TIME: Almanac 1990/1990 Time Magazine Compact Almanac, The (1991)(Time).iso/time/cal/flag

Text File | 1980-01-03 | 12KB | 242 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.