Flag Etiquette & More

July 6, 2018

There was a lot of flag flying in the neighborhood this week and this made for a glorious 4th of July celebration.  Sun, flags and fireworks – a great combo.

A little late but still interesting:

Fun facts: The last star was added to the American Flag on July 4, 1960, one year after Hawaii officially became a state.

The 49-Star flag was official for only one year, from July 4th, 1959, until July 4th, 1960. President Eisenhower was the only President to serve under this flag.

SOME RULES FOR FLAG FLYING:

Guide To Flying The U.S. Flag At Home

Many holidays are designated “flag flying days,” but you can fly the flag outside only from sunrise to sunset, unless it is illuminated for night time display.

Do not fly the flag outside during inclement weather unless you use an all-weather flag.

Do not fly another flag above the U.S. flag, or if the other flag is on the same level, do not fly another flag to the right of the U.S. flag.

Fly the flag with the “union” (the blue field of white stars) at the peak of the staff (unless the flag is at half staff) when flying the flag from a staff projecting horizontally or at an angle from the window sill, balcony, or front of a building.

Fly the flag at half-staff (positioning the flag one-half the distance between the top and bottom of the staff) at times specified, often according to presidential instructions.

When flying the flag at half-staff, it 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.

Never allow the flag to touch anything beneath it, including the ground, the floor, water or other items.

Never carry the flag flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free.

Never use a flag as wearing apparel, bedding, drapery, ceiling covering or decorative element. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free.

Aged flags no longer fit for flying — like those wind whipped ones often found on personal vehicles — should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferable by safely burning it.

Now, with all these rules under your belt you are ready for more flag flying!  For more details on flag etiquette click HERE.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK:

Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.                      – Mark Twain

A VIEW FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD:

Just before sunset yesterday!