T he American flag is a symbol of pride in the United States, and federal law has set up a few rules for displaying this beauty in public places. Follow these guidelines for displaying your flag on July 4th and year-round.
n Where can I display my flag?
You can display your American flag indoors or outdoors. Acceptable outdoor locations include: over the middle of the street and suspended cover a sidewalk.
Indoors, flags can be displayed from a staff in a church or public auditorium on a podium, from a staff in a church or public auditorium off the podium or covering a casket.
nHow do I display my indoor flag?
In public buildings, such as churches or courtrooms, the flag should hold the position of superior prominence, in advance of the audience, and in the position of honor at the clergyman’s or speaker’s right as he faces the audience. When covering a casket with the American flag, it should be so placed that the union is at the head and over the left shoulder. The flag should not be lowered into the grave or allowed to touch the ground.
n How do I display my outdoor flag?
If you’re displaying a flag over the middle of a street, it should be suspended vertically with the union to the north in an east and west street or to the east in a north and south street. The flag may also be suspended from a rope extending from a house to a pole at the edge of the sidewalk. It should be hoisted out, union first, from the building. You may project your flag from the window sill, balcony or front of a building if you make sure the union of the flag is placed at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half-staff.
n What is half-staff, and why do I sometimes need to set my flag in this position?
The President of the United States orders the flag to be flown at half-staff in the event of national catastrophes, memorial days or at the death of a president, former president or other important elected official. He can dictate how long the flag must be flown in this position. The flag at half-staff is a symbol of mourning. 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. By “half-staff” is meant lowering the flag to one-half the distance between the top and bottom of the staff.
n How should I get dispose of a worn flag?
When a flag is so worn it can no longer serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.
n Is there anything else I should know?
The flag should be well-lit all times, either by sunlight or by an appropriate light source.
It is to be flown in fair weather, unless the flag is designed for inclement weather use.
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.
lose attention to correctly folding the American flag 13 times. Did you ever wonder why? Sure, America started out with 13 colonies, but that’s not the reason behind the 13 folds.
First fold: The symbol of life.
Second fold: The symbol of our belief in eternal life.
Third fold: To honor and remember veterans who gave a portion of their lives in defense of our country and to keep peace throughout the world.
Fourth fold: To represent our weaker nature. As American citizens trusting in God, we turn to Him in times of peace as well as times of war for His divine guidance.
Fifth fold: A tribute to our country.
Sixth fold: Where our hearts lie. It is with our hearts that we pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States.
Seventh fold: A tribute to the Armed Forces who protect our flag and our country against enemies.
Eighth fold: A tribute to those who entered the valley of the shadow of death, that we may see the light of another day.
Ninth fold: A tribute to womanhood and mothers. It is through their love and devotion that the character of men and women who have made this country great have been molded.
Tenth fold: A tribute to fathers, for they too have given sons and daughters for the defense of our country.
Eleventh fold: Represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies in the Hebrews’ eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Twelfth fold: Represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in Christians’ eyes, God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Thirteenth fold: When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost reminding us of our nation’s motto, “In God We Trust.”
The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary.
nContact Beth Thomas at 581-7233 or bthomas@gwcommonwealth.com.
