|
|
American Legion Post 711 Lake Isabella, California 93240
|
|
Welcome to American Legion Post 711
FLAG ETIQUETTE
When to Display your Flag
New Year's Day, January 1.
Inauguration Day.
Martin Luther King's Birthday, Third Monday in January.
Lincoln's Birthday.
Washington's Birthday, February 22.
Easter Sunday.
Mother's Day, Second Sunday in May.
Armed Forces Day, Third Saturday in May.
Memorial Day (half-staff until noon), Last Monday in May.
Flag Day, June 14th.
Independence Day, July 4th.
Labor Day, First Monday in September.
Constitution Day, September 17th.
Columbus Day, October 12th.
Navy Day.
Veterans Day, November 11th.
Thanksgiving Day, Fourth Thursday in November.
Christmas Day, December 25th.
Election Days (various).
Federally observed dates of the above holidays which may be different from the actual dates.
Such days as may be proclaimed by the President of the United States.
State and Local Holidays.
WHY THE AMERICAN FLAG IS FOLDED 13 TIMES.
- The flag folding ceremony described by the Uniformed Services is a dramatic and uplifting way to honor the flag on special days, like Memorial Day or Veterans Day, and is sometimes used at retirement ceremonies.
- Here is a typical sequence of the reading:
- (Begin reading as Honor Guard or Flag Detail is coming forward).
- The flag folding ceremony represents the same religious principles on which our country was originally founded. The portion of the flag denoting honor is the canton of blue containing the stars representing the states our veterans served in uniform. The canton field of blue dresses from left to right and is inverted when draped as a pall on a casket of a veteran who has served our country in uniform.
- In the Armed Forces of the United States, at the ceremony of retreat the flag is lowered, folded in a triangle fold and kept under watch throughout the night as a tribute to our nation's honored dead. The next morning it is brought out and, at the ceremony of reveille, run aloft as a symbol of our belief in the resurrection of the body.
- (Wait for the Honor Guard or Flag Detail to unravel and fold the flag into a quarter fold--resume reading when Honor Guard is standing ready.)
-
The second fold is a
symbol of our belief in the
eternal life. -
The third fold is
made in honor and
remembrance of the veteran
departing our ranks who gave
a portion of life for the
defense of our country to
attain a peace throughout
the world.
-
The fourth fold
represents our weaker
nature, for as American
citizens trusting in God, it
is to Him we turn in times
of peace as well as in times
of war for His divine
guidance.
-
The fifth fold is a
tribute to our country, for
in the words of Stephen
Decatur, "Our country, in
dealing with other
countries, may she always be
right; but it is still our
country, right or wrong."
-
The sixth fold is
for where our hearts lie. It
is with our heart that we
pledge allegiance to the
flag of the United States of
America, and to the republic
for which it stands, one
nation, under God,
indivisible, with liberty
and justice for all.
-
The seventh fold is
a tribute to our Armed
Forces, for it is through
the Armed Forces that we
protect our country and our
flag against all her
enemies, whether they be
found within or without the
boundaries of our republic.
-
The eighth fold is a
tribute to the one who
entered in to the valley of
the shadow of death, that we
might see the light of day,
and to honor mother, for
whom it flies on mother's
day.
-
The ninth fold is a
tribute to womanhood; for it
has been through their
faith, love, loyalty and
devotion that the character
of the men and women who
have made this country great
have been molded.
-
The tenth fold is a
tribute to father, for he,
too, has given his sons and
daughters for the defense of
our country since they were
first born.
-
The eleventh fold,
in the eyes of a Hebrew
citizen, represents the
lower portion of the seal of
King David and King Solomon,
and glorifies, in their
eyes, the God of Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob.
-
The twelfth fold, in
the eyes of a Christian
citizen, represents an
emblem of eternity and
glorifies, in their eyes,
God the Father, the Son, and
Holy Ghost.
- When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, "In God we Trust."
- =======================================================================================================
- (Wait for the Honor Guard or Flag Detail to inspect the flag--after the inspection, resume reading.)
The first fold of
our flag is a symbol of
life.
As [a military] custom, the flag is lowered daily at the last note of retreat. Special care should be taken that no part of the flag touches the ground. The Flag is then carefully folded into the shape of a tri-cornered hat, emblematic of the hats worn by colonial soldiers during the war for Independence. In the folding, the red and white stripes are finally wrapped into the blue, as the light of day vanishes into the darkness of night.
How to fold the Flag
To properly fold the Flag, begin by holding it waist-high with another person so that its surface is parallel to the ground.
Fold the flag again lengthwise with the blue field on the outside.
Make a triangular fold by bringing the striped corner of the folded edge to meet the open (top) edge of the flag.
Turn the outer (end) point inward, parallel to the open edge, to form a second triangle.
The triangular folding is continued until the entire length of the flag is folded in this manner.
When the flag is completely folded, only a triangular blue field of stars should be visible.
-
After the flag is completely
folded and tucked in, it
takes on the appearance of a
cocked hat, ever reminding
us of the soldiers who
served under General George
Washington and the sailors
and marines who served under
Captain John Paul Jones who
were followed by their
comrades and shipmates in
the Armed Forces of the
United States, preserving
for us the rights,
privileges, and freedoms we
enjoy today.
1:
Can a flag
that has been used to cover a casket be
displayed after its original use?
A: There are no provisions in the Flag
Code to suggest otherwise. It would be a
fitting tribute to the memory of the
deceased veteran and their service to a
grateful nation if their casket flag
were displayed.
Return to Question List
2: Can the United States flag be displayed on days when the weather is inclement?
A: The flag should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement, except when an all weather (nylon or other non-absorbent material) flag is displayed. However, most all flags are made of all weather materials. (Ref Flag Code 6(c))
3: What is the significance of displaying the flag at half-staff?
A: This gesture is a sign to indicate the nation mourns the death of an individual(s), such as death of the President or former President, Vice President, Supreme Court Justice, member of Congress, Secretary of an executive or military department, etc. Only the President of the United States or the Governor of the State may order the flag to be half-staffed. The honor and reverence accorded this solemn act is quickly becoming eroded by those individuals and agencies that display the flag at half-staff on inappropriate occasions without proper authority to do so. (ref: Flag Code 7(m))
4:
When the flag is not flown from a staff,
how should it be displayed?
A: It should be displayed vertically,
whether indoors or out, and suspended so
that its folds fall free as though the
flag were staffed. The stripes may be
displayed either horizontally or
vertically against a wall, the union
should be uppermost and to the flag's
own right; that is, to the observer's
left. When displayed in a window of a
home or a place of business, the flag
should be displayed in the same way;
that is, with the union or blue field to
the left of the observer in the street.
(Ref
Flag Code 7(i))
Return to Question List
5: How are unserviceable flags destroyed?
A:
The Flag Code suggests that, "when a
flag has served its useful purpose, it
should be destroyed, preferably by
burning." For individual citizens, this
should be done discreetly so the act of
destruction is not perceived as a
protest or desecration. Many American
Legion Posts conduct Disposal of
Unserviceable Flag Ceremonies on June
14, Flag Day. This ceremony creates a
particularly dignified and solemn
occasion for the retirement of
unserviceable flags. (ref:
Flag Code 8(k))
Return to Question List
6: Can the flag be washed or dry-cleaned?
A: Yes. There are no provisions of the Flag Code which prohibit such care. The decision to wash or dry-clean would be dependent on the material.
7: Are you required to destroy the flag if it touches the ground?
A: Flag Code
section 176b states that the flag should
not touch anything beneath it such as
the ground. This is stated to indicate
that care should be exercised in the
handling of the flag, to protect it from
becoming soiled or damaged. You ARE NOT
required to destroy the flag when this
happens. As long as the flag remains
suitable for display, even if washing or
dry-cleaning (which is acceptable
practice) is required, you may continue
to display the flag as a symbol of our
great country. (ref:
Flag Code 8(b))
Return to Question List
8: What is the proper method for folding the flag?
A: The Flag Code does not require any specific method, however, there is a tradition that has developed over time. This method produces a triangular shaped form like that of a three corner hat with only the blue union showing. There is a diagram available on Folding the Flag that lists the steps involved.
9: May a person, other than a veteran, have their casket draped with the flag of the United States?
A: Yes, although this honor is usually reserved for veterans or highly regarded state and national figures, the Flag Code does not prohibit this use.
10: What is the significance of the gold fringe which we see on some American flags?
A: Records indicate that fringe was first used on the flag as early as 1835. It was not until 1895 it was officially added to the National flag for all regiments of the Army. For civilian use, fringe is not required as an integral part of the flag, nor can its use be said to constitute an unauthorized addition to the design prescribed by statute. It is considered that fringe is used as an honorable enrichment only.
11: What is meant by the flag's own right?
A: The "right" as the position of honor developed from the time when the "right hand" was the "weapon hand" or "point of danger." The right hand, raised without a weapon, was a sign of peace. The right hand, to any observer, is the observer's left. Therefore, as used in the Flag Code, the flag and/or blue field is displayed to the left of the observer, which is the flag's "own right." (ref: Flag Code 7(d),(i)
12: Is it proper to fly the flag of the United States at night?
A: The Flag Code states it is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flag staffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed twenty-four hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness. (ref: Flag Code 6(a)) The American Legion interprets "proper illumination" as a light specifically placed to illuminate the flag (preferred) or having a light source sufficient to illuminate the flag so it is recognizable as such by the casual observer.
13: What should be the position of the flag when displayed from a staff in a church, public auditorium or other public meeting place, whether indoors or outdoors, on platform, or on the floor at ground level?
A: When used on a speaker's platform, the flag, if displayed flat, should be displayed above and behind the speaker. When displayed from a staff in a church, public auditorium or meeting place, 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. Prior to the Flag Code changes in 1976, the display procedure was somewhat different. Now the staffed flag should always be placed to the right of the speaker (observer's left) without regard to a platform or floor level. (ref: Flag Code 7 (k))
14: What are the penalties for the physical desecration of the flag?
A:
There are currently no penalties for the
physical desecration of the flag. The
American Legion and other members of the
Citizens Flag Alliance continue
working towards securing a
Constitutional amendment to protect the
flag from physical desecration.