On Flag Day, many don't display it correctly

Vern Griffith, a former Scoutmaster in Sikeston, Missouri, said his troop conducted two flag retirement ceremonies a year during his nine years as its leader. But one particular occasion stands out in his memory.

About 1999, he and the young men of Boy Scout Troop 41 were conducting an evening ceremony behind the chamber of commerce building when two police officers arrived. They had received a call from a concerned resident who thought the Scouts were doing something illegal. When Griffith explained that burning was the preferred way to dispose of a flag, the police decided to stick around and observe.

"[But] I thought it was very neat that someone would call the cops on us," Griffith said.

The flag-burning ceremony of Griffith's memory showed him public knowledge about flags is lacking, and the American flag is more than just a piece of cloth, he said.

Much more, as it turns out.

In federal and state law, certain guidelines govern the display and use of the American flag -- helpful to know for Flag Day on Saturday. The holiday began in 1949 when it was signed into law by President Harry S. Truman, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Flag Day commemorates the Continental Congress approving the design of the American flag in 1777.

A proper send-off

On flag disposal, the U.S. Flag Code states: "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."

Another entry governs how and when the flag should be flown.

"It is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open," it says. "However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness."

When the flag of a state or municipality is "flown on the same halyard with the flag of the United States, the latter should always be at the peak," the code states. In case of inclement weather, the flag should not be displayed unless it is made of all-weather materials.

"I don't think people are really aware of the Flag Code," said Deborah Griffin, treasurer of the ladies auxiliary of the Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Cape Girardeau. "They don't strictly follow [it]."

For example, she said, the size of the flag displayed depends on how tall the flagpole is. For the average flagpole, a flag should be 3 feet wide by 5 feet long. People also should replace a flag when it becomes torn or shredded and never use it as clothing or a tablecloth, she said.

Joe Wolsey, commander of the VFW Post in Cape Girardeau, estimated about half of the flags he sees are flown incorrectly.

"Most people try to fly them correctly," Wolsey said, but "they could use a tuneup."

One of the more frequent violations is flying the flag at half-staff without following proper procedure, he added.

The Flag Code states the president of the United States can order the flag lowered to half-staff "upon the death of principled figures of the United States government and the governor of a state, territory or possession." The governor of a state also can order flags lowered upon the death of a member of the armed forces or the death of a member of the state government.

Although the code is federal law, no penalty or punishment is contained in the code if the flag isn't displayed as suggested. The code "functions simply as a guide to be voluntarily followed by civilians and civilian groups," the code states.

Jim Macklem, a former Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 16 in Cape Girardeau, said the troop performs flag retirement ceremonies every two or three years. As part of the requirements for the Tenderfoot Scout rank, a Scout must learn the proper technique for raising, lowering and displaying the flag.

To perform a flag retirement ceremony properly, a person should cut the flag into strips along the stripes before placing it in the fire, Macklem said.

Additional United States Flag Code requirements include:

* The flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.

* The flag should not be displayed on days with inclement weather unless an all-weather flag is used.

* The flag should not be draped on a vehicle, train or boat.

* No other flag should be placed above or on the same level to the right of the American flag. (The United Nations headquarters in New York has a special exemption for this).

* When flags of two nations are flown together, they should be at the same height with the same approximate size.

* The American flag should always be placed to the right of a speaker or clergyperson when it is used on a speaker's platform.

* The Freedom to Display the American Flag Act prohibits a condominium, cooperative or real estate management association from adopting or enforcing any policy or agreement that would restrict or prevent a member from displaying the flag in accordance with the Flag Code.

Basics of American flag etiquette

* The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal.

* The flag should not be used as a drapery or for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes.

* The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose.

* The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, fireman, policeman and members of patriotic organizations.

* The flag should never have placed on it, or attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure or drawing of any kind.

* The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying or delivering anything.

* When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms. To store the flag it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.

* The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary.

* When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.

Source: USFlag.org