TIME: Almanac 1993/TIME Almanac 1993.iso/time/us/fed/flag

Text File | 1992-01-02 | 11.2 KB | 248 lines

                                                                                The Flag and Pledge of Allegiance



   The pledge received official recognition by Congress in an
Act of June 22, 1942. The Phrase "under God" was added to the
pledge by a Congressional Act of June 14, 1954. At that time,
President Eisenhower said that "in this way we are reaffirming
the transcendence of religious faith in America's heritage and
future; in this way we shall constantly strengthen those
spiritual weapons which forever will be our country's most
powerful resource in peace and war."

   On suitable occasions repeat this pledge to the flag:

   "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."

   The wording of the pledge varies slightly from the original,
which was drawn up in 1892 in the office of "The Youth's
Companion" in Boston. It was first used in the public schools in
celebration of Columbus Day, October 12, 1892.


The First Stars and Stripes

   The Stars and Stripes, whose birthday we observe on June 14,
was created on that date, in 1777, when the Continental Congress
resolved: "That the flag of the thirteen United States be
thirteen stripes, alternate red and white: that the union be
thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new
constellation." The first Army flag had the stars arranged in a
circle presumably based on the idea that no colony should take
precedence. The first Navy Stars and Stripes, flown by the man-
of-war "Guerriere" when she sailed from Boston on July 25, 1818,
for Cowes, England, had the stars arranged in staggered formation
in alternate lines and rows of threes and twos on the field of
blue. However, on September 9, 1818, the Board of Navy
Commissioners received a directive from President Monroe that
"the Flag of the United States shall conform to the pattern,
herewith transmitted, viz: twenty stars in a blue union, and
thirteen stripes, red and white, alternately, according to the
Act of Congress passed on the fourth of April last; of which you
will please to give due notice to the Naval Commanders, and the
necessary directions for making the Flags."


How To Display The Flag

   Laws have been written to govern the use of the flag and to
insure a proper respect for the Stars and Stripes. Custom has
decreed certain other observances in regard to its use.

   All the Services have precise regulations regarding the
display of the National flag, which may vary somewhat from the
general rules below.

   Respect your flag and render it the courtesies to which it
is entitled by observing the following rules:

   The National flag should be raised and lowered by hand.  Do
not raise the flag while it is furled. Unfurl, then hoist
quickly to the top of the staff. Lower it slowly and with
dignity. Place no objects on or over the flag. A speaker's
table is sometimes covered with the flag. This practice should
be avoided.

   When displayed in the chancel or on a platform in a church,
the flag should be placed on a staff at the clergyman's right;
other flags at his left. If displayed in the body of the church,
the flag should be at the congregation's right as they face the
clergyman.

   When displayed over the middle of the street, the flag
should be suspended vertically with the union to the north in an
east and west street, or to the east in a north and south street.

   When displayed with another flag from crossed staffs, the
flag of the United States of America should be on the right (the
flag's own right) and its staff should be in front of the staff
of the other flag.

   When it is to be flown at half-mast, the flag should be
hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-
mast position; but before lowering the flag for the day it should
again be raised to the peak. By half-mast is meant hauling down
the flag one-half the distance between the top and the bottom of
the staff. On Memorial Day display at half-mast until noon only;
then hoist to the top of staff.

   When flags of states or cities or pennants of societies are
flown on the same halyard with the flag of the United States of
America, the latter should always be at the peak. When flown
from adjacent staffs the Stars and Stripes should be hoisted
first and lowered last.

   When the flag is suspended over a sidewalk from a rope
extending from house to pole at the edge of the sidewalk, the
flag should be hoisted out from the building, toward the pole,
union first.

   When the flag is displayed from a staff projecting
horizontally or at any angle from the window sill, balcony, or
front of a building, the union of the flag should go to peak of
the staff (unless the flag is to be displayed at half-mast.

   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 is displayed in a manner other than by being
flown from a staff, it should be displayed flat, whether indoors
or out. When displayed either horizontally or vertically against
a wall, the union should be uppermost and to the flag's own
right, that is, to the observer's left. When displayed in a
window it should be displayed in the same way, that is, with the
union or blue field to the left of the observer in the street.
When festoons, rosettes or drapings are desired, bunting of blue,
white and red should be used, but never the flag.

   When carried in a procession with another flag or flags, the
Stars and Stripes should be either on the marching right, or when
there is a line of other flags, in front of the center of that
line.

   When a number of flags of states or cities or pennants of
societies are grouped and displayed from staffs with our National
flag, the latter should be at the center or at the highest point
of the group.

   When the flags of two or more nations are displayed they
should be flown from separate staffs of the same height, and the
flags should be of approximately equal size. International usage
forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of
another nation in time of peace.

   The flag should never be displayed with the union down
except as a signal of dire distress.

   Do not use the flag as a portion of a costume or athletic
uniform. Do not embroider it upon cushions or hankerchiefs nor
print it on paper napkins or boxes.

   A federal law provides that a trademark cannot be registered
which consists of, or comprises among other things, "the flag,
coat-of-arms or other insignia of the United States, or any
simulation thereof."

   When the flag is used in unveiling a statute or monument, it
should not serve as a covering of the object to be unveiled. If
it is displayed on such occasions, do not allow the flag to fall
to the ground, but let it be carried aloft to form a feature of
the ceremony.

   Take every precaution to prevent the flag from becoming
soiled.  It should not be allowed to touch the ground or floor,
nor to brush against objects.

   The flag should not be dipped to any person or thing, with
one exception: Navy vessels, upon receiving a salute of this
type from a vessel registered by a nation formally recognized by
the United States, must return the compliment.

   When carried, the flag should always be aloft and free--
never flat or horizontal.

   Never use the flag as drapery of any sort whatsoever.
Bunting of blue, white, and red--arranged with the blue above,
the white in the middle, and the red below--should be used for
such purposes of decoration as covering a speaker's desk or
draping the front of a platform.

   Do not use the flag as a receptacle for receiving, holding,
carrying, or delivering anything. Never place upon the flag, or
attach to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design,
picture, or drawing of any nature.

   No other flag may be flown above the Stars and Stripes,
except: (1) the United Nations flag at U.N. Headquarters; (2)
the church pennant, a dark blue cross on a white background,
during church services conducted by naval chaplains at sea.


Other Approved Customs

   Highest honors are rendered to the National flag by all
branches of the Armed Forces and the various patriotic societies
throughout the country.

   More than fifty years ago it was the custom to salute the
National flag by uncovering; nowadays the hand salute is rendered
by the entire personnel of the Armed Forces.

   During the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the flag, or
when the flag is passing in a parade or in a review, those
present in uniform should render the right-hand salute. When not
in uniform, men should remove their headdress with the right hand
and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart;
women should place the right hand over the heart.

   The flag should be displayed only from sunrise to sunset, or
between such hours as may be designated by proper authority.

   The flag can be displayed on all days when the weather
permits, especially on New Year's Day, January 1; Inauguration
Day, January 20; Lincoln's Birthday, February 12; Washington's
Birthday, February 22; Easter Sunday (variable); Mother's Day,
second Sunday in May; Armed Forces Day, third Saturday in May;
Memorial Day (half-staff until noon), May 30; Flag Day, June 14;
Independence Day, July 4; Labor Day, first Monday in September;
Constitution and Citizenship Day, September 17; Columbus Day,
October 12; Veterans Day, November 11; Thanksgiving Day, fourth
Thursday in November; Christmas Day, December 25; such other days
as may be proclaimed by the President of the United States; the
birthdays of States (dates of admission); and on State holidays.

   The custom of lowering the flag to half-mast or half-staff
comes from the old military practice of "Striking the Colors" in
time of war as a sign of submission. It is known that as early
as 1627 the flying of the flag at half-mast was a sign of
mourning, and this has been continued to the present day.

   If a serviceman or woman dies during a period of service,
the flag is furnished by the Service. However, if he or she dies
as an honorably discharged veteran, the flag is furnished by the
Veterans Administration, Washington, D.C., and may be procured
from the nearest post office by executing properly Veterans
Administration Form 2008. In filling out the application the
person signing for the flag must state whether he is the next of
kin or if another relative, giving kinship. The flag must be
presented to the next of kin at the proper time during the burial
service. If there is no relative, or one cannot be located, the
flag must be returned to the Veterans Administration in the
franked container for that purpose.

   Postmasters require proof of honorable discharge before
issuing the flag. Flags are issued promptly upon proper
evidence.

   Many of the Nation's drycleaners, in cooperation with the
American Legion, will dryclean the National flag free of charge
between June 1 and 12, provided the owner of the flag promises to
fly it on Flag Day, June 14.