The
Flag of the United States of America
THE
FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
After
the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776,
Americans realized they needed a national flag to take the place of
all the individual banners carried by the various regiments—a flag
that would symbolize the newly created union of states. Finally, on
June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress adopted the following brief
resolution: “RESOLVED, that the flag of the thirteen United States
be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white: That the union be
thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new
constellation.”
Captain
Samuel C. Reid, U.S. Navy, who commanded the General Armstrong during
the War of 1812, suggested to Congress that the stripes be fixed at
13 to represent the original colonies and that a star be added to the
blue field for every state coming into the union. Congress passed
this into law on July 4, 1818; one star for each new state would be
added to the flag on the next Fourth of July following the state’s
admission.
DISPLAYING
THE FLAG
When
the national flag is displayed flat, either horizontally or
vertically, on a wall or in a window, the union (blue field) should
be at the top and to the observer’s left when facing the flag. When
displayed from a staff projecting from a windowsill, balcony, or the
front of a building, the union (blue field) should be at the staff’s
peak (unless the flag is at half-staff). When displayed on a stage or
platform, the national flag should be to the speaker’s right. Any
other flag is on the speaker’s left. When suspended, the flag
should be vertical with the union to the north over an east–west
street, and to the east over a north–south street. The flag should
be hoisted out union (blue field) first. Flag decals and stickers may
be correctly displayed on the inside of motor vehicle side windows.
FLAG
CARE
Be
sure flags are dry before storing them. Colors affixed to staffs
should be carefully furled, placed in a flag case or boot, or wrapped
in plastic—and then stored upright, preferably in a cool, dry, dark
place. Iron-on patches make rips and holes easy to repair. They can
be bought in fabric departments in colors and various materials to
match the flag. Follow the directions on the fabric package. Outdoor
flags should be correctly folded and sealed in plastic bags that are
moisture- and bug-proof. Store in a safe, cool, and dry place.
WEARING
THE FLAG
• A
flag patch may be attached to such uniforms as those of athletes,
firefighters, police officers, and members of patriotic
organizations. The national flag should not be used as a costume or
athletic uniform.
•
Flag
lapel pins should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.
•
Reproductions
of the national flag in any medium such as jewelry, pins, buttons, or
printed materials must show the union (blue field) on the top and to
the observer’s left when facing the flag.
FLYING
THE FLAG AT HALF-STAFF
When
flown at half-staff, the flag is hoisted to the peak for an instant,
then lowered to the half-staff position (half the distance from the
top to the bottom of the staff). Before the flag is lowered for the
day, it is raised again to the top, then lowered.
If
your flag is on an outrigger flagpole or mounted on a wall and cannot
be flown at half-staff, it is appropriate to drape a purple and black
mourning ribbon across the flag.
The
flag is flown at half-staff all day on the following days:
•
December
7—Pearl Harbor Day
•
May
15—Peace Officers Memorial Day
•
July
27—Korean War Veterans Armistice Day
On
Memorial Day, the flag is flown at half-staff only until noon. Then
it is raised to the top to be flown until sunset.
The
U.S. president may also order that the flag be flown at half-staff
following the death of someone important to the government, or a
state governor. State governors can declare that the flag be flown at
half-staff in their state when a former governor of that state dies.
FLAG
HOLIDAYS
You
are encouraged to fly the flag on the following holidays:
|
New
Year's Day |
Inauguration
Day |
Martin
Luther King Jr. Day |
|
Presidents
Day |
Easter
Sunday |
Patriots
Day |
|
National
Day of Prayer |
Mother's
Day |
Armed
Forces Day |
|
Memorial
Day (half-staff until noon) |
Flag
Day |
Father's
Day |
|
Independence
Day |
Labor
Day |
Constitution
Day |
|
Columbus
Day |
Navy
Day |
Veterans
Day |
|
Thanksgiving
Day |
Christmas
Day |
Election
days |
DESTROYING
WORNOUT FLAGS
When
the national flag is worn beyond repair, burn it thoroughly and
completely on a modest but blazing fire. This should be done in a
simple manner with dignity and respect. Be sure the flag is reduced
to ashes unrecognizable as a former flag.
CUB
SCOUT FLAG CEREMONY PROTOCOL
*Flag
Bearer(s): Cub Scouts who carry the flag(s)—one flag per boy.
Hold the staff at a slight angle in front of the body. The bearer of
the United States flag marches at the front right of the column (if
marching in single file). A flag bearer stands silent and at
attention throughout the ceremony and does not say the Pledge of
Allegiance nor sing the national anthem.
*Color
guard: These Cub Scouts guard the honor of the flag and watch to see
that the flag does not touch the ground. They stand behind the flag
bearer, or to each side if in a line of more than one flag. Two per
flag is traditional, but any number may be used. They stand silent
and at attention throughout the ceremony and do not say the Pledge of
Allegiance nor sing the national anthem.
*Color
guard commander (or Caller): This designated Cub Scout “calls out”
the parts of the ceremony. He stands in front and to one side of
audience.
*Flag
placement: The United States flag is placed to the speaker’s right
when on the stage (or to the audience’s left). The second flag (if
used) is placed on the opposite side.
SUGGESTED
COLOR GUARD COMMANDER SCRIPT— OPENING CEREMONY
•
Color
guard, attention! Will the audience please rise?
•
Hand
salute! (Cub Scout salute if in uniform, hand on heart if not in
uniform.)
•
Color
guard, advance! (Wait for color guard to reach the front and face the
audience.)
•
Everyone,
please join me in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. (Recite the
pledge together.)
•
Two!
(This is the signal that everyone may put their hands down.)
• Cub
Scout sign! (All raise their right hands, making the Cub Scout
sign.)
•
Cub
Scouts, please join me in saying the Scout Oath. (Recite the Oath
together)
•
Two!
•
Color
guard, post the colors! Color guard, dismissed. The audience may be
seated.
COLOR
GUARD COMMANDER SCRIPT— CLOSING CEREMONY
•
Will
the audience please rise?
•
Color
guard, advance.
•
Color
guard, retrieve the colors.*
•
Audience,
salute. (Wait until flags leave the area) Two.
•
Color
Guard dismissed. Audience dismissed.
*
Note that the word is “retrieve,” not “retire.”
HOW
TO FOLD A FLAG
•
Fold
the flag in half lengthwise.
•
Fold
in half lengthwise again, being careful that the blue field is on the
outside.
•
As
one person holds the flag by the blue field, another makes a
triangular fold in the opposite end and continues to make triangular
folds until the entire flag is in a triangle.
•
Tuck
the loose edge of the flag into the pocket formed by the folds so
that only the blue field and white stars are visible.
