Fly the flag with respect, honor

Old Glory. The Star-Spangled Banner. The American Standard. The Red, White and Blue. As we celebrate national independence this weekend, American flag displays will be almost as prominent, if not more so, than the fireworks.

FOR ALL AMERICANS

“The flag (represents) not just America, but all Americans,” said Dan Delaney, a 30-year veteran of Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, who was also a color guard member and has taught a championship youth color guard in Maryland.

The etiquette of displaying and handling the American flag, followed by military color guards around the country, is detailed and specific. The U.S. Flag Code, adopted by Congress in 1942, was at the time a response to worries that the flag was being misused and otherwise desecrated. It has been amended a couple of times but stands today as the standard for flag protocol.

SHOWING RESPECT

There are rules about almost everything pertaining to the flag: how to fold it, how to display it, how to raise the flag up a pole (“briskly”), how to lower it (“ceremoniously”), how to present the U.S. flag along with other state and country flags, when and for how long to fly it at half-staff, and much more.

The MCJROTC Color Guard team at Granbury High School has about 10 members, led by 1st Sgt. Johnny Rositas, and are learning the U.S. Flag Code. They raise and lower the colors daily at the school, and “are specifically trained to march with and post the colors,” Rositas said.

According to etiquette, fly the flag from sunrise to sunset unless it is illuminated. Do not fly the flag in severe weather unless it is an all-weather flag.

Delaney stressed the “importance of taking a flag out of service when it is worn. Almost no flags are designed to survive highway speeds and those flags look chewed up pretty fast.” He added, “the only place you should see a tattered flag is in a museum display.”

Did you know that an acceptable way to dispose of old flags is by privately burning them, unless they are made from petroleum-based fibers? Tearing the flag along the middle stripes and removing the field of blue (called “the union”), then discarding, is also acceptable.

The U.S. Flag Code also specifies that the American flag should not be embroidered or printed on bedding, used as upholstery or drapery, or as a ceiling cover.

It is disrespectful to the flag if it is used in advertisement or as a costume or uniform. “Patches are an exception to this rule,” Rositas said.

In a parade, the flag should be affixed to a staff or if hung, should be allowed to fly free, and not be draped on a vehicle or display. It should never touch the ground.

Putting the flag on items meant only for temporary use, such as cups, napkins or boxes, is disrespectful.

The flag should never be used in advertising, nor should advertisement be allowed on flagpoles.

The Flag Code dictates that, as the color guard passes, everyone should stand at attention, military in uniform salute, citizens place their right hands over their heart and men not in uniform remove their hats.

Rositas pointed out that “when the colors are presented … (all viewers) rise/stand as possible until the flag or color guard passes,” and cited the Granbury Fourth of July parade as a great example of public respect for the flag.

A LIVING SYMBOL

There have been 27 versions of the U.S. flag since June 14, 1777, the day the first 13-star flag was adopted. June 14 is commemorated now as Flag Day.

In 1795, two stars and two stripes were added for the new states of Vermont and Kentucky, creating the 15-star-and-stripe flag. In 1818, the 13 stripes were resumed, with the decision to add stars but no more stripes as the United States grew. That year, there were 20 stars.

The 31-star flag debuted in 1851. By 1867, after the Civil War, the flag had 37 stars. In 1960, with the addition of Alaska and Hawaii, the modern-day 50-star flag was unfurled and has been the nation’s living symbol ever since.

Source: nationalflagfoundation.org