Do You Know These Flag Facts?

The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing.” That's a statement in the U.S Flag Code signed by President Franklin Roosevelt on June 22, 1942. It refers as well to flags that have fewer than fifty stars; they may be displayed with the same ceremony and reverence. Here are some additional flag practices that may not be widely known.

*The American flag should be illuminated for display at night, otherwise it is to be raised briskly at sunrise and lowered ceremoniously at sunset.

*The flag should fly at public schools in session, at every public institution and in or near polling places.

*The blue part of the flag - where the stars are - is called the Union. When the flag is displayed from a building, the Union should be at the peak of the flag’s staff. When displayed along city streets, the Union should face north on east-to-west avenues and east on north-to-south thoroughfares.

*To properly display a flag on a parade float it should be hung from a staff, not draped over a vehicle. To display one on a vehicle, its pole should be attached to the right front fender. It should be flying and free, not carried horizontal or flat as is sometimes seen on sports fields.

*Nothing should be printed or embroidered on the flag and it should not be printed on boxes or used as advertisement or wrapping. Even if not picturing an entire flag, a depiction which makes one think of the flag is considered inappropriate by many, as on swimwear, tablecloths, paper plates and napkins, wrapping paper, etc.

*It is not appropriate to use the flag as clothing, bedding, curtains or ceiling coverings or used on costumes or athletic attire. Flag patches can be used on military uniforms and those of firemen, policemen and patriotic organizations.

*If an all-weather flag is used, it does not need to be taken down for inclement weather.

*Not all flags that touch the ground have to be destroyed. If it happens, pick it up as soon as possible, clean it if it was soiled and display it again when dry. Flags that are worn, tattered, faded or stained should be destroyed in a dignified way by burial or burning. Such flags can be taken to the local VFW Post.

*Other names for the flag include ‘Colors’ when carried by foot, “Ensign’ when on a vessel, and “Standard’ when displayed on a car or airplane.

*The salute to the flag that accompanies the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance changed from a military salute and an outstretched right arm, palm up when ‘to the Flag’ was spoken, to hand over heart and arm outstretched palm down at the utterance of ‘to the Flag.’ During World War II it changed to just right hand over the heart for the entire Pledge.

The Flag Code indicates our flag can be displayed every day, but especially on certain holidays including Flag Day - June 14. Let us fly it proudly!