Happy Flag Day!

This Sunday, June 14th, is Flag Day. While I have to say I don't know much about flags, I have always been brought up to respect what the flag symbolizes. While it's a symbol of pride for me to see a US flag flying high, and a symbol of mourning to see it at half-staff, I really can't say I know too much about the history of "flags" in general - but to celebrate the day, here are some flag etiquette rules for you:

* The flag is normally flown from sunrise to sunset.
* In the morning, raise the flag briskly. At sunset, lower it slowly. Always, raise and lower it ceremoniously.
* The flag should not be flown at night without a light on it.
* The flag should not be flown in the rain or inclement weather.
* After a tragedy or death, the flag is flown at half staff for 30 days. It's called "half staff" on land ,and "half mast" on a ship.
* When flown vertically on a pole, the stars and blue field, or "union", is at the top and at the end of the pole (away from your house).
* The American flag is always flown at the top of the pole. Your state flag and other flags fly below it.
* The union is always on top. When displayed in print, the stars and blue field are always on the left.
* Never let your flag touch the ground, never...period.
* Fold your flag when storing. Don't just stuff it in a drawer or box.
* When your flag is old and has seen better days, it is time to retire it. Old flags should be burned or buried. Please do not throw it in the trash.

The funny thing about this list of dos and don'ts is the last one - about retiring an old flag. I've always associated flag burning with BAD NEWS, but here it seems that burning a flag that is finished flying isn't a symbol of hatred or hostility after all... The Boy Scouts are sometimes even charged with disposing of old flags by burning them. It's seen as retiring the flags with dignity and honor. The flags are considered to have done their duty when they are dirty and torn from being flown for so long.

Odd, considering I've never given it much thought. Maybe it's sentimental, but it seems fitting to me, as if the flag has personality and is more than just an object - but then I guess it is. It's a symbol of the sacrifices, the hope and the freedom that we have and continue to fight to defend.

Norman Munthe, Boy Scout Troop 691 scoutmaster, said it best. "The flag is a symbol for our country. The blue in our flag stands for the valor with which our ancestors fought and died. The white stands for the purity in all of our hearts. It represents the honor that each of us show in our everyday lives. The red stands for all of the men and women who died in the service of our country as members of the Armed Forces, police, firefighters and as everyday citizens."

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Happy Flag Day!

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