Concerning Flag Etiquette

At a recent patriotic rally, the flag was draped over a speaker’s table and used as a table-cloth, a pitcher of water being placed upon it. Certainly no one will say that any disrespect was intended but the veterans feel that nothing should be placed above the flag—excepting the Bible. When persons of known patriotism prove themselves amiss in the etiquette that is due the flag, there is, of course, no occasion for censure other than a mild remonstrance from the veterans to whom the flag has an especial significance because they have stood beside men who died for it. -Photo Pinterest

Letter Concerning  Flag Etiquette

July 17, 1918 

Editor, The Coronado Strand, Dear Sir: —Coronado’s camp of the United Spanish War veterans has noted from time to time certain minor infractions of flag etiquette, which it believes the public would be glad to know about. When persons of known patriotism prove themselves amiss in the etiquette that is due the flag, there is, of course, no occasion for censure other than a mild remonstrance from the veterans to whom the flag has an especial significance because they have stood beside men who died for it. 

At a recent patriotic rally here the flag was draped over a speaker’s table and used as a table-cloth, a pitcher of water being placed upon it. Certainly no one will say that any disrespect was intended but the veterans feel that nothing should be placed above the flag—excepting the Bible. The government has laws covering this point and we have found no specific ruling that permits of placing a bible above the flag, but the practice is general in lodges and seems to meet with no objection. The regulations for the holding of meetings by veterans require it. In the navy, the church flag, when used, goes above the ensign. 

More than a few good patriots hoist flags over their homes or places of business and then appear to consider that their duty is done. There are some flags that have never been hauled down and that look as though they meant nothing to the owners. Some are almost blown to pieces and one is so far gone there is nothing to prove that it ever was a flag, but the owner would fight like a wildcat if anyone called him a German. 

Uncle Sam says to burn up the old. One of the most patriotic and most respected citizens has a flag festooned over his front door. This is not a terrible offense but the government authorities are on record against the practice of sticking up the flag in fancy twists and bows. There are any number of good patriots who have little flags nailed to their front porches ever since last Fourth of July or the Fourth of July before that. Those flags look about the way the whole country would look if the Germans won out. 

Respectfully yours, 

Bertram Holmes, Patriotic Instructor and Past Commander, Coronado Camp, No. 59, Dept, of Cal., U.S.W.V. U. S. Fliers Guard, Paris. -Coronado Eagle and Journal, 1918 

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

Flag Etiquette and Respect

"This service flag is published in honor of the 69 employees of The Evening Herald who are serving their country." —  9 / 11 / 1914, The Los Angeles Evening Herald 

More Attention Should Be Paid to Flag Etiquette

Many persons who do not mean to show disrespect to the flag, nevertheless do so. Here and there, all through the city, one sees flags flying which the rains have stained and the winds have whipped into rags. Evidently those who hoisted the flags have left them to the rough treatment of the elements, never giving themselves the trouble to take the emblems down either at night or in bad weather. 

Now, the flag is not simply a piece of bunting or merely an evidence of its owner’s patriotism, the flag is the actual symbol of the nation, of the nation’s history, of its renown, of its dignity, of its sovereignty and of all that is embodied in its traditions and its laws. Therefore, the flag should be treated with respect. 

The right way to do is to hoist the flag in the morning and to lower it and fold it away in the evening. The technical times for raising and lowering the flag are sunrise and sunset. But it is not at all necessary that civilians should follow this rule with exact fidelity. Sufficient respect is shown to the flag by raising it at some time in the morning and lowering it at some time in the evening, and protecting it from being made an unsightly and ragged thing by winds and storms. 

A flag that through long use becomes discolored and worn out, should be folded up and put away and another substituted for it. In one sense this is not a large matter or an important matter. But in another sense it is important. None of us can ever show too much respect for the national emblem, and more particularly in these strenuous times of war every one of us should treat this symbol of our country’s sovereignty and institutions and liberties with all possible respect and care. 

Protect your flag. Raise it and lower it at the proper time. Show it every possible respect. —From The Los Angeles Evening Herald, September 11, 1918

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J Graber, is the Site Moderator and Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia 

American Flag Etiquette and Protocol

"Standing at attention, raise the right hand to the forehead over the right eye, palm downward, fingers extended and close together, arm at an angle of forty-five degrees. Move hand outward about a foot, with a quick motion then drop to the side. When the colors are passing on parade or in review, the spectator should, if walking, halt, if sitting, arise, and stand at attention and uncover." 

The flag is displayed every day only on government buildings and schoolhouses. 

On state holidays, and like commemorative days when it is customary for the flag to be displayed on private buildings, it should be raised at sunrise and lowered at sunset. 

It should not be displayed on stormy days, nor left out over night. 

It should never be allowed to touch the ground. 

When it is to be displayed at half-mast only, it should be raised to the tip of the staff and then lowered halfway. 

It should never be festooned or draped, but always be hung flat. 

On Memorial Day, May 30, the flag should be displayed at half-mast until twelve o'clock noon, and then raised to the top of the staff until sunset. 

The salute for the changing of the position of the flag at all army posts and stations having artillery, is as follows: 

Immediately before noon, the band plays some appropriate air, and at the stroke of twelve the national salute of twenty-one guns is fired. After this the flag is hoisted to the peak of the staff, while everybody stands at attention, with hand raised to the forehead ready for the salute. When the colors reach the top, the salute is given, and the band plays patriotic airs. The salute to the flag is used at its formal raising, and when it passes on parade or in review. 

The hand salute according to the regulations of the United States Army is as follows: 

"Standing at attention, raise the right hand to the forehead over the right eye, palm downward, fingers extended and close together, arm at an angle of forty-five degrees. Move hand outward about a foot, with a quick motion then drop to the side. When the colors are passing on parade or in review, the spectator should, if walking, halt, if sitting, arise, and stand at attention and uncover." 

In schools two forms of salute are taught. The first, for primary children, is: 

"We give our heads and our hearts to God and our country; one country, one land, one flag." 

The second, for all other pupils, is: 

"I pledge allegiance to my flag and to the Republic for which it stands: one nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." 

When the flag is carried on parade, it is dipped in salute to the official who is reviewing the parade. 

Whenever the flag is displayed with other flags, whether the colors of a regiment or other military organization, or of alien nations, it should be placed, or carried, or crossed, at the right of the other flag or flags. 

When portrayed in illustrations by any process or for any purpose, it is so pictured that the staff will always be at the left and the fabric will float to the right. 

The chief regulations governing the composition of the flag are as follows: 

In the field of the flag there should be thirteen horizontal stripes, alternating red and white, the first and the last stripes red. These stripes represent the thirteen original colonies. The colors red and white were chosen by George Washington, the red from the flag of England, the Mother Country, broken by the white, symbolizing liberty, to show the separation. 

The union of the flag; white stars on a field of blue; should be seven stripes high, and about seven-tenths of the height of the flag in length. "The stars should have five points, with one point directly upward." The stars symbolize the States. "By an act of Congress on October 26, 1912, the flag now has forty-eight stars, arranged in six horizontal rows of eight each." – From Edith Ordway,"The Etiquette of To-Day", 1918

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J Graber, is the Site Moderator and Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia