Oh, just to stay in character I guess I'll post this:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/167/428346177_e65f6d5056.jpg

This is a totally ignorant reply to what should be a logical discussion.

I don't find this reply to be ignorant at all. I see it as a totally logical response to the arbitrary display of the flag. After 9/11 it was everywhere and in many forms to the point where, after some time, its message became diminished. Eventually it became a litmus test of one's patriotism where some who display a flag, even in the bumper-sticker form, somehow thought they were actually doing something patriotic. There is more to supporting the troops and being patriotic than displaying a flag, its just too easy.

[underdog]

Nothing wrong with displayin a flag.....until they take that liberty away too.

I don't even know why I'm asking, but my curiosity has the best of me; Who is going to take that liberty away?

[underdog]

It is purely a NY/NJ thing. We are originally from New York and drive from Virginia several times a year to visit. The kids kow they are close to our destination when they start seeing flags hanging from the overpasses.

They're all over Massachusetts, too.

[Lady Resin]

I love them. I'll never forget about 3-4 weeks after 9/11. I lost 3 family members and a our neighbor. I was so depressed my husband needed to take me out of the house. We were driving on the GSP and saw the flags. So many emotions came over me. I cried again to know so many people cared. I still get the same emotion when I see them.

[keithy_19]

I love it.

[TheMojoPin]

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[A.J.]

In the words of David Puddy, "Gotta support the team!"

http://whatwouldtotowatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/team-america.jpg