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| U. S. FLAG |
U. S. National Anthem "The Star Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the U.S.A. The lyrics written in 1814 by Francis Scott Key, who was a 35-year-old lawyer and amateur poet, wrote them as a poem after seeing the bombardment of Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland, by British ships in Chesapeake Bay during the War of 1812. The poem, titled "Defence of Fort McHenry," was set to the tune of the popular British drinking song "The Anacreontic Song", more commonly known by its first line, "To Anacreon in Heaven," and became a well-known American patriotic song. The Star Spangled Banner |
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U. S. flag composed of over a million flowers in Lompoc, CA
Commentary by Jim Garamone American Forces Press Service WASHINGTON, June 14, 2004 It wasn't all that long ago that everyone seemed to be flying an American flag. In the days and weeks after the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, American flags sprouted from everywhere. At the World Trade Center site, New York firemen hoisted an American flag amid the rubble. At the Pentagon, workers paused and saluted as a huge garrison flag was draped next to the impact point. Flags sprouted on mini-vans and motorcycles. People raised flags on new flagpoles on front lawns and atop apartment buildings. It seemed that every overpass on interstate highways had a flag. And this doesn't count the millions of decals, rub-ons and bumper stickers that featured the flag. That was the latest manifestation of the flag of the United States of America as a symbol for all that the country stands for. It seems in time of crisis, the flag is a rallying point. On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress approved the U.S. flag and detailed the composition. Originally, it was literally a rallying point for the troops of the Continental Army. In battle, the unit flag was the center of mass, and from the area around the flag commanders gave orders and rallied troops. The flag as a symbol of America grew out of the War of 1812. Francis Scott Key was so inspired by the sight of the American flag flying over Fort McHenry on Sept. 12, 1814, that he wrote "The Star Spangled Banner." "And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night, that our flag was still there." These words inspire Americans today, and when U.S. citizens see the flag they are reminded that America is still "the land of the free, and the home of the brave." The American flag has become more than just a red, white and blue design. It has become a symbol of what we stand for as a country. America reunited under the flag following the Civil War. The American flag flew at the Marne in World War I and at Iwo Jima during World War II. The American flag flew at Porkchop Hill in Korea and Hamburger Hill in Vietnam. It has flown over Grenada, Kuwait, Kabul and Baghdad. It covers the caskets of the fallen as they come home. And just last week, we saw it adorn the coffin of President Ronald Reagan, who in life created new respect for the stars and stripes. The United States is more than just land fortunately located in North America. The United States is a republic, and Americans do not swear fealty to royalty or land or nobility. Rather, Americans swear to uphold the Constitution of the United States, and the American flag is a symbol of that oath. On Flag Day, remember that oath and those who have died for the freedom the American flag represents. |
"I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." U. S. Flag Etiquette Public Law 94-344, Federal Flag Code, contains rules for handling and displaying the U.S. Flag. While the Federal Code contains no penalties for misusing the flag, states have their own flag codes and may impose penalties. The language of the Federal Code makes clear that the flag is a living symbol. In response to a Supreme Court decision, which held that a state law prohibiting flag burning was unconstitutional, Congress enacted the Flag Protection Act in 1989. It provides that anyone who knowingly desecrates the flag may be fined and/or imprisoned for up to one year. However, this law was challenged by the Supreme Court in a 1990 decision that the Flag Protection Act violates the First Amendment free speech protections. Important Things to Remember Traditional guidelines call for displaying the flag in public only from sunrise to sunset. However, the flag may be displayed at all times if it's illuminated during darkness. The flag should not be subject to weather damage, so it should not be displayed during rain, snow and wind storms unless it is an all-weather flag. It should be displayed often, but especially on national and state holidays and special occasions. The flag should be displayed on or near the main building of public institutions, schools during school days, and polling places on election days. It should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously. When carried in procession with other flags, the U.S. flag should be either on the marching right (the flag's right) or to the front and center of the flag line. When displayed on a float in a parade, the flag should be hung from a staff or suspended so it falls free. It should not be draped over a vehicle. When displayed with another flag against a wall from crossed staffs, the U.S. flag should be on its own right (left to a person facing the wall) and its staff should be in front of the other flag's staff. In a group of flags displayed from staffs, the U.S. flag should be at the center and the highest point. When flags of states, cities or organizations are flown on the same staff, the U.S. flag must be at the top (except during church services conducted at sea by Navy chaplains). When other flags are flown from adjacent staffs, the U.S. flag should be hoisted first and lowered last. It must be on the right of other flags and no other flag should stand higher than it. Flags of other nations should be flown from separate staffs. International custom dictates that flags of different nations be displayed at the same height in peacetime and be approximately the same size. If the flag is suspended outdoors from a rope stretched from a building to a pole, the flag should be hoisted out from the building with the union first. When the flag is displayed other than from a staff, it should be flat or suspended so that it falls free. When displayed against something, such as a wall, the union should be at the top and to the flag's own right, the observer's left - whether displayed horizontally or vertically. When displayed over a street or sidewalk, where it can be seen from either side, be sure the union is to the north on an east- west street, and to the east on a north-south street. The same directions apply in a building lobby or corridor with entrances to the east and west or north and south. When displayed flat against the wall on a speaker's platform, the flag should be above and behind the speaker with the union on the left side as the audience looks at it (again, the flag's right). When the flag hangs from a staff in a church or public place, it should appear to the audience on the left, the speaker's right. Any other flags displayed should be placed on the opposite side of the speaker.
Unsuitable U. S. Flag Disposal Information Global Special Operations Publisher's Comment: Desecration of the National Flag of the United States of America is an act that desecrates the memory of all Americans, who gave the supreme sacrifice or spilled their blood in combat, while protecting the U. S. National Flag from the enemy's desecration. 
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