Page 126 - South Mississippi Living - July, 2019

SOUTH MISSISSIPPI
ying high
AMERICAN FLAG
story by Kelsey Sunderman-Foster
Displaying a flag is a symbol of pride for many Americans, but there’s a responsibility associated with it as well. Flag Etiquette is an important aspect of flag display, and shouldn’t be taken lightly. Here are a few tips for flying your American flag correctly.
GENERAL FLAG DISPLAY
Flag protocol says that the American Flag should only
be displayed from sunrise to sunset, but for a patriotic effect, it can be flown 24 hours a day if displayed properly. According to usflag.org, flags displayed overnight should be property illuminated during the hours of darkness.
When raised or lowered on a flagpole, the flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.
HALF-STAFF
Flags are flown at half-staff as a symbol of respect. In the United States, flags are said to be half-mast if flown from ships and half-staff if on land. There are some standing dates where flags should be flown at half-staff,
but the President can also order flags to be flown at half-staff upon the death of principal figures of the United States Government as a mark of respect to their memory.
Days the American flag should be flown at half-staff:
• May 15 – Peace Officers Memorial Day
• Last Monday in May – Memorial Day (half-staff until
noon only, then raise to the top of the staff)
• July 27 – Korean War Veterans Armistice Day
• September 11 – Patriot Day
• December 7 – Pearl Harbor Day
When hoisting a flag that is to be displayed at half-staff, it should be raised to the finial of the pole for an instant, then lowered to half-staff. Likewise, when the flag is lowered
at the end of the day, it should be hoisted to the finial and
then lowered. Flags flown on poles affixed to a home or building are not to be flown at half staff but a memorial streamer can be affixed to the top of the flagpole to signify half staff.
If you’re unsure of when your flag should be flown at half-staff, many organizations such as halfstaff.org offer half-staff email notifications.
WHAT NOT TO DO
The flag should not be dipped to any person or thing. The flag should never be displayed with the union (stars)
down, unless as a signal of distress.
The flag should never touch anything beneath it.
The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but
always aloft and free.
The flag should never be used or put in a position where it
might be damaged in any way.
The flag should never be used as covering for a ceiling. The flag should never have anything placed on it.
The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose,
nor embroidered on cushions or handkerchiefs, printed on paper napkins or boxes, nor used as any portion of a costume.
PROPER DISPOSAL
If the condition of a flag becomes deteriorated, the flag should be destroyed in a dignified and ceremonious fashion, preferably by burning. Most American Legion posts will conduct an annual ceremony, often on Flag Day (June 14) to retire old or worn flags. You may also ask your local Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts troops about retiring your flag.
126 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • July 2019
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