http://www.news-sentinel.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20150522/LIVING/305229999/1054/LOCAL
x
x
GIVE THE SYMBOL OF OUR GOVERNMENT THE "RESPECT" IT DESERVES (congress - )
x
CONTEMPORARY COURTESIES
Etiquette column: Treat the American flag with the respect it deserves
Latest News
- Source: Local GM plant to receive billion-dollar upgrade12:01 am
- Two-EE's Winery celebrates second anniversary 12:01 am
- 'Unique' quilt caused shop owner to pull cover off mystery, revealing ties to News-Sentinel, Hall of Fame 12:01 am
- Diet Detective: Know how long to keep food for safety and optimum taste 12:01 am
- Watchfire burns in memory of veterans who are gone8:52 am
- Four new falcon chicks get their bands 5:51 am
- Living the Taiko dream 12:01 am
Friday, May 22, 2015 - 12:01 am
Editor's note: In honor of Memorial Day, Karen has tweaked her previous column on flag etiquette.
Q. Karen, would you please revisit proper American flag etiquette? I have recently replaced our tattered Old Glory, and want to respectfully dispose of it.
A. The proper and recommended way to dispose of a worn out American flag is to burn it. And in view of the summer holidays when we typically hoist our flags; Memorial Day, Flag Day, which is June 14th, July Fourth and Labor Day, here are some more guidelines on what to do and what not to do with "Old Glory," from the United States State Department website.
Also, note that on Memorial Day, the flag should be at half staff until noon only, in honor of our fallen veterans. After noon it should be raised to full staff.
The following information comes from the U.S. State Department website that lists the Federal flag code guidelines and laws:
" Public law 94-344, known as the Federal Flag Code, contains rules for handling and displaying the U.S. flag. The federal code contains no penalties for misusing the flag; states have their own flag codes and may impose penalties. The federal code makes it clear that our flag is a living symbol.
*The traditional guidelines for displaying the flag in public are from sunrise to sunset. However, it can be displayed at night if it is illuminated. The flag should not fly during weather that could cause damage to the flag, unless it is an all-weather flag.
*It should be displayed often, and especially on national holidays and special occasions.
*The flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.
*The flag may be flown at half-staff to honor a newly deceased federal or state government official by order of the president or the governor, respectively. On Memorial Day, the flag should be flown at half-staff until noon.
Some things not to do are:
*Out of respect, never dip the flag for any person or thing, even though state flags, regimental colors and other flags may be dipped as a mark of honor.
*Don't display the flag with the union down, except as a signal of distress.
*Don't let the flag touch anything beneath it, like the ground, floor or water.
*Don't carry it horizontally, but always aloft.
*Don't wear it as wearing apparel, as a costume or an athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be attached to the uniform of patriotic organizations, military personnel, police officers and firefighters.
*Don't use the flag for advertising or promotion purposes or print it on paper napkins, boxes or anything else that is for temporary use and will be discarded.
During the hoisting or lowering of the flag or when it passes in a parade, Americans should stand at attention facing the flag with their right hand over their heart. Uniformed military members offer a military salute. Men not in uniform should remove their hats and hold them with their right hand at their left shoulder, the hand resting over the heart. Non U.S. citizens should stand at attention.
When the flag is worn out or no longer fit to display, it should be destroyed with dignity, preferably by burning."
There is no better time than the start of the summer holidays to brush up on your flag etiquette. It's also a great time to teach your children and grandchildren about the do's and don'ts and how to fly and fold our flag. If you've forgotten how to do that, the internet has some very good video tutorials on folding our flag.
If you don't want to dispose of your old flag yourself, check out the VFW at www.vfw.org or the American Legion at www.legion.org in your community to see about their flag disposal ceremonies.
For more information and guidelines for displaying our flag go to:
www.senate.gov/reference/resources/pdf/RL30243.pdf
Karen Hickman is a local certified etiquette/protocol consultant and owner of Professional Courtesy. To submit questions, email features@news-sentinel.com.
x
No comments:
Post a Comment