Article taken from the June 12, 2010 edition of Tribstar.comTERRE HAUTE — Monday (June 14 of every year) is Flag Day and there’s no better time to learn your flag etiquette. Learn when, where and how to display the United States Flag. Learn how to care for the U.S. Flag, including what the U.S. Flag Code says about flag retirement.
The flag may be displayed every day. However, it is particularly appropriate to display the flag on what days?
Flag etiquette
The U.S Flag Code was finalized in 1924 and distributed to millions of Americans by various patriotic organizations. Congress adopted the Code in June of 1942 and has amended it several times since then. The Code as it relates to the flag is advisory only and has no penalties attached to it at this time.
Display
• Always display the flag with the blue union field up — never display the flag upside down, except as a signal of extreme distress.
• Always carry the flag aloft and free.
• When several flags are flown from the same flag pole, no other flag should be placed above the U.S. Flag with three exceptions. One is for church services conducted by naval chaplains at sea; the second is at the United Nations Headquarters where the United Nations Flag may be flown above flags of all nations; third is a tradition that the flags of other nations may fly above the U.S. Flag during award ceremonies at the Olympic Games.
• When national flags of other countries are flown in a group setting, each flag must be displayed from a separate pole of the same height.
• Each flag should be the same size or nearly so. They should be raised and lowered simultaneously because the flag of one nation may not be displayed above that of another nation.
• When flown with flags of states, communities, or societies on separate and adjacent flagpoles that are of the same height and in a straight line, the Flag of the United States is always placed in the position of honor — to its own right.
• Flag on the ship’s mast — flags of sovereign nations should not be flown on the same pole as the United States Flag but from separate poles.
• If displayed at night, the flag must be properly illuminated. Proper illumination means that the stars and stripes can be seen readily from a reasonable distance.
• The flag should be raised briskly and lowered slowly and ceremoniously.
Care
• Always keep the flag clean.
• The flag may be mended when torn and cleaned when dirty. If mended it should not be hemmed (shortened) to the point where its measurements are no longer in proportion.
• “The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem of display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.” (The U.S. Flag Code)
Fly the Flag
The flag may be displayed every day. However, it is particularly appropriate to display the flag on the following days:
• New Year’s Day — Jan. 1
• Martin Luther King Day — Third Monday in January
• Inauguration Day — Jan. 20
• Lincoln’s Birthday — Feb. 12
• Washington’s Birthday — Third Monday in February
• Easter Sunday (date is variable)
• Mother’s Day — Second Sunday in May
• Peace Officers Memorial Day (half-staff) — May 15
• Armed Forces Day — Third Saturday in May
• Memorial Day (half—staff until noon) — Last Monday in May
• Flag Day — June 14
• Father’s Day — Third Sunday in June
• Independence Day — July 4
• National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day — July 27 (added Jan. 6, 2009)
• Labor Day — First Monday in September
• Patriot Day (half—staff) Sept. 11
• Constitution Day — Sept. 17
• Gold Star Mothers Day — Last Sunday in September
• Firefighters Memorial Day (half-staff) — Sunday before or on Oct. 9
• Columbus Day — Second Monday in October
• Navy Day — Oct. 27
• Election Day — First Tuesday in November
• Veterans Day — Nov. 11
• Thanksgiving Day — Fourth Thursday in November
• Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (half-staff) — Dec. 7
• Christmas Day — Dec. 25
• State Birthdays (and other days as may be proclaimed by the president of the United States.)
NOTE: The flag should be displayed daily on or near the main administration building of every public institution.
SOURCE: National Flag Foundation
With 4th of July right around the corner, I anticipate the traditions that come with the holiday: flag hanging, BBQing, family gatherings and the fireworks. This year when I look up at the sky at the beautiful fireworks, as I sit surrounded by my family and those I love so dearly, I will take a moment to really thank our military. To thank those men and women who have fought and fight for our freedom everyday. Thank You.
