Respecting the Flag: An 8-Part Series on American Flag Traditions

Respecting the Flag:

An 8-Part Series on American Flag Traditions

By Kevin Laughrin  •  Medically Retired LSSN, VFA-103 “The Jolly Rogers”  •  August 2026

The reverse-oriented American flag patch worn on the right shoulder — a tradition of moving forward, never retreating.

Hey there, it’s Kevin again.

If you’ve followed along with Veteran Valor Coffee for any length of time, you know we don’t just talk about coffee. We talk about the things that matter to those of us who wore the uniform — the traditions, the respect, and the small details that a lot of people never get taught anymore.

One of those details is the American flag itself.

Most of us grew up seeing it every day. We stood for it in school, we saluted it in formation, and we watched it get folded at funerals. But over time, a lot of the meaning and the proper way of handling it has quietly slipped away from common knowledge. What used to be taught as basic respect has become something people argue about online or simply get wrong without realizing it.

That’s why I’m starting a short series here on the site.

We’re going to walk through the flag — not in a dry, textbook way, but in a way that actually makes sense to those of us who still care. We’ll cover the things that still cause confusion, the traditions that still matter, and a few stories from my own experience (and my dad’s) along the way.

Here’s what we’re going to dig into:

•       Why the flag on the right shoulder (and on police cars, jerseys, and patches) looks “backwards” — and why that reverse orientation is actually correct

•       How the reverse flag tradition started and what it was meant to represent

•       Proper flag folding and the meaning behind the 13 folds

•       Half-staff rules: who can order it, for how long, and the mistakes we see all the time

•       The difference between the Flag Code and actual law (spoiler: a lot of people get this one wrong)

•       Wearing the flag on civilian clothes, athletic jerseys, and patches — what’s respectful and what crosses the line

•       How other countries handle similar flag traditions (including a few that surprised us)

•       Stories from other veterans about seeing the flag done right… and done wrong

A properly folded American flag — the 13 folds carry specific meaning and respect.

This isn’t about policing every flag you see. It’s about understanding the meaning behind the one we all claim to respect. Because once you know why something is done a certain way, it’s a lot harder to shrug it off as “just a flag.”

Part 1 is already up and covers the reverse flag on the shoulder. The rest will follow as we go.

If you’ve ever looked at a flag on a uniform or a jersey and thought, “That doesn’t look right,” or if you’ve ever wondered what the real rules actually are, stick around. We’re going to clear a lot of it up together.

Thanks for being here.

Kevin Laughrin

kevin@veteranvalorcoffee.com

Marketing & Communications Director

Medically Retired Logistics Specialist Seaman (LSSN)

VFA-103 “The Jolly Rogers”

Kevin is part of the Veteran Valor Coffee team, helping share the stories, traditions, and values that matter to those who served. He writes from the deckplates with the same standard of respect he learned in uniform.

F/A-18F Super Hornet of VFA-103 “The Jolly Rogers”