Respect Your Flag
Time -
- Fly your flag from sunrise to sunset, especially on national and state holidays, as well as days proclaimed by the President.
- On Memorial Day, fly the U.S. flag at half-staff until noon.
- If illuminated during darkness, fly your flag 24 hours a day.
- Public gathering places should display the flag daily.
Handling -
- Hoist the flag briskly.
- Lower it ceremoniously.
Display -
- When shown with other flags, the U.S. flag should receive the position of honor (the US flag's right; the viewers left).
- When shown with two or more nations' flags, all flags should be of equal size and flown from separate, same-height staffs.
- International usage forbids displaying one nation's flag above another's in time of peace.
- When flown from a staff in a church or public auditorium, the U.S. flag should be in the position of honor (the speaker's right; the audience's left).
- Any other flag should be to the left.
- When flat against a wall, the U.S. flag should be placed above and behind the speaker.
- If horizontal or vertical, the union of the flag should be in the upper left hand corner as the audience faces the flag.
- When shown with other flags from states, localities, or pennants of societies, the U.S. flag should be the highest and in the center.
Some call me Old Glory, others call me the Star Spangled Banner, but whatever they call me, I am your Flag - the Flag of the United States of America...There has been something that has been bothering me, so I thought that I might talk it over with you here today.
I remember some time ago, (I think it was Memorial Day, or was it Veterans' Day?) that people were lined up on both sides of the street for a parade. A high school band was behind me and, naturally, I was leading the parade. When your Daddy saw me coming along waving in the breeze, he immediately removed his hat and placed it so that his right hand was directly over his heart.
And you - I remember you.
Standing there as straight as a soldier, you didn't have any hat, but you were giving me the right salute. Remember, they taught you in school to place your right hand over your heart, and little sister, not to be outdone, was saluting the same as you. There were some soldiers home on leave and they were standing at attention giving the military salute. Oh, I was very proud as I came down your street that day.
Now, I may sound as if I am a little conceited, Well I am!
I have a right to be, because I represent you, the people of the United States of America.
But what happened? I am still the same old flag. Oh, I have a couple more stars added since you were a boy. A lot more stars added since the beginning of this country, and lot more blood shed since that patriotic day so long ago.
Now I don't feel as proud as I used to. When I come down your street, some people just stand there with their hands in their pockets and give me a small glance and then look away. I see children running around and shouting. They don't seem to know who I am.
Is it a sin to be patriotic anymore? Have some people forgotten what I stand for? Have they forgotten all the battlefields where men have fought and died to keep this nation free? When you salute me you are actually saluting them!
Take a look at the memorial rolls some time. Look at the names of those who never came back. Some of them were friends and relatives of yours.
That's whom you are saluting, not me!
Well, it won't be long until I'll be coming down your street again. So, when you see me, stand straight, place your hand over your heart and you'll see me waving back -- that's my salute to you. And then I will know you remember who I am...
Author unknown
Reprinted from VFW Post #1781 Fort Collins, Colorado
By Msgt.Percy Webb
I am your Flag
I was born on June 14th, 1777.
I am more than just cloth shaped into design.
I am the refuge of the World's oppressed people.
I am the silent sentinel of Freedom.
I am the emblem of the greatest sovereign nation on earth.
I am the inspiration for which American Patriots
gave their lives and fortunes.
I have led your sons into battle from Valley Forge to the
bloody swamps of Vietnam.
I walk in silence with each of your Honored Dead,
to their final resting place beneath the silent White Crosses, row upon row.
I have flown through Peace and War, Strife and Prosperity,
and amidst it all I have been respected.
My Red Stripes....symbolize the blood spilled in defense of this glorious
nation.
My White Stripes....signify the burning tears shed by Americans who lost
their sons.
My Blue Field....is indicative of God's heaven under which I fly.
My Stars....clustered together, unify 50 states as one, for God and Country.
"Old Glory" is my nickname, and proudly I wave on high.
Honor me, respect me, defend me with your lives and fortunes.
Never let my enemies tear down from my lofty position, lest I never return.
Keep alight the fires of patriotism, strive earnestly for the spirit of
democracy.
Worship Eternal God and keep His Commandments,
and I shall remain the bulwark of peace and freedom for all mankind.
I am your Flag
Copyright © 1998 Korean War Veterans National Museum and Library