Do you know how to decode the American flag? As per the Flag Code, flags are normally designed to be flown from a pole at full staff during day time and taken down during night time.
There are certain occasions that call for flying half mast American flags such as deaths of officials from executive and congressional houses of government-but it is not often that you see a flag flown upside down.
Having a flag turned upside down is not considered a sign of dishonor even though the Flag Codes specify that a flags m8ut not be turned backward in military uniform or hanging.
As per the Flag Code, a flag that is upside down is interpreted as a symbol of distress.
This is rarely seen however as considering this as a symbol of distress was used predominantly before 1900 on merchant and military ships.
In present times a flag that is turned upside down is also used as a sign of protest such as with the health care debate and not essentially for reasons of distress.
A recent example is the owner of a plant nursery in Arvada, Colorado who protested the current health care bill by turning his flag upside down so that his voice can be better heard.
However in some instances the American flags that are turned upside down can lead to misconception as recent happening near Los Angeles indicated.
A veteran had been protesting during Sundays outside the building of a VA hospital as he is against the hospital’s commercialization of the area.