UNITED
STATES CODE
- TITLE 4 - CHAPTER 1
§1. Flag;
stripes and stars
on
The flag of the United
States shall
be thirteen horizontal stripes, alternate red and white; and the
union of the flag shall be fifty stars, white in a blue field.
§ 2. Same;
additional stars
On the admission of a new
State into
the Union one star shall be added to the union of the
flag; and such addition shall
take
effect on the fourth day of July then next succeeding such
admission.
A Standard of
Honor
The flag of the United
States is a living
symbol that calls to our spirit, reminding us of the greatness of
America.
We cherish and uphold it because it is the standard of honor under
which
we live. The proper name of the nation's symbol is the United
States
Flag; however, it is sometimes referred to as Old Glory.
We view the flag with
devotion, for
it represents our national heritage of noble deeds, splendid
accomplishment,
and untold sacrifices which combined to establish the moral character
of
our country. Our flag is a symbol that makes our past one with the
present
and makes the present a foundation for tomorrow.
It signifies a people
dedicated to liberty,
justice and freedom for all.
It is our companion around
the world.
It summons confidence on sight. There is a magic in its folds
that
continually renews the hope that this nation, under God, will long be
an
example everywhere for all who love freedom with honor.
We give homage to the flag
because it
stands for the courageous, earnest, and unselfish experiences of our
people
who have given us strength as a nation and pride as citizens.
We respect our flag because
we have
respect for our fellow citizens, and because our love for country finds
its center in our flag.
The customs and traditions
which surround
the display and use of our flag are guides to the means by which we as
proud and grateful citizens may demonstrate the ultimate respect for
the
flag of our nation. In honoring and saluting our flag we demonstrate
affection
for our nation, fellow citizens and the proud future we share.
Our
Flag - What it Represents
The National Flag represents
the living
country and is considered to be a living thing emblematic of the
respect
and pride we have for our nation. Our flag is a precious
possession.
Display it proudly.
There are certain
fundamental rules
of Heraldry which, if understood, generally indicate the proper method
of displaying the flag. The right arm, which is the sword arm and
the point of danger, is the place of honor. Hence, the union of
the
flag [the stars] is the place of honor or the honor point.
The National Emblem 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.
Care
and Respect
The U.S. Flag should always
be treated
with the utmost care and respect. Remember, the flag represents a
living country and, as such, is considered a living symbol.
Always display the flag with
the blue
union field up -- never display the flag upside down, except as a
distress
signal. If upside down, this should be only in extreme
distress.
Always carry the flag aloft
and free
-- never carry it flat or horizontally in processions or parades.
The exception to this is carrying very large flags in a parade that are
too big to be flown from a staff or pole.
Always keep the flag
clean. Keep
it safe from those who would not respect it, or do not know enough to
do
so, such as a young child.
The flag is a symbol of us
all -- of
all America. It is not a political symbol. It is a symbol that
each
American should respect, for it represents the honor, courage and
sacrifice
of those who struggled to deliver freedom, justice and opportunity to
all
Americans. Contrary to other flags of the world, the U.S. Flag is not
just
the flag of the government, it is the flag of the citizens – the people
of all ages that make and keep America a stronghold and example of
freedom.
Folding
the Flag
To fold the flag,
ceremoniously, first
fold it lengthwise, bringing the striped half up over the blue
field.
Then repeat, with the blue field on the outside. Beginning at the
lower right, make a series of triangular folds until the flag resembles
a cocked hat with only the blue field visible.
The Boy Scouts of America
have a description
of folding the flag with photos of each step HERE.
Retiring Old
Flags
The Flag may be mended when
torn and
cleaned when dirty. If mended it should not be hemmed(shortened)
to the point where its measurement are no longer in proportion.
"The flag, when it is in
such condition
that it is no longer a fitting emblem of display, should be destroyed
in
a dignified way, preferably by burning." (The United States Flag Code)
The flag should be burned in private at a private, non-public
location.
In many American
communities, one or
more organizations render an important community service by collecting
and overseeing the proper disposal of old, worn, tattered, frayed
and/or
faded U.S. Flags.
For information in your
community try
the Boy Scouts of
America,
Veterans
of Foreign Wars, or the American
Legion. If they provide a flag retirement service the flag can be
dropped
off and they will take care of the ceremony.
(We have found that WalMart
will properly destroy unserviceable flags in most communities).
The National Flag Foundaton
describes
the Flag Retirement Ceremony HERE.
Information
on this
page was provided by the Annin
Company and the National
Flag Foundation
