Salute The Flag!

Flag Day: In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that established a nationwide observance of Flag Day on June 14. Flag Day is the day we set aside each year to honor our American flag and reflect on the role it fulfills in the values of our society. It is a symbol of what our country is all about, born on June 14, 1777.

On June 14, 1977, the Second Continental Congress passed a resolution stating that the flag of the United States should be 13 stripes, alternate red and white and that the union be 13 stars, white in a blue field.

The stripes represent the 13 original colonies, while the 50 stars represent the number of states. Why red, white and blue? To the original members of the Continental Congress, red stood for hardiness and courage, white for purity and innocence, and blue for vigilance and justice.

How to display a flag: According to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (http://www.vfw.org/Flag/), the federal flag code says the universal custom is to display the U.S. flag from sunrise to sunset on buildings and stationary flagstaffs in the open, but when a patriotic effect is desired the flag may be displayed 24-hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness. Also, the U.S. flag should not be displayed when the weather is inclement, except when an all-weather flag is displayed.

On Same Staff: U.S. flag at peak, above any other flag.
Grouped: U.S. flag goes to its own right. Flags of other nations are flown at same height.
Marching: U.S. flag to marchers right (observer’s left).
On Speaker’s Platform: When the flag is displayed with a speaker’s platform, it must be above and behind the speaker. If mounted on a staff, it is on the speaker’s right.
Decoration: Never use the flag for decoration. Instead use bunting with the blue on top, then white, then red.
Salute: All persons present in uniform should render the military salute. Members of the armed forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute. All other persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, or if applicable, remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart.
Over a Street: Union (stars) face north or east depending on the direction of the street.
Half Staff: On special days, the flag may be flown at half-staff. On Memorial Day it is flown at half-staff until noon and then raised.
Other:
Do not let the flag touch the ground.
Do not fly flag upside down unless there is an emergency.
Do not carry the flag flat, or carry things in it.
Do not use the flag as clothing.
Do not store the flag where it can get dirty.
Do not use it as a cover.
Do not fasten it or tie it back. Always allow it to fall free.
Do not draw on, or otherwise mark the flag.

How to Dispose of a Flag:

• The flag should be folded in its customary manner.
• (Build a fire.) It is important that the fire be fairly large and of sufficient intensity to ensure complete burning of the flag.
• Place the flag on the fire.
• The individual(s) can come to attention, salute the flag, recite the Pledge of Allegiance and have a brief period of silent reflection.
• After the flag is completely consumed, the fire should then be safely extinguished and the ashes buried.
• Please make sure you are conforming to local/state fire codes or ordinances.

A flag was officially raised for the first time at the Connecticut Trees of Honor Memorial unveiling ceremony in October, 2014. Small flags were placed at each monument for Memorial Day at the Connecticut Trees of Honor Memorial in Middletown:

Illuminated flags fly each day hovering over the trees and monuments at the Connecticut Trees of Honor Memorial:

Visit: Ct. Trees Of Honor’s Website!

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