Flag Day is today, here are tips on how to treat Old Glory

June 14 marks a couple of important events for many of us who served our nation. It’s Flag day, commemorating the 243^rd years that Old Glory has flown over this great land. Perfect land? No, but great still the same.

A resolution by the Second Continental Congress on June 14, 1777 gave us our flag. I commend the many JROTC units who teach flag history and etiquette and how to treat it with reverence and respect. It’s something I wish were taught in general history as well.

While a cadet at the University of North Georgia, back when it was simply North Georgia College, Reville would sound every morning at 6:30 while the flag was hoisted. If we were outside at that time, and chances were that as cadets, we were indeed outside at that time, we would come to attention, turn to face the flag and salute.

In the evening, at 5 p.m., the ceremony is repeated, with Retreat and To the Colors playing instead of Reville. Cars stop-or are supposed to, cell phones put away and a few seconds to honor the sacrifice is taken. The ritual so ingrained in my system that when my oldest was a civilian at North Georgia, she called me one day from her dorm room. I heard the bugle call and immediately got out of my car (I was in the driveway) and came to attention. The cannon had fired when I realized I was in Resaca, not Dahlonega.

The flag pole on campus stands in the middle of the memorial that honors those students who have died, either while at the college or in battle for this country. Sadly, I know too many names on those meticulously maintained granite stones. It is raised and lowered by cadets daily and as varied as the personalities are of cadets, they all take this time with a reverent somberness. Watch here to see the ceremony done every year during Parents-Alumni Weekend.

It is well drilled into the heads of cadets, civilians, and visitors to never cut through the Memorial or the drill field for that matter. The only reason to be in the small, circular area is to pay respect. During important weekends, like Parents-Alumi weekend, cadets gather around the Memorial in formation and Taps is played. It’s a somber ceremony

I beg you, if you fly our beautiful flag to inspect it regularly and properly dispose of it when it becomes dingy, torn, or disheveled. There is no honor flying a flag that has the stripes coming apart. I have attended several Flag Retirement Ceremonies where tattered, torn, ragged flags are correctly disposed of. It’s a poignant and beautiful ceremony.

Here is flag etiquette from www.military.com

 

When displaying the flag, DO the following:

• Display the U.S. flag from sunrise to sunset on buildings and stationary flagstaffs in the open. When a patriotic effect is desired the flag may be displayed 24-hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.
• When placed on a single staff or lanyard, place the U.S. Flag above all other flags.
• When flags are displayed in a row, the U.S. flag goes to the observer’s left. Flags of other nations are flown at same height. State and local flags are traditionally flown lower.
• When used during a marching ceremony or parade with other flags, the U.S. Flag will be to the observer’s left.
• On special days, the flag may be flown at half-staff. On Memorial Day it is flown at half-staff until noon and then raised.
• When flown at half-staff, should be first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The flag should be again raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day. By “half-staff” is meant lowering the flag to one-half the distance between the top and bottom of the staff.
• When the flag is displayed over the middle of the street, it should be suspended vertically with the union (blue field of stars) to the north in an east and west street or to the east in a north and south street.
• When placed on a podium the flag should be placed on the speaker’s right or the staging area. Other flags should be placed to the left.
• When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall (or other flat surface), the union (blue field of stars) 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 — with the union or blue field to the left of the observer in the street.
• When the flag is displayed on a car, the staff shall be fixed firmly to the chassis or clamped to the right fender.
• When the flag is used to cover a casket, it should be so placed that the union is at the head and over the left shoulder. The flag should not be lowered into the grave or allowed to touch the ground.

When saluting the flag DO the following:

• All persons present in uniform (military, police, fire, etc.) should render the military salute. Members of the armed forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute.
• All other persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, or if applicable, remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart.

When stowing or disposing of the flag, DO the following:

• Fold in the traditional triangle for stowage, never wadded up.
• The flag should be folded in its customary manner.
• It is important that the fire be fairly large and of sufficient intensity to ensure complete burning of the flag.
• Place the flag on the fire.
• The individual(s) can come to attention, salute the flag, recite the Pledge of Allegiance and have a brief period of silent reflection.
• After the flag is completely consumed, the fire should then be safely extinguished and the ashes buried.

  Photo by Eliel Thomaz on Unsplash
  Patriotic? Maybe. Wrong? Definitely. Old Glory should never be worn.

• Please make sure you are conforming to local/state fire codes or ordinances.

Quick list of Flag Etiquette Don’ts:

• Don’t dip the U.S. Flag for any person, flag, or vessel.
• Don’t let the flag touch the ground.
• Don’t fly flag upside down unless there is an emergency.
• Don’t carry the flag flat, or carry things in it.
• Don’t use the flag as clothing.
• Don’t store the flag where it can get dirty.
• Don’t use it as a cover.
• Don’t fasten it or tie it back. Always allow it to fall free.
• Don’t draw on, or otherwise mark the flag.
• Don’t use the flag for decoration. Use bunting with the blue on top, then white, thenred