Ah, the U.S. flag: No other American symbol represents the people and pride of our country like this vibrant strip of red, white and blue-hued cloth. On the average Fourth of July, the average citizen's devotion to Old Glory is somewhere on a par with a redneck's adoration of his Ford or a yuppie's allegiance to his golf clubs. Of course, our country's current situation being what it is, in the wake of Sept. 11, there's nothing at all average about the number of flags being waved from homes, autos, poles and public institutions throughout the country. Since the attacks on the World Trade Center, America is experiencing for the first time a shortage of flags, with seamstresses across the country — indeed around the globe — sewing like the wind in order to fill an urgent, almost obsessive demand for all sizes of stars-and-stripes. In the meantime, those most grievously unprepared folk, humiliated to find themselves without something to wave, are donning shirts, pants, purses, backpacks and jackets emblazoned with Old Glory. Having failed even that, many others are taking it upon themselves to paint our country's colors on everything from their faces to their houses and lawns to their pets (including one colorful, full-body paint job on a defenseless horse in Newberry, Fla.).
While this mighty show of pride is admirable, there is, in fact, a very strict (and wholly detailed) code of conduct regarding treatment of the American flag. For those of you interested in both showing your loyalty to the U.S. and in adhering to the specific instructions outlined in the United States Code regarding the flag (title 36, chapter 10) you might be surprised by a few of the following:
1. The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, floor, water or merchandise.
2. The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing.
3. Unless it is attached to a staff, the flag should never be suspended from a car, boat or float.
4. When used to cover a casket, the flag should never be lowered into a grave.
5. The flag should never be used to cover a ceiling.
6. The flag should never be used to carry anything.
7. The flag should never be used for advertising, under any circumstances.
8. The union portion of the flag (the stars) should never be displayed pointing down except as a distress signal.
9. The flag should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs and the like.
10. The flag should not be embroidered or impressed on paper napkins, cardboard boxes, or anything designed to be used and discarded.
11. The flag should never be drawn on or written on, or have anything attached to it.
12. The flag should not be used to cover a sculpture, statue or monument.
13. The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used or stored in any way that permits it to be easily soiled, torn or damaged.
14. The flag should never be worn as part of a costume or athletic uniform. (Flag patches and pins can be worn on the uniforms of military personnel, firemen, policemen and members of patriotic organizations, but should be placed on the left lapel, shoulder or as near the heart as possible.)
15. When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union should be uppermost and to the flag's right (observer's left).
16. The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, always aloft and free.
17. The flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.
18. When displayed over the middle of a street, the flag should be suspended vertically, with the union to the North (in an East and West street) or to the East (in a North and South street).
19. The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding or drapery.
20. When it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, the flag should never be thrown away. Burning is preferable.
United States Code information can be found online at www.usflag.org. The Flag Code is at www.usflag.org/us.code36.html.
Contact Kelli K at kelli@weeklyplanet.com or call 813-248-8888, ext. 127.
This article appears in Oct 25-31, 2001.