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Today is Flag Day: Facts about our American Flag

By
Real Estate Agent with Luxury Valley Homes Scottsdale SA524104000

Today is Flag Day: Facts about our American Flag 

USA FlagThe flag consists of 13 horizontal stripes, seven red alternating with six white. The stripes represent the original 13 colonies, the stars represent the 50 states of the union. The colors of the flag are symbolic as well:

 

Red symbolizes hardiness and valor, white symbolizes purity and innocence and blue represents vigilance, perseverance and justice.

Federal law stipulates many aspects of flag etiquette. The section of law dealing with American flag etiquette is generally referred to as the Flag Code. Some general guidelines from the Flag Code answer many of the most common questions:

 

·  The flag should be lighted at all times, either by sunlight or by an appropriate light source.

·  The flag should be flown in fair weather unless the flag is designed for inclement weather use.

·  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 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, fire fighter, police officer and members of patriotic organizations.

·  The flag should never have any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind placed on it or attached to it.

·  The flag should never be used for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.

·  When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms. To store the flag it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.

·  The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary.

·  When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner 

 

Source: http://www.usa-flag-site.org/

Comments (4)

Trisha Bush-LeFore
Preferred Properties Land & Homes - Walla Walla, WA
Providing Realtor Services in the Walla Walla Area

Jane & Jeff,

Thanks for the reminder on all the components that make up our American Flag and how is should be handled and displayed. Sometimes we take for granted the things that are important, like our Flag.

Jun 14, 2013 03:45 AM
Jane & Jeff Daley, PhD
Luxury Valley Homes Scottsdale - Scottsdale, AZ
Scottsdale Real Estate Arizona

Greetings Trisha - You are very welcome. Our flag is very important to me and it seems to be just as important to all my brothers and sisters who served in the military.

Jun 14, 2013 04:29 AM
Alan Harris
Keller Williams Realty - San Diego, CA
San Diego Real Estate Broker with Keller Williams

Hello Jane and Jeff,

Such a perfect post for flag day. Thank you for sharing this with us. Have a great day!

Jun 14, 2013 06:19 AM
Jane & Jeff Daley, PhD
Luxury Valley Homes Scottsdale - Scottsdale, AZ
Scottsdale Real Estate Arizona

Greetings Alan - Thanks!, we're glad you liked it. We have a slight breeze today so our flag waves proudly today.

Jun 14, 2013 09:18 AM