Keep flag code in mind this Flag Day

Jun 14, 2023

According to legend, in June 1776, George Washington commissioned Betsy Ross, a Philadelphia seamstress, to create a flag for the new nation in anticipation of a declaration of its independence.

On June 14, 1777, John Adams spoke about the flag at a meeting of the Continental Congress in Philadelphia: "Resolved, that the flag of the thirteen United States shall be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the Union be thirteen stars, white on a blue field, representing a new constellation." His resolution was adopted.

When you display your flag, you demonstrate your patriotic devotion to the emblem of our country.

But did you know that there is a document that prescribes how the flag is to be honored? The U.S. Flag Code was adopted by the U.S. Congress first in the 1930s, again in 1968, and most recently on August 12, 1998.

The Flag Code prescribes that the U.S. flag should never be dipped to any person or thing, with one exception; a U.S. Navy Ensign is permitted to dip the flag as a response to a salute from a foreign ship.

Many of the provisions of the code we learned in childhood:

1. When the National Anthem is played or sung, or when the flag passes by, U.S. civilians should stand, with the right hand covering the heart. Military personnel and veterans should salute.

2. Never let the flag touch the ground. (Actually, this provision says never to let the flag touch anything below it. In other words, the flag must always be allowed to hang free, whether on a flagpole or on the wall of a building, such as a gymnasium.)

3. Never use the flag as a receptacle for receiving, holding, or carrying, or delivering anything.

4. When a flag has become so tattered that it no longer is fit to serve as a symbol of the U.S.A., it should be replaced in a dignified manner, preferably by burning. The VFW, American Legion, scouting organizations, the U.S. military, and others have guidelines for conduct at flag retirement ceremonies.

5. The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or draperies.

6. The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally. (Note the violations that often occur at major sporting events.)

7.The flag must never be used for advertising purposes.

8.The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature.

9. The flag should always be displayed with the field of stars in the upper left corner, except that it may be flown upside down to signal distress or great danger.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that these provisions are not binding, as that would violate the First Amendment protections of free speech.

Nevertheless, as patriotic citizens, we should always honor the U.S. flag by observing the flag code.

Kent M. Melcher of Winfield is the patriotic instructor for Private John N. Eckes Camp #10, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civll War.

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Updated: June 8, 2023 @ 8:48 am