MacMillan of Rathdown--I will not even begin to agree or disagree with your ideas re the saltire and other flags. But I do wonder: isn't the saltire the flag of a nation, i.e., Scotland? I was instructed long and well on the fact that Wales, Scotlend, etc. were separate nations on my first trip to the UK, and it seems that the proper group might want to march their own country's flag. If they do, I won't be upset.

I will say that any and all flags--club, society, organizational, etc. and tartans used as flags, or even white rags used for surrender --should be dipped when passing in review and also when the national anthem is played. Only the US flag is never dipped.

One final note: last year Congress amended the--flag code, I think--to allow for all veterans to salute a passing US flag while those who had not served were to place the hand over the heart while standing. This was, I think, at the encrouragement of some veterans' groups who wanted to be a little different at parades and such. At least, that's what my reading between the lines led me to believe at the time. So, vets, let's all stand and salute when Old Glory passes at the next parade. Lord knows, most folks now days won't even take off their hats.

And, there are many of us who also stand at attention when the "Marine Hymn" is played, too, but that's another story for another day.