Saturday, November 6, 2021 - Flying the American Flag

Today, I volunteered with some other Rotarians and put out flags in people’s yards in the Addison area for Veteran’s Day. Next weekend we will pick them all up. It is a fundraising project. People pay $60 a year, and the Addison Midday Rotary puts out and takes up flags on some holidays. It is quite an involved process. Small plastic tubes are installed in yards to hold the flagpoles. The tubes are capped when not in use to keep grass and water from falling into them. Often, lush grass grows up around them, making them hard to find. To uncap the tubes requires one or two wrenches, considerable physical strength and a lot of luck. Volunteers put a blue dot on the curb directly opposite the tube and there are instructions for the distance from the curb, from the driveway, etc. Flags are on metal poles and are rolled up around the pole when not in use. A storage space is rented to store the flags. The driver has a van or pickup truck because the flags will not fit in any other vehicles. I was in charge of checking off the houses on our list. My team put out 37 flags in about an hour and a half. I believe there are four or five teams. When there are several flags on the same street, it really does look impressive. Makes you want to put your hand over your heart just looking at them. Let’s learn more about flying the American flag.

According to usa.gov/flag:

The Flag of the United States of America is a symbol of freedom and liberty to which Americans pledge their allegiance. Standing at attention and facing the flag with their right hand over the heart, they recite:

"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 flag’s 13 alternating red and white stripes represent the 13 original colonies. Its 50 white stars on a blue field represent the 50 states.

The colors on the flag represent:

- Red: valor and bravery.

- White: purity and innocence.

- Blue: vigilance, perseverance and justice.

Guidelines for Display of the Flag

Public Law 94-344, known as the Federal Flag Code, contains rules for handling and displaying the U.S. flag. While the federal code contains no penalties for misusing the flag, states have their own flag codes and may impose penalties. The language of the federal code makes clear that the flag is a living symbol. In response to a Supreme Court decision which held that a state law prohibiting flag-burning was unconstitutional, Congress enacted the Flag Protection Act in 1989. It provides that anyone who knowingly desecrates the flag may be fined and/or imprisoned for up to one year. However, this law was challenged by the Supreme Court in a 1990 decision that the Flag Protection Act violates the First Amendment free speech protections.

Traditional guidelines call for displaying the flag in public only from sunrise to sunset. However, the flag may be displayed at all times, if it’s illuminated during darkness. The flag should not be subject to weather damage, so it should not be displayed during rain, snow and windstorms unless it is an all-weather flag. It should be displayed often, but especially on national and state holidays and special occasions. The flag should be displayed on or near the main building of public institutions, schools during school days and polling places on election days. It should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.

If you need additional information or have a question, you can email the Department of State’s protocol office at protocolhelp@state.gov.

To order a U.S. flag that has flown over the Capitol, contact your senator's office.

According to U.S. Flag Code, a worn out American flag should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.

Flying the American Flag at Half-Staff

An easy way to remember when to fly the United States flag at half-staff is to consider when the whole nation is in mourning. These periods of mourning are proclaimed either by the President of the United States for national remembrance or the governor of a state or territory for local remembrance, in the event of a death of a member or former member of the federal, state or territorial government or judiciary. The heads of departments and agencies of the federal government may also order that the flag be flown at half-staff on buildings, grounds and naval vessels under their jurisdiction.

On Memorial Day the flag should be flown at half-staff from sunrise until noon only, then raised briskly to the top of the staff until sunset, in honor of the nation’s battle heroes.

In the early days of our country, no regulations existed for flying the flag at half-staff and, as a result, there were many conflicting policies. But on March 1, 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower issued a proclamation on the proper times.

The flag should fly at half-staff for 30 days at all federal buildings, grounds and naval vessels throughout the United States and its territories and possessions after the death of the president or a former president. It is to fly 10 days at half-staff after the death of the vice president, the chief justice or a retired chief justice of the United States Supreme Court or the speaker of the House of Representatives. For an associate justice of the Supreme Court, a member of the Cabinet, a former vice president, the president pro tempore of the Senate, the majority leader of the Senate, the minority leader of the Senate, the majority leader of the House of Representatives or the minority leader of the House of Representatives the flag is to be displayed at half-staff from the day of death until interment.

The flag is to be flown at half-staff at all federal buildings, grounds and naval vessels in the Washington, D.C., area on the day and day after the death of a United States senator, representative, territorial delegate or the resident commissioner from the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. It should also be flown at half-staff on all federal facilities in the state, congressional district, territory or commonwealth of these officials.

Upon the death of the governor of a state, territory or possession, the flag should be flown at half-staff on all federal facilities in that governor’s state, territory or possession from the day of death until interment.

The President may order the flag to be flown at half-staff to mark the death of other officials, former officials or foreign dignitaries. In addition to these occasions, the President may order half-staff display of the flag after other tragic events.

The flag should be briskly run up to the top of the staff before being lowered slowly to the half-staff position.

Winter Holidays to Fly Your American Flag

According to the article “Holiday Guide to Flying the American Flag” at nationalflagfoundation.org, flying the flag is one of the simplest and most powerful ways to demonstrate your patriotism. While you can fly the flag any day of the year, there are some notable days when all Americans should do so.

December 7: Pearl Harbor Day

Pearl Harbor was one of the deadliest tragedies in American military history. On this day we fly our flags at half-mast to remember the victims and show our patriotism.

January 1: New Year’s Day

At the beginning of a new year, it is important to unite as Americans as we seek another year of American greatness.

Third Monday in January: Martin Luther King Jr. Day

On this day we celebrate Dr. King’s contributions to racial justice in America.

January 20: Inauguration Day

America has a proud tradition of peacefully transferring power, and that is something every American can stand behind.

February 12: Lincoln’s Birthday

Abraham Lincoln saved the Union and ended slavery. On this day we honor his legacy.

February 22: Washington’s Birthday

George Washington defined what it meant to be an American president. On this day we show our appreciation for the nation’s first president.

Third Monday in February: Presidents Day

Our Presidents represent our country and lead us through challenges. On Presidents Day, we remember their great contributions and leadership.

Spring Holidays to Fly Your American Flag

April 6: Army Day

On this day we give thanks to all service men and women in the American Army.

Second Sunday in May: Mother’s Day

Our mothers are the reason we are here in America and get to enjoy the freedoms that come with being an American. On this day we give thanks to all mothers in America.

May 15: Peace Officers Memorial Day

On this day we pay tribute to the local, state and federal peace officers who either died or were disabled in the line of duty. Flags are flown at half-mast.

Third Saturday in May: Armed Forces Day

Armed Forces Day recognizes the services of all members of the American military.

Last Monday in May: Memorial Day

Memorial Day pays tribute to those that died while serving in the U.S. military. Flags are flown at half-mast until noon.

Summer Holidays to Fly Your American Flag

June 14: Flag Day

Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the American flag by resolution of the Second Continental Congress in 1777.

July 4: Independence Day

The 4th of July marks the beginning of the United States of America. We fly our flags on this day to show how proud we are to be Americans.

July 27: National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day

The Korean War was among the deadliest conflicts in American history. We fly our flags at half-mast on this day to honor the sacrifices of Korean War veterans.

Fall Holidays to Fly Your American Flag

First Monday in September: Labor Day

On Labor Day we celebrate the legacy of the labor movement and the laborers who built the America we all know and love.

September 17: Constitution Day

On this day we celebrate the adoption of the U.S. Constitution, the document that has defined American democracy for nearly 250 years.

October 12: Colombus Day

Christopher Columbus discovered the Americas. On this day we remember the first European to see the land that would become America.

First Tuesday in November: Election Day

Elections are the bedrock of American democracy. On this day we show our support for the American electoral process.

November 11: Veterans Day

Veterans Day honors the services of all veterans, past and present. We fly our flags to show our gratefulness.

Fourth Thursday in November: Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving is one of America’s biggest national holidays. On this day we give thanks.