Carol Fisher-Linn
On June 14, 1777, the United States of America approved the design for its first national flag. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed June 14 as the official date for Flag Day and 33 years later, in 1949, Congress permanently established the date at National Flag Day. Times haven’t changed in Congress, have they? Each year, the sitting president proclaims the week of June 14 as National Flag Week. All Americans are encouraged to fly their U.S. flags during the week. If the weather is bad, it should be taken down. It must not touch the ground. If it is not illuminated, it should come down by sunset and go back up after sunrise the following day. In a time of national mourning, it should be flown at half-mast. Check for further protocols at protocolhelp@state.gov.
Never, ever fly a tattered flag. Never. Johnny Cash practically immortalized the beloved song, “Ragged Old Flag,” but, unless your tattered flag has accompanied Washington across the Delaware, or survived the battles at Fort McHenry or New Orleans, The Alamo, Chancellorsville, or Shiloh … if it flew over Flanders Field in WWI, witnessed carnage in WWII, Korea or Nam, then your neglected, disrespected old, tattered flag that just didn’t receive proper care does not count. Please don’t fly it. If it’s still hanging there in shreds, remove it and take it to the local Legion or VFW to be properly disposed of by burning. And, please, fly it on a pole, window, or a building where it can receive the respect it deserves by flying unobstructed.
Throughout history, people have risked their lives to fly the flag. During the Civil War, being a color (flag) bearer was an incredibly prestigious, important, and dangerous assignment. Flags were often made by women from the areas where units were initially raised so the women of their hometowns sent them off to war with a flag they made for their soldiers. Needless to say, the flag took on additional meaning, connecting them to their home, their loved ones and their way of life – giving them even more of a reason to fight. A color bearer carried no weapons – only the flag. They were on the front line, so the men attached to their unit knew where they were on the battlefield. When they couldn’t hear commands because of the noise, they could always see their colors to orient themselves. A color-bearer had to be trusted to stay in front facing the enemy. If they were to break and run for safety, the danger was that the rest of the unit would follow. Should a color-bearer fall in battle, another would immediately take his place. Troops protected the flag at all costs, even giving their lives, knowing how humiliating, and disastrous it would be if their colors got into the hands of the enemy. In about 1911, the United States Army and Marine Corps abandoned using flag bearers in battle.
Who hasn’t stood in awe and respect at the sight of the depiction of the six Marines struggling to hoist the heavy flagpole on top of Mount Suribachi at Iwo Jima on February 23, 1945? And remember the hope we felt after the shock and devastation of 911, when the raising of an American flag by first responders gave us hope, a promise of rebirth, and an acknowledgment of those who lost their lives and those who never hesitated to try to save them. Those two flags told stories that make your heart swell with pride. Just as they fill you with pride so too should the flag you fly at your home or place of business. Keep it clean, crisp, protected from high winds and the elements. It’s worth the effort to take it down when bad weather threatens. Salute it. Fold it properly. Treat it with respect that it, and our country deserves.
If you have driven the New York State Thruway near Syracuse, you may have seen the American flag that may be the largest in NYS! It is so big; it looks like it could cover and entire football stadium. It flies high above the RV store (Camping World) along the NYS Thruway near exit 39. Fly yours with pride and gratitude.