Should the Flag Fly Over an Unoccupied Building?

Question: Should a yacht club closing for the virus leave their flag flying? From: JR To: flagguys <flagguys@aol.com> Sent: Fri, Apr 10, 2020 2:18 pm Subject: Flag flying over an unoccupied building Good afternoon, Our yacht club has closed during the COVID-19 pandemic. For the most part the club and grounds are unoccupied except for collection of mail, checking on the facilities and occasional office chores that need to be done (bill paying etc.). Should we continue to fly our American Flag and club burgee? It is illuminated at night. Respectfully yours, JR My Response: " Oh yes.. Now more than ever!!!!!!!! Don't strike it. People need to see it. Governors around the country are asking people to fly their flags. You are forced to retreat, but you'll be back when we win. You are yielding to help kill the invader by denying it a place to live but you are not giving up. It times of great national calamity and stress, people have always looked to our flag. Gosh, it's in the song. "......gave proof through the night, that our flag was still there. " As a club, ask yourself this question. If your flag could speak, what would she say? I think she would say "You go now. It is time for you to leave that you may survive to come another day. I'll be right here when you return. In the mean time, I am a show of force, a show of defiance and a symbol of hope" You leave her right there.. Right now, we mortals must take refuge from these monstrous microorganisms so that we can give our scientists and medical personnel time to turn this around. But your flag is invincible and is prepared to man her post. She does not need to be relieved. I am reminded of the naval battle of Valcour Island during the Revolutionary War. While not a direct comparison, what was done there is in the same vein. The Americans were forced to retreat. Some ships could not be saved and were captured along with their crews. Some ships had to be be abandoned. To prevent those from falling into the hands of British forces, Benedict Arnold, at that point still a patriot, ran vessels aground. They were then stripped and set afire with their flags still flying. I kind of like that. According to Wikipedia, "Arnold, the last to land, personally torched his flagship Congress." There is nothing in The Flag Code that speaks against flying a flag at an unoccupied building. Does this response help? Let me know what the club decides. Good luck to you all. "