PHOTOS: CET from 3/18

[WayneNYC]

The flag isn't backwards.  Here is an explanation that can be applied to transit vehicles:

Why do American soldiers wear the U.S. flag insignia "backwards"  on the right shoulder of their utility uniforms, with the canton (the rectangle with the stars) on the observer's right? It's a question that soldiers hear frequently as they travel through civilian airports or talk to members of other services. And it does look "wrong"  because U.S. federal code calls for the canton always to be positioned to the left.

The soldiers aren't wrong, however, and neither are their tailors. The Army has two authorized flag patches, one to be worn on the left shoulder, with the canton facing left, and another "reverse field"  patch worn on the right shoulder, with the canton facing right. The two different orientations are mandated because Army regulations call for the flag "to be
worn so that to observers, it looks as if the flag is flying against a breeze."

What does a stiff wind have to do with this custom? The rule is a nod to the U.S. Army's early history, when wars were fought as a series of carefully choreographed battles, with two armies meeting on a field, clashing head-on until one side emerged victorious. In those battles, infantry and mounted cavalry units would always designate one soldier as "standard bearer"  to carry the colors into the fight. As the standard bearer charged, his rapid forward movement would cause the flag to stream back. And since the Stars and Stripes is mounted with the canton next to the pole, that section would always be forward.

So if a soldier were charging into battle, the flag would give the appearance of forward motion. When worn on the right shoulder, the flag only appears to be backwards. And that's why soldiers wear the flag patches on the right shoulder backwards. Because retreat in battle, as any soldier will tell you, is not the Army way.

This isn't the best photo, but if you look at how the flag is positioned on NYC Transit buses, you'll notice it also appears to be "backwards" on the right side of the vehicle:

Agreed.  In NYC, NYCT/MTAB has a "right side" and "left side" flag on their buses.  I think WMATA does the same.




...and of course you can spot the occasional bus with a left side flag on the right side and vice-versa.

[OrionFlyer]

Who's going to do the S9? Northern or Bladensburg?

I don't remember seeing anything about Northern getting new 40ft buses, only 60fts.

That's a good question. wmata employee said that WMATA was going to give Northern some new buses but I'm not sure. Maybe Montgomery if Northern can't do it.

I don't think Montgomery can do it. Too far away. After just looking at this, http://wmata.com/about_metro/board_of_directors/board_docs/031308_C.BusProcurement.pdf., its a possibility that Northern will do the S9, since they're getting 30 40ft BRTs. And according to the WMATA site, the buses that will be on that line are going to be Express branded Hybrid BRT Buses. Also, according to that document, Bladensburg is just getting 5 37ft BRTs. Doesn't look like Bladensburg is going to do it since they're not getting 40ft Hybrids. Looks like my theory about Bladensburg doing the S9 is down the drain.

[BladensburgB2]

Hey Northern garage is doing the #S9 route  and far as Mongt they are suppose to be doing a part of the #70 along with Northern garage because of the fact they are getting the #S9 so they will need a lil help with the #70

[wmata employee]

Montgomery is not doing the 70 line Northern has 177 buses , Montgomery will continue to do peaks only like (2 blocks).

Hey Northern garage is doing the #S9 route  and far as Mongt they are suppose to be doing a part of the #70 along with Northern garage because of the fact they are getting the #S9 so they will need a lil help with the #70

[BladensburgB2]

ooookkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk thats still helping out sirrrrrrrrrrrr

[NewFlyer9736BCT]

ooookkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk thats still helping out sirrrrrrrrrrrr

yeah but Montgomery has always been helping out Northern with some S and 70 runs...so wmataemployee stated that Northern will not receive extra help from Montgomery than it has now.

[LandoverDivision]

It would be good for WMATA to get some Xcelsiors. The "flaps" on those buses actually make it easier to maintenence the bus. Maybe it's also cheaper. We'll see.