Respecting the American Flag

As a fourth year cub scout, my son Adam was trained how to raise and lower the American Flag. Part of this education was learning how to fold the American Flag and how to treat the flag respectfully.

Beginning in fifth grade, he was scheduled with other boys in his den, alternating with the older girl scout troops, to be in charge of the American Flag that proudly flies in front of his elementary school. For several weeks during the year, he was responsible to see that it was flown in the morning, and lowered properly.

It occurred to me while Adam and I were at the school this summer that while we have a 'bucket brigade' committee to help maintain the outdoor plants and trees in front of the school, no one was on flag duty. Feeling like it is my civic duty, we decided that we would take this great responsibility and great privilege upon ourselves to see that was it raised and lowered nearly every day.

Watching my son in action is awe-inspiring. His great reverence and respect for the flag is evident in the manner in which he conducts himself as I assist. It was in those early days that I realized that he knew more than I did about proper etiquette in raising, lowering, folding--and even carrying it. While there are some great websites that give more detail about the care of our American Flag, here are some highlights to basic care:

Rule #1 

Unless the flag is an all-weather flag, do not fly it in inclement weather. 

Rule #2

The flag is to be displayed only from sunrise to sunset, unless there is proper lighting illuminating it.

Rule #3

When flying at half-staff in honor or remembrance of a government official, the official protocol is to raise the American Flag to its highest elevation for a moment, and then back to the half-staff position. A flag is only flown at half-staff upon official Presidential orders. Interestingly, on Memorial Day only, the flag is flown at half-staff until noon, and then hoisted to its peak for the rest of the day.

Rule #4

The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, other belongings, or water.

Rule #5

The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally but be carried aloft and free. (This etiquette rule most surprised me, and I realized that we had been in violation of it. Now Adam carries it at an angle away from his body, carefully keeping one hand above and one hand below the flag to protect it.)

Did you know there is a proper way to fold the flag when you remove it from the flagpole? When folded, only a corner of stars should be visible. The step-by-step guide is found here.

And please do not forget that when the flag is no longer suitable for flying, proper disposal is to respectfully burn it.  Just as it is wise to check our smoke detector batteries periodically, it is also wise to make sure our flag is free of tears and not heavily soiled.  If it is time to burn the flag and you feel ill-equipped, most local VFW halls will gladly accept the flag and take care of the disposal for you.

Use this Independence Day holiday--and the abundance of flags around town--to remind you of how fortunate you are to live freely and be a part of this great country.  It is an honor to fly the American Flag. Please do so respectfully.