Halie Wetherington
ECB Publishing, Inc.
Flag Day is celebrated annually on June 14 to commemorate the adoption of the flag of the United States, which occurred on June 14, 1777.
The Meaning Behind the American Flag
The American Flag resembles freedom and liberty for the country. There are 13 alternating red and white stripes that represent the number of original colonies. The 50 stars represent the 50 states of the Union. The white color of the stars and stripes stands for innocence and purity, while the blue color stands for justice and perseverance, and the red stands for valor and courage.
Other Facts About the American Flag
Here are some interesting facts that you might not have known about the flag:
• There have been 27 versions of the American Flag.
• The flag can be displayed for all 24 hours.
• The colors were chosen very carefully.
• The current design was made by a 17-year-old high school student.
• The current flag is the only one to have lasted more than 50 years.
• A snippet of the flag of the Star Spangled Banner was written about was sold in 2011.
• Five American flags have made it to the moon.
• The national anthem, the “Star Spangled Banner,” was written by Francis Scott Key in 1814 in the midst of the War of 1812, while John Stafford Smith was deemed the composer.
Flag Etiquette from the American Legion
Here is a list of some rules from the American Legion website at www.legion.org:
• No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America; the flag should not be dipped to any person or thing. Regimental colors, State flags and organizational flags are to be dipped as a mark of honor.
• The flag should never be displayed with the union (the blue square section containing the stars) down, except as a signal of distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.
• The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water or merchandise.
• The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free.
• The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free. Bunting of blue, white and red always arranged with the blue above, the white in the middle, and the red below, should be used for covering a speaker's desk, draping the front of the platform and for decoration in general.
• The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used or stored in such a manner as to permit it to be easily torn, soiled or damaged in any way.
• The flag should never be used as a covering for a ceiling.
• The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature.
• The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
• The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. It should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkin or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown.
• No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.
• The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning. (Disposal of Unserviceable Flags Ceremony)
These are just a few of the rules of etiquette that should be observed when displaying the U.S. Flag. One of the goals of the American Legion, and specifically the American Legion Otto M. Walker Post #49, in Monticello, is to teach everyone, especially young people, how to show proper respect to the symbol of our nation.