the american flag, backwards

[matadorpoeta]

i saw the last inning of the dodgers/padres game yesterday and noticed the padres were wearing camouflage shirts meant to resemble army uniforms. i don't know why.

on their right sleeve, they wore a sew on patch of the american flag, except it was backwards. does anyone know the significance of this?

 

[mink31]

I've seen this on planes, too. Never bothered to figure out why though...

From flagpride.com:

"This flag is symbolic of the men who used to march into battle with an actual flag. So steady and strong that the flag would blow behind them. On the arms of our soldiers, the flag faces as if being carried into battle, blowing behind them."

 

[matadorpoeta]

Originally Posted by mink31

I've seen this on planes, too. Never bothered to figure out why though...

From flagpride.com:

"This flag is symbolic of the men who used to march into battle with an actual flag. So steady and strong that the flag would blow behind them. On the arms of our soldiers, the flag faces as if being carried into battle, blowing behind them."

ah. thanks. i learned something today.

 

[RyJ Maduro]

Yep, if the flag was worn on the right shoulder with the canton in it's normal position, it would appear to be retreating.

Any pictures of these Padres uniforms?

 

[onion]

oops already posted

 

[RiStar]

Interesting, didn't know that either, seen it though.

 

[Liberty Ship]

Flag code and the military make an exception to the normal field on the left rule when it comes to shoulder patches, as well as aircraft when the flag is worn on the "starboard" side. Thus they make a number of patches "backwards."