The American Flag

Care & Use of the American Flag The flag of the United States of America is a very important symbol. Its stripes symbolize the rays of the sun. There are thirteen of them, to represent the thirteen original colonies which got their freedom from England. The stars represent each state in the Union as well as being symbols of the goals people set. The flag itself is a symbol of our nation and its democratic ideals. Because the flag has such special meaning, it's treated in special ways. You can help people show respect and love for the flag by displaying it at your home and business on a regular basis, and especially on patriotic days. 

SALUTING THE FLAG During the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the flag, or when the flag is passing by, stand at attention and salute. Salute by placing the right hand over the heart. If it is impossible to SEE the flag for the salute, persons should NOT salute but stand at attention. As soon as the bugle call begins, any individuals NOT at the flag area should STAND AT ATTENTION, saluting if they can see the flag from that spot. If they cannot see the flag without straining the head upward, they wait at attention until the ceremony is over. Pledge of Allegiance: This is recited at Flag Raising after the flag has reached its highest peak. All recite the Pledge in unison, remaining in the salute position until it has been completed. Stand at attention and salute when the flag is being raised or lowered, when the flag passes in a parade and when the national anthem, "The Star Spangled Banner", is played. Salute by placing your right hand over your heart. Men and boys take off their hats. Women and girls do not. 

THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: "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" Sometimes "The Star Spangled Banner" is played when the flag is not present. When this happens, face the music and salute. 

DISPLAYING THE FLAG Always give the flag of the United States the place of honor when you display it with other flags. It should be placed to the right of other flags, in front of other flags or higher than other flags. To the right means to your right as you stand holding the flag in front of you and facing the people who will see it. In front means that you always carry the American flag first or place it a little ahead in a line of flags. Higher means that the American flag is a little larger or it is on a taller pole or a platform. 

OTHER TIPS ABOUT THE FLAG 

Fly the flag only from sunrise to sunset and only when good weather permits. 

A flag can be flown at night if it is lighted. 

Do not use the flag as drapery for a platform or as clothing. Do not embroider it on items or print it on napkins or anything designed for temporary use. 

Take every precaution to prevent a flag from being soiled. Do not let it touch the ground or brush against objects.

When a flag is damaged or too worn for use, dispose of it in a dignified way, preferably by burning. 

Caskets - When the flag is used to cover a casket, it should be so placed that the union is at the head and over the left shoulder. The flag should not be lowered into the grave or allowed to touch the ground. 

When the flag of the untied states is displayed from a staff projections horizontally or at an angle from the window sill, balcony or front of the building, the union of the flag should be placed at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half- staff. 

When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall , the union should be the uppermost and the flag's own right, that is to the observers left. 

When displayed in a window the flag should be displayed the same way with the union, or blue field to the left of the observer on the street. 

When the flag is displayed over the middle of the street, it should be suspended vertically with the union to the North in an East West street or to the east in a North to south street. 

FLAG RAISING AND LOWERING The raising and lowering of the flag is a Work Activity in some camps, a Special Event in others, and an Inspirational Activity in others. This ceremony is one that has great meaning for campers. For many campers, it is the only time in their lives that they ever touch the flag or have a part in a formal flag ceremony. Flag raising and lowering is usually done by a cabin group, a representative group from a unit, or special campers selected for the occasion. The method for selecting campers to raise and lower the flag is usually done during pre-camp training. Since this is a special occasion in the camp day, campers and counselors should look their very best. In many camps, the official camp costume is requested for flag lowering as this is done just prior to the evening meal. 

SUGGESTED ORDER FOR RAISING AND LOWERING THE FLAG Entrance: Buglers enter the flag area, campers take their places, color guards enter. As the buglers blow "To the Colors" or "Retreat", the color guards raise or lower the flag. Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge is recited at flag raising and follows the raising of the flag to its greatest height. All campers stand at attention while the flag is hoisted, then recite the Pledge. A poem, a reading, a story, or an interesting item about the flag, our country, or the camp is read to the entire camp by the speakers who are forward in the flag area. Following the poem, reading, or story, a song is sung. The music counselor leads the songs to be sung at these ceremonies. After the song, the color guards leave the flag pole area, followed by the buglers, who are followed by others taking part. Campers who observed the ceremony then fall in the march to the dining room. 

HONORING THE FLAG Display the flag from sunrise to sunset. Weather permitting, it should be displayed every day, especially on special occasions. 

HOIST BRISKLY - LOWER CEREMONIOUSLY. Do not let the flag touch anything beneath it such as the ground, floor, or water. 

HOW TO FOLD AN AMERICAN FLAG Flags are more than scraps of colorful cloth: they're supposed to mean something -- to symbolize the country itself. The United States is no exception: the simple act of folding the national flag requires a unique ritual with its own rules and regulations. If the end result isn't a neat triangle (supposedly reminiscent of our forefathers' tricorner hats), you've don't it wrong. It's best to fold the flag with a partner; hold two corners of the flag and he/he holds the other two at about waist level. The flag should be parallel to the ground, and the sides facing both of you should be the shorter ones. 

FOLD WIDTHWISE TWICE Raise the side of the flag that normally hangs on the bottom, the side entirely covered by stripes, over the side with the "union" on it. Grab the new corner you have made along the crease so that again the flag is parallel to the ground, all-stripe side up. Repeat this widthwise fold so that the union is now on either side, half facing the ground and half facing the sky. Now fold the flag in a series of triangles. To do it scrupulously correct, you've got to start the folding at a specific point. Start at the striped end of your rectangle. Take the corner of the closed side and bring it diagonally over to the open side, forming a triangular flap. Take the pointy corner and fold it down, over the other triangular fold, to create a straight edge once again. Now repeat this folding process, switching corners with each fold, until just a blue square of the union is showing out from the triangular fold. All you've got left is the final fold. The person on the union end of the flag will take the corner on the open leg and fold it down along the edge of the other leg to form a triangle. He/she then tucks the remaining blue tab under the folds of the thick triangle until the flag is a neat triangle and can't easily unravel. Store the flag in a safe place, and when you want to raise it or use it again, unfold it using these steps in the opposite direction.

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