Posted by: Kim_Hamilton on 06/07/2009 12:04 AM
Updated by: thepinetree on 06/07/2009 09:26 AM
Expires: 01/01/2014 12:00 AM
:
Proper Flag Etiquette Letter to the Editor~by James W. Vinson Jr. of Dorrington, CA.
Dorrington, CA..."Since 9/11, it seems an increasing number of Americans are choosing to show their patriotism by displaying the flag of the United States at their home or business. On this 6th day of June, we are reminded of the 160,000 Allied troops that landed along a 50-mile stretch of heavily-fortified French coastline to fight Nazi Germany on the beaches of Normandy, France. More than 5,000 Ships and 13,000 aircraft supported the D-Day invasion, and by day’s end on June 6, 1944, the Allies gained a foot- hold in Normandy. The D-Day .....
cost was high -more than 9,000 Allied Soldiers were killed or wounded -- but more than 100,000 Soldiers began the march across Europe to defeat Hitler. Americans might fly the Stars and Stripes on this day in remembrance and honor of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of Freedom!
Other days of remembrance where our flag is commonly displayed during this time of the year are:
Memorial Day, May 25th, is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May (May 25 in 2009). Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. men and women who died while in the military service.
Flag Day, June 14th, (more formally, National Flag Day) commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States, which happened that day by resolution of the Second Continental Congress in 1777.
Independence Day, July 4th, is a national holiday marked by patriotic displays of the American flag, and decorations (e.g., streamers, balloons, and clothing), which are generally colored red, white, and blue, the colors of the American flag.
Veterans Day, November 11th, is an annual American holiday honoring military veterans. Display and placement of the American flag is done in honor and remembrance of those who served our country.
As a Viet Nam War Veteran (and the son of a WWII Veteran) I am dismayed and saddened by the way in which I see our country’s flag displayed as I travel the highways and byways of Calaveras County. Most notably are businesses that out of ignorance, simple neglect, or laziness, fail to follow or adhere to the basic rules of Flag Etiquette.
Some businesses display the flag 24 hours a day without proper lighting or consideration of inclement weather. Perhaps they wish to show us that they are patriotic, or perhaps they hope to encourage patronage of their establishment. Whatever their reason, when they fail to display our flag in the proper manor, they are showing disrespect to our Country and every American who has fought for our freedom!
In an effort to remind us all of the proper rules of flag display, I have provided some basic information below on this issue. If you are a business operator who regularly displays the Flag of the United States at your establishment, you might benefit by following these rules.
United States Code Title 4 Chapter 1 — The Flag
The laws relating to the flag of the United States of America are found in detail in the United States Code. Title 4, Chapter 1 pertains to the flag; Title 18, Chapter 33, Section 700 regards criminal penalties for flag desecration; Title 36, Chapter 3 pertains to patriotic customs and observances. These laws were supplemented by Executive Orders and Presidential Proclamations.
American Flag Etiquette
Federal law stipulates many aspects of flag etiquette. The section of law dealing with American Flag etiquette is generally referred to as the Flag Code. Of course, there are no real penalties for disregarding the Flag Code; it is all a matter of respect.
- The flag should be lighted at all times, either by sunlight or by an appropriate light source.
- The flag should be flown in fair weather, unless the flag is designed for inclement weather use.
- The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal.
- The flag should not be used for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top.
- The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard.
- The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, fireman, policeman and members of patriotic organizations.
- The flag should never have any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind placed on it, or attached to it.
- The flag should never be used for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
- When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms. To store the flag it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.
- The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary.
- When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.
Rules for Display of the American Flag - American Flag Protocol
Display Outdoors
Flown on the Same Halyard with Non-Nation Flags
The American Flag should always be at the peak. When the flags are flown from adjacent staffs, the flag of the United States should be hoisted first and lowered last. No such flag or pennant may be placed above the flag of the United States or to the right of the flag of the United States.
From a Staff Projecting Horizontally or at an Angle
The flag may be projected from the window sill, balcony, or front of a building, with the union of the flag placed at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half-staff.
With Non-National Flags
The flag of the United States of America should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags of States or localities or pennants of societies are grouped and displayed from staffs.
With Other National Flags
When flags of two or more nations are displayed, they are to be flown from separate staffs of the same height. The flags should be of approximately equal size. International usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace.
Display Indoors
From a Staff in a Church or Public Auditorium on a Podium
The flag of the United States of America should hold the position of superior prominence, in advance of the audience, and in the position of honor at the clergyman's or speaker's right as he faces the audience. Any other flag so displayed should be placed on the left of the clergyman or speaker (to the right of the audience).
From a Staff in a Church or Public Auditorium off the Podium
Custom and not the flag code hold that the flag of the United States of America should hold the position of superior prominence as part of the audience, in the position of honor at the audience's right.
Other than being Flown from a Staff
The flag should be displayed flat, whether indoors or out. When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union should be uppermost and to the flag's own right, that is, to the observer's left. When displayed in a window it should be displayed in the same way, that is, with the union or blue field to the left of the observer in the street. When festoons, rosettes or drapings are desired, bunting of blue, white and red should be used, but never the flag.
When to Fly the United States Flag
The American flag can be flown every day, but the government has designated certain days when flying the flag is especially important. It is recommended that the flag fly from sunrise to sunset during the following holidays:
- New Year’s Day
- Inauguration Day
- Martin Luther King, Jr’s Birthday
- Lincoln’s Birthday
- Washington’s Birthday
- Easter Sunday
- Mother’s Day
- Armed Forces Day
- Memorial Day
- Flag Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Patriot’s Day
- Constitution Day
- Columbus Day
- Navy Day
- Veteran’s Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
_______________________________
SOURCES:
http://www.army.mil/d-day/
http://en.wikipedia.org/
http://www.usa-flag-site.org/
http://www.ushistory.org/Betsy/flagcode.htm"
James W. Vinson Jr.
Dorrington, CA
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