Flag Flying Tips for the 4th
As you prepare to bring out the stars and stripes for the 4th of July, here are a few tips to help ensure the honor of the flag and our nation’s independence with a careful, thoughtful display:
HANDLE WITH CARE: Always handle the flag carefully; it should not touch the ground or become worn or soiled.
UNION UP: The American flag should be displayed with the blue union up, except as a distress signal in times of dire emergency. So, if you fly your flag from a staff, make sure the union is stationed at the staff’s peak, and if the flag is displayed on a flat surface outside or inside the home, the union should be uppermost and to the flag’s own right─that is, to the observer’s left. One more thing: never use the flag as a wrapping or any other sort of decoration. That’s what red, white and blue bunting is for.
LIGHTS ON: Your flag should be illuminated at all times while on display, so if you leave it up at night, make sure a porch or street light is shining nearby. You can also install a sensor light that automatically comes on in the evening.
RAISE BRISKLY, STORE CAREFULLY: When hoisting the flag, raise it briskly. Lower it ceremoniously to a recipient’s waiting hands and arms, taking care that no part of it touches the ground or any nearby objects along the way. Then fold the flag neatly and carefully for storage.
NO ADS, PLEASE: The American flag should never be used for advertising or printed onto anything designed for disposal, like paper napkins or plates. It also shouldn’t be embroidered onto furniture, cushions or handkerchiefs, or worn as clothing. Flag pins, however, are absolutely okay, so long as they are displayed on the left lapel, nearest the heart.
DISPOSE WITH DIGNITY: If your flag becomes too worn for display, make sure to dispose of it properly. This can be done either by burning it in a dignified manner or through the assistance of your local VFW, American Legion, Knights of Columbus, Elks Lodge, or Boy or Girl Scouts.
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