Americans love to fly the flag. For freedom, for liberty, for justice, for pride – the list goes on and on – it’s a symbol that we honor here in the United States. Now that summer is upon us and especially with Independence Day plans in full swing, you see more and more U.S. flags being displayed.
The flag should be displayed everyday from sunrise to sunset. Hoist the flag in the morning briskly and lower the flag in the evening ceremoniously. However, you may fly the flag 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during darkness. You may also choose to show the red, white & blue only on holidays – that’s okay too.
When displayed with other flags, the U.S. flag should always be prominent, such as at the top of the flagpole with all other flags underneath it, to its right of all other flags in a row and front and center, as with a marching band. When hung against a wall, the blue union of stars should always be in the upper left corner to the viewer.
“Resolved, that the flag of the United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field representing a new constellation.” This resolution was adopted on June 14, 1777 by the Marine Committee of the Second Continental Congress at Philadelphia and June 14 was proclaimed Flag Day in 1916 by President Woodrow Wilson. It became official in 1949 by congress but is not a federal holiday. Of course, we now have 50 stars on the flag to represent the 50 states and the 13 stripes continue to represent the original 13 colonies.
The flag requires and deserves your respect. It should be kept clean and repaired at all times. When a flag becomes unserviceable, it should be disposed of properly, preferably by burning. Many public buildings, such as the Rochester Community House, have flag disposal boxes that will accept a worn flag.
“I 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 Pledge of Allegiance received official recognition by Congress on June 22, 1942 but was first published in 1892 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America. The phrase “under God” was added in 1954.
Buy a U.S. Flag that is “Made in America” and display it with pride. More information on flag etiquette, history and customs may be found at www.annin.com and locally in Warren at www.RocketEnterprise.com
Michael Dwyer is a freelance writer and travel columnist. Michael writes about happenings in the Rochester area, travels across Michigan and destinations around the world. Contact him at Michael@RochesterMedia.com
About Michael Dwyer