Answer to Black Watch spat question?

[macwilkin]

Oh for sure, I know about the Gordon's black buttons, black line in gold lace, and black line in the gold officer's epaulettes.

But people have an unfortunate tendency to seek hidden meanings and bogus traditions in everything.

Good point; witness the relatively recent trend of the symbolism of folding a US flag, which has no basis in history. We used to hear that all the time at the historic site where I worked; our Chief Ranger, who was an Indian Wars "buff", had researched the topic and found that before the 1930s, the flag was simply folded and placed on a shelf in the post armory...

The Kirkin' of the Tartans legend also comes to mind.

T.

[Bugbear]

Good point; witness the relatively recent trend of the symbolism of folding a US flag, which has no basis in history. We used to hear that all the time at the historic site where I worked; our Chief Ranger, who was an Indian Wars "buff", had researched the topic and found that before the 1930s, the flag was simply folded and placed on a shelf in the post armory...

The Kirkin' of the Tartans legend also comes to mind.

T.

Here's the snopes.com take on the flag folding myth:
http://www.snopes.com/military/flagfold.asp

I'll admit that I either did not remember or did not know of any of these "meanings" of the folds.

Is there a typical reaction to the debunking of these types of myths, Cajunscot?

[macwilkin]

Here's the snopes.com take on the flag folding myth:
http://www.snopes.com/military/flagfold.asp

I'll admit that I either did not remember or did not know of any of these "meanings" of the folds.

Is there a typical reaction to the debunking of these types of myths, Cajunscot?

Whenever I was asked about it, I generally took the approach of the Snopes article and the statements by the USAF; there's nothing wrong (obviously) with these sorts of ceremonies and symbolism, but they do not originate from the US Flag Code. It's a fine line to walk, because obviously these sorts of things invoke very strong feelings -- the key is to diplomatically debunk the myths, and know when not to say anything at all.

T.