.
The American flag is living symbol recognized around the world, but there’s more to the cloth than one may realize.
Each of the colors on the flag has a distinct meaning. The red stands for valor and bravery, white represents purity and innocence, while blue stands for vigilance, perseverance and justice.
There are traditional guidelines in place for honoring such a national treasure.
For example, the U.S. flag should be flown in public only from sunrise to sunset. However, the flag can be displayed at all times when it is lit up during darkness.
The flag should not be allowed to be flown in damaging weather – such as rain, snow, hail and windstorms – unless it’s made out of all-weather material. The flag should be displayed often, but especially on national and state holidays as well as special occasions.
According to Federal Flags LLC, “half-mast” and “half-staff” are closely related, but have distinct meanings and applications. The key distinction is that half-mast is nautical in origin, while half-staff pertains to land-based flag displays in the United States.
The U.S. flag is flown at half-staff to honor a newly deceased federal or state government official by order of the president or governor. On Memorial Day, the flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon.
The American flag should not be taken lightly or used without care, such as on a costume or athletic uniform. However, flag patches are OK to put on a patriotic organization’s uniform as well as those of military personnel, law enforcement officers and firefighters.
The American flag is held dear to anyone who has served under it.
“The most important part of the American flag is the red stripes on it. The red stripes stand for the blood that’s been shed for the freedom that people take advantage of. Men have died for the rights that people have today,” Army veteran Butch Murray of Cherokee County said. “They volunteered, they were drafted, they were forced into it. Women died – the Civil War, World War I, World War II, Korea and Vietnam. The blood that courses through our veins is the blood that makes that flag fly.”
During the hoisting or lowering of the American flag, or when it passes in a parade or for review, Americans should stand at attention facing the flag and place their right hand over the heart.
Uniformed military members render the military salute. Men not in uniform should remove any headdress and hold it with their right hand at their left shoulder, the hand resting over the heart. For anyone who is not a U.S. citizen, they should stand at attention.
When the flag is worn out or unable to be flown respectfully, it should be destroyed in a dignified way, such as by burning. There is a drop box in downtown Murphy for such flags.
Details: Visit usa.gov and search “flag etiquette.”