The American Flag
The National flag represents the living country and is considered to be a living thing emblematic of the respect and pride we have for our nation. Our flag is a precious possession. Display it proudly. It represents the highest ideals of individual liberty, justice and equal opportunity for all.
THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
“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.”
HISTORY OF THE FLAG
The Flag of the United States of America is one of the oldest national standards in the world.
During America’s War for Independence, the need for a single national emblem was realized. On June 14, 1777, Congress passed an act stating “that the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white, that the union be thirteen starts, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.” June 14 is now celebrated each year as Flag Day. This design, associated with Betsy Ross, was used until 1795.
In 1794, after Vermont and Kentucky became states, Congress established a flag with 15 stars and 15 stripes. This design, which remained for 23 years, was “The Star-Spangled Banner” Francis Scott Key wrote about in 1814.
Finally in 1818, Congress settled on our current design. They returned to 13 stripes, with the number of stars equal to the number of states – 20 at that time.
HOW
TO SALUTE:
SALUTE: Head bare (women and military leave hats on), right hand over heart, standing at attention. Military use hand salute.
10
RULES ON HOW TO PROPERLY FLY THE FLAG:
1) The flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.
2) The flag is never allowed to touch the ground or the floor.
3) When hung over a sidewalk on a rope extending from a building to a pole, the union stars are always away from the building.
4) When vertically hung over the center of the street, the flag always has the union stars to the north in an east/west street, and to the east in a north/south street.
5) The flag of the United States of America should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags or states or localities or pennants of societies are grouped and displayed from staffs.
6) The flag should never be festooned, draw back, nor up, in folds but always allowed to fall free.
7) The flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon on Memorial Day then raised to the top of the staff.
8) Never fly the flag upside down except as a signal of distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.
9) The flag is never flown in inclement weather except when using an all-weather flag.
10) The flag can be flown every day from sunrise to sunset and at night if illuminated properly.
DISPOSING OF FLAG
Contact your local Veterans Group on flag burning Ceremonies usually held in the spring.
Some of the information was obtained from the
VFW-CQ/BRO
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