Submitted to NorthIowaToday.com –
On Memorial Day and the Fourth of July, the American Flag is flown, showing respect for the military personnel and fight the Americans went through for their Independence.
The flag brings out different emotions in all Americans, some are pride and some sadness, but over time, has those emotions given way to disrespecting the flag.
On the United States American Flag Site, the Federal law stipulates many aspects of flag etiquette. The section of law dealing with American Flag etiquette is generally referred to as the Flag Code. Here are some general guidelines:
The flag should be lighted at all times, either by sunlight or by an appropriate light source.
The flag should be flown in fair weather, unless the flag is designed for inclement weather use.
The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal.
The flag should not be used for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top.
The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard.
The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, fireman, policeman and members of patriotic organizations.
The flag should never have any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind placed on it, or attached to it.
The flag should never be used for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms. To store the flag it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.
The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary.
When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.
A little history on the American Flag.
In May of 1776, Betsy Ross reported that she sewed the first American flag.
On June 14, 1777, in order to establish an official flag for the new nation, the Continental Congress passed the first Flag Act: “Resolved, That the flag of the United States be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation.”
Between 1777 and 1960, Congress passed several acts that changed the shape, design and arrangement of the flag and allowed for additional stars and stripes to be added to reflect the admission of each new state.
Are we showing disrespect when we clean off our barbecued mouths with a flag napkin? How about Apollo Creed, in Rocky, wearing flag designed boxers, The Harlem Globetrotters uniform, is that disrespecting the flag? Bandanna’s worn on our heads, flag tablecloths socks, beach towels, blankets, wash clothes, shoes, etc. Are we being disrespectful?
According to the Flag Code of Ethics, yes, we are.
More and more, this becomes a generational issue. Less emphasis is added to respecting our banner of freedom, and more to the cynical side of life in our country.
The meanings and responsibilities of that freedom, needs to be revisited in our education system, as well as in our homes, not verbally, but by example.
Only then will we see more respect for the country we call home.