Treat Old Glory with Respect
Having just attended the American Legion's Fourth District Flag Education Session, I can no longer keep quiet about a problem that has been on my mind. The United States Flag is not a decoration and should not be treated as such. Flying our flag shows our pride and respect for our country.
This is the time of year that we start to decorate the outside of our homes to welcome friends and guests. We need to remember that the flag should not be a part of this decoration; it should only be flown in a proper manner. This is a good time of year to review proper flag etiquette for all of us.
The flag is more than just a colorful piece of fabric. It's what drapes over the coffin of our grandparents, parents, spouses and child's coffin after he or she has honorably served their country. It represents freedom.
The Flag Code formalizes and unifies the way in which we give respect to the flag. It also contains specific instructions on how the flag is not to be used.
They are:
— The flag never should be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal.
— The flag should not be used as a drapery, or for covering a speaker's desk, draping a platform or 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 top.)
— The flag never should 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 a part of a costume or athletic uniform of military personnel, fireman, policeman, and members of patriotic organizations.
— The flag never should have placed on it, or attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind.
— The flag never should be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
There also are specific instructions as to how the flag should be handled and flown. If you have Internet access you may go to the U.S. Flag site (http://www.usflag.org/flagetiquette.html) to review the standards of respect to be shown our flag.
Please remember the important dates to fly your flag: May 19, Armed Forces Day; May 29, Memorial Day (flags should be flown half-staff until noon); June 14, Flag Day; and July 4, Independence Day.
As our nation honors our service members, it is important to remind each other about what the U.S. Flag represents: the men and women who gave and are still giving their lives for our freedom. Let's fly our flags as they are meant to be flown and remember they are not to be made a part of our yard art.
— Myrna Wood, President, Peabody American Legion Auxiliary Fourth District Sergeant-At-Arms
