American Flag Etiquette

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American Flag Etiquette
By Peggy Schafer 5th grade Gasconade
County R-II
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Objectives Pursuant to Missouri Statutes
161.104.1 The state board of education shall
provide by Rule for a program of instruction
relating to the flag of the United States of
America and instruction in etiquette and in its
correct use and display and such other patriotic
exercises as may be expedient. Such instruction,
at a minimum, shall include sections 36 U.S.C.
170 to 177.
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For more than 200 years, the American flag has
been the symbol of our nations strength and
unity. Its been a source of pride and
inspiration for millions of citizens. And it has
been prominent in our national history.
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On June 14, 1777, in order to establish an
official flag for the new nation, the Continental
Congress passed the first Flag Act Resolved,
That the flag of the United States be made of
thirteen stripes, alternate red and white that
the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue
field, representing a new Constellation.
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Between 1777 and 1960 , Congress passed several
acts that changed the shape, design and
arrangement of the flag and allowed for
additional stars and stripes to be added to
reflect the admission of each new state.
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The Flag Code formalizes and unifies the
traditional ways in which we give respect to the
flag. Some of them are

• The flag should be lighted at all times, either
  by sunlight or by an appropriate light source

• 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.

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• 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.

• The flag should be flown in fair weather, unless
  the flag is designed for inclement weather use.

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Rules for Displaying the American Flag Outdoors
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Displaying the Flag Indoors

• When on display, the flag is accorded the place
  of honor, always positioned to its right. Place
  it to the right of the speaker of the staging
  area or sanctuary. Other flags should be to the
  left

• The flag of the United States of America should
  be at the center and at the highest point of the
  group when a number of flags of states,
  localities, or societies are grouped for display.

• When one flag is used with the flag of the United
  States of America and the staffs are crossed, the
  flag of the United States is placed on its own
  right with its staff in front of the other flag.

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• When displaying the flag against a wall,
  vertically or horizontally, the flags union
  (stars) should be a the top, to the flags own
  right, and to the observers left.

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Parading and Saluting the Flag

• When carried in a procession, the flag should be
  to the right of the marchers. When other flags
  are carried, the flag of the United States may be
  centered in front of the others or carried to
  their right.

• When the flag passes in a procession, or when it
  is hoisted or lowered, all should face the flag
  and salute.

• To salute, all persons come to attention. Those
  in uniform give the appropriate formal salute.
  Citizens not in uniform salute by placing their
  right hand over the heart and those with a head
  cover should remove it and hold it to the left
  shoulder, hand over the heart.

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The Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem

• The pledge of allegiance should be rendered by
  standing at attention, facing the flag and
  saluting.

• When the national anthem is played or sung,
  citizens should stand at attention and salute at
  the first note and hold the salute through the
  last note. The salute is directed at the flag,
  if displayed, otherwise the music.

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The Flag in Mourning

• To place the flag at half staff, hoist it to the
  peak for an instant and lower it to a position
  half way between the top and bottom of the staff.
  The flag is to be raised to the peak for a
  moment before it is lowered.

• On Memorial Day the flag is displayed at half
  staff until noon and at full staff from noon to
  sunset.

• The flag is to be flown at half staff in mourning
  for designated, principal government leaders and
  upon presidential or gubernatorial order.

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• When used to cover a casket, the flag should be
  placed with the union at the head over the left
  shoulder. It should not be lowered into the
  grave.

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Folding the Flag
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Summary
The National Flag is a symbol of our great
country, our heritage and our place in the world.
We owe reverence and respect to our flag. It
represents the highest ideals of individual
liberty, justice and equal opportunity for all.
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Assessment Students will be divided into 6
groups. Each group will work together to answer
the following questions. They will report back
to the entire class. Group 1. Practice folding
the U.S. Flag. Demonstrate to the class. Group
2. (1) When you hear the National Anthem
played, what should you do? Demonstrate to the
class. (2) How should the flag be disposed
of? Group 3. (1) During the ceremony of
hoisting or lowering the flag or when the flag is
passing in a parade what should you do?
Demonstrate to the class. (2) There are places
where the flag should be displayed daily. What
are they? Group 4. (1) When should the flag be
flown at half staff? (2) When can the flag be
displayed with the union down? Group 5. (1)
Name the flag holidays. (2) How should the flag
be hoisted and lowered. Group 6. (1)
Demonstrate how the Pledge of Allegiance to the
Flag should be presented. (2) What is the
universal custom in displaying the flag?
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ReferencesOur Flag, Annin and Co., Form
990004, 1997http//www.usflag.org/flagetiquette.
htmlhttp//www.usflag.org/history/historicflags.
html
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