Are you flying the flag with respect?

Secretary of State Mark Ritchie released a public service announcement about flag etiquette and asked Minnesotans to proudly display our nation’s flag on Memorial Day to honor our military heroes who gave their lives serving our nation.

“It was just after our nation’s Civil War over 150 years ago that families of those who lost their lives in that terrible conflict began the tradition of decorating soldiers’ graves,” explained Secretary of State Mark Ritchie. “I encourage all Minnesotans to remember our soldiers who did not come home by flying our nation’s flag this Memorial Day.”

Memorial Day, a day that is about coming together to honor those who have died serving in uniform, was first observed on a national basis on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. Congress made Memorial Day a national holiday in the National Holiday Act of 1971. Memorial Day is now observed across the nation on the last Monday in May.

“Whenever our nation has called on its citizens to defend liberty, Minnesotans have been among the first to sign-up and go,” said Secretary of State Mark Ritchie. “These patriots put our nation first in their hearts. This Memorial Day let us join together to show the families of our fallen soldiers that they are first in our hearts by flying the stars and stripes in their honor.”

Download the Flag Etiquette PSA at:

http://www.sos.state.mn.us/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=11545

To order copies of the Flag Etiquette Brochure call 651-201-1324 or download a copy online at: http://www.sos.state.mn.us/Modules/ShowDocument.aspx?documentid=10356

Tags: news, updates, flag