Is it proper to present a flag to an active-duty servicemember who is re-enlisting?

A flag may be presented to anyone.

There are many things going on here and an unfortunate misconception is involved that I have begun to see recently. It is incorrect that a flag may only be presented to military people or their families. There is not one thing in The Flag Code that even hints at that concept. I know of no published protocol that says a commemorative flag folded into a triangle and presented in a case is inappropriate for those who have not died or who are civilians. In fact, we are near West Point, and they do it all the time for civilian workers who are retiring or being transferred.

I would like to see a reference found in the several flag codes of each of the armed forces that deems such a presentation inappropriate. There is a link to the Army regulation 840 on our etiquette page. Each armed force has its own such document. I would ask the former armed forces member what his source is that deems it inappropriate. I was recently sent such a flag in a case with a certificate by some guys serving in Afghanistan right now who appreciated some things I did for them. The certificate was signed by their three star general. I am a civilian and they know it. They still presented me with a flag.

The flag is for all who love it.

Accompanying this misbelief that a flag can only be presented to a veteran is the related misbelief that a flag may only be used to drape the coffin of a veteran.

I recently heard from a fireman who said his department would not allow a flag to be used at a departmental funeral because the deceased fireman had not been a veteran. There is nothing in The Flag Code to support that restrictive decision. The letter writer was working on behalf of the poor widow who wanted the flag to drape the coffin. The bosses were telling them "you show me where it says a civilian can have a flag on his coffin. If you can not do so, then he can not have a flag." That was wrong.

In fact, the flag code specifically instructs us how to do so:

TITLE 4 > CHAPTER 1 > § 7 § 7. Position and manner of display (n) When the flag is used to cover a casket, it should be so placed that the union is at the head and over the left shoulder. The flag should not be lowered into the grave or allowed to touch the ground.

BUT HEY AL, THERE IS NOTHING THERE THAT SAYS CIVILIANS MAY BE GIVEN THAT HONOR!!!

Oh yes there is. the very presence of the practice showing us how to do it is proof that the practice is proper for civilians because The Flag Code IS, for civilians . REPEAT: Everything in the Flag Code is to guide civilians on proper flag display and protocol. Don't believe me? Well then, believe The Flag Code. It tells you so at the very beginning. Just read it.

>>TITLE 4 > CHAPTER 1 > § 5 § 5. Display and use of flag by civilians; codification of rules and customs; definition The following codification of existing rules and customs pertaining to the display and use of the flag of the United States of America is established for the use of such civilians or civilian groups or organizations as may not be required to conform with regulations promulgated by one or more executive departments of the Government of the United States.<<</p>

The armed forces each has their own flag regulations. These incorporate The Flag Code and then go into way more detail. If you are in the Army, you do it Army way. If you work for the Department of Defense or The State Department, your department surely has lots of its own flag regulations.

If you are a civilian, then the flag code was written with you in mind because you have no "regulations promulgated by one or more executive departments of the Government of the United States" with which to comply!

However, I can not speak to the other component of your situation regarding the flag being presented during a town meeting or being placed at the absent board member's seat until he returns. Those matters become more of a discussion of politics, personalities, decorum and even parliamentary procedure. Those issues are for wiser minds than mine and are, as they say, "above my pay grade." The Flag Code is silent on these two situations.