Flag Day – Showing Our Colors

Red, White and Blue. The colors of the United States flag. The flag flies at every government building, to include post offices. It flies at many private businesses. And, on Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Veterans Day, you will see the flag displayed at numerous households. Americans are very proud of their flag, the universal symbol of our great nation.

Unfortunately, many proud Americans do not know the proper etiquette when flying the flag. Displaying a flag when torn, at night without a spot light, or hanging in the wrong direction, is actually disrespectful to our flag – the opposite of the intent of the person displaying it.

Federal law stipulates many aspects of flag etiquette, to include:

• The flag should be lighted at all times, either by sunlight or by an appropriate light source.
• The flag should be flown in fair weather, unless the flag is designed for inclement weather use.
• The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal.
• The flag should not be used 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 the top.
• The flag should never 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 part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, fireman, policeman and members of patriotic organizations.
• The flag should never have any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind placed on it, or attached to it.
• The flag should never be used for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
• When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms. To store the flag it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.
• The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary.
• When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.

The above information is found at: http://www.usa-flag-site.org/etiquette.shtml.

When a flag must be disposed of, there are proper procedures for this as well. 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.
• Please make sure you are conforming to local/state fire codes or ordinances. For assistance is proper disposal of the flag, you may contact your local VFW Post. For more information, go to: http://www.vfw.org/Community/Flag-Education/

Now that you know, make sure that when you proudly fly the United States Flag, that you do it within the Flag Code, showing all due respect. June 14th is Flag Day, the perfect day to show your colors!

Victoria L. Collier, Certified Elder Law Attorney, Fellow of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Co-Founder, Lawyers with Purpose, LLC, Veteran of the U.S.A.F. and author of 47 Secret Veterans’ Benefits for Seniors…Benefits You Have Earned but Don’t Know About.