Flying the flag proper etiquette for Old Glory

There are few sights more stirring than seeing Old Glory fluttering in the breeze against a background of clear blue sky. But many people don’t know proper American flag etiquette and because of that lack of knowledge, choose not to fly the Stars and Stripes rather than risk a faux pas, or, worse, break the law.

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Public Law 94-344, also known as the Federal Flag Code, contains the rules for handling and displaying the U.S. flag.

The Federal Flag Code’s guidelines suggest traditionally displaying the flag in public from sunrise to sunset.

The flag may be hung at any time, but people like to display the flag on national and state holidays or special occasions.

The U.S. flag should be shown at full staff on the following days: New Year’s Day (Jan. 1), Inauguration Day ( Jan. 20), Lincoln’s birthday (Feb. 12), President’s Day (the third Monday in February), Armed Forces Day (the third Saturday in May), after noon on Memorial Day (the last Monday in May), Flag Day (June 14), Independence Day ( July 4), Labor Day (first Monday in September), Constitution Day (Sept. 17), Columbus Day (second Monday in October), Navy Day (Oct. 27), Veteran’s Day (Nov. 11) and Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November).

When displaying a flag, make sure it is in good condition and firmly attached to the pole, and that the pole is firmly attached to the holder.

According to the Veteran’s Administrative Office website, whether the flag is flown from a lofty position at the top of a flag pole or from a lower height, such as at the front entrance to a home, it is important to properly illuminate Old Glory, unless the flag is taken inside every night.

A simple spotlight, solar- or battery-operated or wired directly into the house, strategically placed to highlight the flag’s colorful stars and stripes, is all that is needed.

In case of inclement weather, the flag should be lowered, properly folded and stored. The flag should not be on display during rain, snow or wind storms unless it is an all-weather flag.

The American flag is one of the most recognizable symbols around the world. Here is some information from www.usflag.org, a website dedicated to the nation’s flag and how it came to be regarded as a symbol of freedom, liberty and justice.

It is unknown for sure who designed the first stars and stripes or who made it, although most historians believe Congressman Francis Hopkinson seems most likely to have designed it. Few historians believe that Betsy Ross, a Philadelphia seamstress, made the first one.

Until the Executive Order of June 24, 1912, neither the order of the stars nor the proportions of the flag was prescribed.

Consequently, flags dating before this period sometimes show unusual arrangements of the stars and odd proportions, these features being left to the discretion of the flag maker.

In general, however, straight rows of stars and proportions similar to those later adopted officially were used. Here are some principal events and moments regarding the flag of the United States:

• The first flag of the United States went up Jan. 1, 1776, at George Washington’s Headquarters for the Continental Army.

It was actually an adaptation of a British naval merchant ensign, a red ensign with a British Union Jack in the upper left. Washington had six white stripes imposed on the red field forming 13 red and white stripes.

• 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.”

• Act of Jan. 13, 1794, provided for 15 stripes and 15 stars after May 1795.

• Act of April 4, 1818, provided for 13 stripes and one star for each state, to be added to the flag on the Fourth of July, following the admission of each new state, signed by President James Monroe.

• The first national observance of Flag Day was in 1877, centennial of the 1777 resolution by the Continental Congress to create a flag for the United States.

• Executive Order of President William Howard Taft dated June 24, 1912, established proportions of the flag and provided for arrangement of the stars in six horizontal rows of eight each, a single point of each star to be upward.

• President Harry Truman gave June 14 official recognition as Flag Day when he signed the National Flag Day bill on Aug. 3, 1949.

• Executive Order of President Dwight Eisenhower dated Jan. 3, 1959, provided for the arrangement of the stars in seven rows of seven stars each, staggered horizontally and vertically.

• Executive Order of President Dwight Eisenhower dated Aug. 21, 1959, provided for the arrangement of the stars in nine rows of stars staggered horizontally and eleven rows of stars staggered vertically.

• Reading Material. A road trip is the perfect time to dive into a good book, such as New York Times best-seller and Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick “The Alice Network.” The enthralling historical novel from national best-selling author Kate Quinn tells the story of two women - a female spy recruited to the Alice Network, an espionage ring operating during World War I, and an unconventional American socialite searching for her cousin post-World War II. They embark on a dangerous mission to discover the truth about the betrayal that tore apart the organization, no matter the cost. Learn more at www.katequinnauthor.com.

• Technology. While cellphones often fall into the “essential” category, there are other devices that can make the miles pass by a little easier, like a laptop or tablet, but don’t forget headphones and chargers for any gadgets you decide to bring.

• Toiletries. Regardless of where your travels take you, personal hygiene will rank near the top of the list for each passenger in the vehicle. Ensure you’ve got your bases covered with soap, shampoo, conditioner, a comb or brush, a toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant, shaving supplies, lotion, sunscreen and any additional hair accessories you may need.

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