Flag Day is Monday

A Flag Day ceremony will take place at the Veterans Memorial at the Douglas County Fairgrounds on Monday, June 14 at 6:15 p.m.

Everyone is welcome to participate by bringing worn, torn or soiled, unserviceable flags for proper disposal.

This event is sponsored by Veterans Council and Elks Lodge.

For more information, contact Owen Miller, Veterans Council president, at (320) 763-4845.

Q & A ABOUT THE FLAG

Before taking part in special observances, residents may want to know a little more about how to treat the flag.

Are you giving the flag its proper respect? Do you know what to do when the flag passes by in a parade or how to properly display Old Glory?

Alexandria American Legion Post 87 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 936 compiled some frequently asked questions and answers about flag etiquette.

“The proper display of the flag is very important to the veterans who so proudly served in the military, now living in Douglas County and the surrounding area,” noted Kenneth Voigt with the American Legion.

How should the flag be saluted by citizens, those in uniform and non-citizens?

According to the Flag Code, Americans should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. When not in uniform, men should remove any non-religious headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute. Those who are not U.S. citizens should stand at attention.

What is the significance of displaying the flag at half-staff?

This gesture is a sign to indicate the nation mourns the death of an individual(s), such as death of the president or former president, vice president, Supreme Court justice, member of Congress, secretary of an executive or military department, etc. Only the president or a state governor may order the flag to be displayed at half-staff.

May a person, other than a veteran, have his or her casket draped with the flag of the United States?

Yes. Although this honor is usually reserved for veterans or highly regarded state and national figures, the Flag Code does not prohibit this use.

What is meant by “flag’s own right?”

The “right” as the position of honor developed from the time when the right hand was the “weapon hand” or “point of danger.” The right hand, raised without a weapon, was a sign of peace. The right hand, to any observer, is the observer’s left. Therefore, as used in the Flag Code, the flag and/or blue field is displayed to the observer’s left, which is the flag’s own right.

Is it proper to fly the U.S. flag at night?

The Flag Code states it is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flag staffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness

How are unserviceable flags destroyed?

The Flag Code suggests that when a flag has served its useful purpose, “it should be destroyed, preferably by burning.” For individual citizens, this should be done discreetly so the act of destruction is not perceived as a protest or desecration.

Many American Legion posts conduct disposal of unserviceable flag ceremonies on June 14, Flag Day. Such ceremonies are particularly dignified and solemn occasions for the retirement of unserviceable flags.

Is it appropriate to fly a flag that has fewer than 50 stars?

Yes. Official United States flags are always considered living, active flags. From the Betsy Ross flag to the present 50-star flag, any flag that at some time was the current active flag is still considered a living flag to be accorded all due respect.

Why do we stand and put our right hand on our hearts when we say the Pledge of Allegiance? And where did this tradition originate?

The original Bellamy salute, first described in 1892 by Francis Bellamy, who authored the original pledge, began with a military salute, and after reciting the words “to the flag,” the arm was extended toward the flag, palm-down.

Tags: hot events, flag day, entertainment, events, flag, alexandria, veterans