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The Flag of the United States
of America Nothing evokes
such strong emotion as seeing the flag, either a ceremony honoring a great
event or draped over a coffin as a sign of mourning for a hero or loved
one.
Its unfurled banner, which symbolizes
the love and pride that we have as a nation, is a poignant reminder of
America's greatness and our fortune to live in a country which values
freedom above all else. It signifies the commitment made by our fallen
comrades who battled bravely to defend the honor of this sacred emblem -
our American unity, our power, and our purpose as a nation, and it
exemplifies the devotion of our leaders who continue to uphold its promise
of liberty, justice and freedom for all.
Our nation reveres the flag, not out of
a sense of unquestioning worship but out of a deep sense of our national
heritage. Strengthened by our noble deeds, splendid accomplishments, and
untold sacrifices, the flag reflects America's pledge to uphold democracy
and work for peace throughout the world. It is America's strength in
honor, as dignified in the stars and stripes of the flag, which helps to
establish the moral character of our national foundation.
The flag, endearingly referred to as
"Old Glory," represents all people of America. We, the people, are
America. It is little wonder that the people of America are moved when
saluting the flag is it passes by, reminding us that we are a part of this
great land. We are "one nation under God."
With Liberty and justice for All
 Even
before the American Revolution, flags bearing the familiar red and white
stripes, which symbolize the unity of the original 13 colonies of America,
began to appear. These stripes were later combined with the British Union
Jack to produce the Continental flag that flew over George Washington's
headquarters during the siege of Boston.
Almost a year passed after the
Declaration of Independence was signed before a new flag was adopted by
the Congress. But variations in the flag were persistent, and changes
continued during much of the 19th century. The Flag Act of 1818 fixed the
number of horizontal stripes at 13, and gave the President the authority
to determine the star arrangement. The now-familiar stars and stripes were
not carried into battle by the United States Army until the Mexican War.
Finally, in 1912, an executive order
was established which defined the design of the flag, including the star
arrangement. Later, when Alaska and Hawaii entered the Union, stars
representing those states were added to the flag, adapting the traditional
horizontal arrangement.
American involvement in the
Spanish-American War, World War I, and World War II stimulated patriotic
sentiments and interest in the flag. In 1942, Congress established rules and customs concerning the flag and the Pledge of Allegiance.
The years since World War II have seen
the refinement of various laws and regulations concerning the flag. Today,
it has become an accepted part of the decoration of most public buildings
and a symbol regarded as appropriate to almost any setting where citizens gather.
Pledge to the Flag
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one
nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
After first appearing in a copy of the
Youth's Companion in 1892, as a celebration of the 400th anniversary of
the discovery of America, the pledge to the flag received the official
recognition of Congress on June 22, 1942. The phrase, "under God," was
added to the pledge by Congress on June 14, 1954, by President Dwight D.
Eisenhower, who said that "in this way we are reaffirming the
transcendence of religious faith in America's heritage and future; in this
way we shall constantly strengthen those spiritual weapons which forever
will be our country's most powerful resource in peace and war."
When rendering the pledge of
allegiance, persons should stand at attention, face the flag, and, if in
uniform, salute, or otherwise place the right hand over the heart. Persons
wearing the caps of veterans' service organizations, such as the Disabled
American Veterans, are expected to salute. Others, such as Boy or Girl Scouts in uniform,
should render respect to the flag in accordance with the traditions of the
organization whose uniform they are wearing.
Our National Anthem
The "Star Spangled Banner" has been
designated as the national anthem of the United States of America. During
the playing of the anthem when the flag is displayed, persons not in
uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with their right hand
over their heart. Those in uniform should begin saluting the flag at the
first note of the music, and hold the salute until the last note of the
anthem is played.
Again, this applies to those wearing
veterans' organizations caps or the uniforms of other patriotic
organizations.
Displaying the Flag
When displaying the flag, it is
important to remember certain guidelines of proper flag etiquette. They
are:
•
When on display or carried in a procession with
other flags, the flag should be positioned to its own right. Also, it
should be placed to the right of a speaker or staging area, while other
flags are placed to the left.
•
When the flag is displayed from a staff
projecting horizontally from a window sill, balcony, or building, the
stars of the flag should be placed at the peak of the staff unless the
flag is at half staff.
•
The flag should be at the center and at the
highest point of the group when a number of flags of states, localities,
or societies are grouped for display.
•
When the flag is displayed either
vertically or horizontally against a wall, the stars should be placed at
the top of the flag's right and the observer's left.
•
When the flag is unfurled for display across a
street, it should be hung vertically, with the stars to the north or east.
•
When the flag is flown with flags of other
nations they are to be displayed from separate staffs of the same height,
and each should be of equal size. International law forbids the display of
the flag of one nation to be flown above that of another nation during
time of peace.
•
During a time of national mourning, the flag can
be flown at half mast by order or proclamation of the President of the
United States. When flown at half mast, the flag should be hoisted to the
peak for an instant and then lowered to the half staff position. The flag
should be raised to the peak before it is lowered at the end of the day.
On Memorial Day the flag should be displayed at half mast until noon, then
raised to the top of the staff and flown until sunset. Local customs
regarding the lowering of company, city, or other flags to half mast are
directed by the executive officers of those service areas,
When
the flag is used to cover a casket, it should be placed with the stars at
the head and over the left shoulder. The flag should not be lowered into
the grave or be allowed to touch the ground.
Respect for the Flag
The Flag Code, a national guideline on
ways in which the flag is to be respected, states that no disrespect
should be shown to the flag of the United States of America. Specific
ways, in which the flag should not be used, according to the code, are:
•
The flag should not be dipped to any person or
thing, and can be flown upside down only as a distress signal.
•
The flag should never be used as wearing
apparel, bedding, or drapery. Bunting of blue, white, and red can be used
for covering a speaker's desk, draping the front of a platform, or for
decoration in general.
•
The flag should never be fastened, displayed,
used, or stored in such a way that would allow it to be easily torn,
soiled, or damaged.
•
The flag should never have any mark, insignia,
letter, work, or other designs of any kind placed upon it.
•
The flag should never be used as a receptacle
for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
•
The flag should never be used for advertising
purposes. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on
such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, paper napkins, boxes, or
anything that is designed for temporary use. Advertising signs should not
be fastened to a flag's staff or halyard.
•
No part of the flag should be used is an element
of a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be worn on the
uniform of military personnel, firemen, and members of patriotic or other
national organizations, such as the uniforms of veterans' service
organizations or Scout uniforms.
 When lowering the
flag, make certain that no part of it touches the ground. It should be
received by waiting hands and arms. To store the flag, ceremoniously fold
it length wise in half, then repeat with the blue field on the outside.
Finally, while one person holds it by the blue field, another then makes a
triangular fold in the opposite end, continuing to fold it in triangles
until only the blue shield shows.
When a flag is in such a condition that
it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, it should be destroyed in a
dignified manner, preferably by burning.
Flying Our Flag
It is proper to display the flag from
sunrise to sunset on all days the weather permits. The flag may also be
displayed at night if illuminated by a light. But it is even more
important to display the flag on national holidays and days of importance,
including:
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 (half staff until noon)
Flag Day
Father's Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Constitution Day
Columbus Day
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day
Election Days
State and Local Holidays
State Birthday
Other days the flag may be flown at
half mast may be proclaimed by the President of the United States.
This information is provided as a
public service by the:
Disabled American Veterans
National Headquarters
P.O. Box 14301
Cincinnati, Ohio 45250-0301
Flag Folding FYI
A properly proportioned flag will fold
13 times on the triangles, representing the 13 Original Colonies. When
finally complete the triangular folded flag is emblematical of the
tri-corner hat worn by the Patriots of the American Revolution. When
folded no red or white stripe is to be evident leaving only the honor
field of blue and stars.
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