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