Proper Patriotic Etiquette

Fittingly in honor of Independence Day 2008, I will dedicate this entry to the proper etiquette of flying the American Flag, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, and singing the National Anthem.

I just returned from my town's annual Downtown Independance Day Parade, and am dissapointed in the number of people that simply stood by and watched as the symbol of their nation traveled by and their national anthem was played. Were they not taught to place their hand over their heart?

Interestingly, despite how "in vogue" being patriotic is these days, at every single public venue that plays the national anthem or recites the Pledge, I see the vast majority of the crowd improperly standing at attention with their hands at their sides or clasped in front of them. Throughout my neigborhood, many people improperly fly the flag unlit at night, and across the country I see American citicens improperly using the American flag in their clothing.

There are those that may claim it's use as clothing is simply an expression of innocent patriotism, but it is being "used as decoration;" a blatant violation of the official Flag Code.

"There's a CODE?!" you may ask. Yes, there is indeed. On June 22, 1942, Congress passed a resolution that was later amended to become Public Law 829, 77th Congress, 2nd Session. In it was contained specific rules and conduct in regards to the use and display of the American flag, and proper conduct during the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegience. It is actually a federal law!

Granted, there are no official penalties in place for violating the law; it is more an official guideline. Still, as proud American citizens, we should follow it and show the flag due respect – after all, it represents more than anything else our nation as a whole, and indeed its citizens themselves: us.

I understand that people are trying to show their love of country (and all the more power to showing one’s pride), but it is downright disrespectful to present the flag in an improper manner. When addressing a person of status, we use a term of respect: Mr. President, Your Honor, Ms. Senator, etc. Should not we follow the correct forms of address to the very symbol of our nation?

I call everyone to pay attention, to (correctly) fly the flag with pride, to address the flag with respect, and to educate others!

You may visit USFlag.org to read the full Flag Code, including details on its address and presentation etiquette, or scroll down to read some items that I’ve copied to this post.

To all of America, I hope that you have a wonderful, safe, and inspiring Independence Day!

--Editor, The Threshold

The Flag Code:

The Flag Code, which formalizes and unifies the traditional ways in which we give respect to the flag, also contains specific instructions on how the flag is not to be used. They are:

• 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 covering a speakers desk, draping a platform, or for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top.
• The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard
• 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.

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.

Patriotic Saluting:

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 men with head cover should remove it and hold it to left shoulder, hand over the heart. Members of organizations in formation salute upon command of the person in charge.

The Pledge of Allegiance and the 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 to the flag, if displayed, otherwise to the music.

-Special thanks to www.usflag.org for the use of their flag etiquette informtaion-