Our Flag

With Veteran’s Day and our Christmas Parade coming up your local VFW Auxiliary #257 would like to remind all of you of some proper etiquette for our Flag (Old Glory). The flag is very much a part of our daily lives. We should always respect it because it represents everything we are as Americans – everything we hope to be.

“Display Flag only from sunrise to sunset, unless it is illuminated during the hours of darkness in which case it may be displayed continuously.”

The flag should be hoisted brikly and lowered ceremoniously.

The flag should be displayed on all special days:

Jan. 1 – New Year’s Day, Jan. 20 – Inauguration Day, Third Monday in January – Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, Feb. 12 – Lincoln’s birthday, Third Monday in February – Washington’s birthday, Variable – Easter, Second Sunday in May – Mother’s Day, Third Saturday in May – Armed Forces Day, Last Monday in May, Memorial Day (half-staff until noon), June 14 – Flag Day, July 4 – Independence Day, First Monday in September – Labor Day, Sept. 17 – Columbus Day, Oct. 27 – Navy Day, Nov. 11 – Veteran’s Day, Forth Thursday in November – Thanksgiving Day and Dec. 25 – Christmas.

And such other days as may be proclaimed by the President of the United States: the birthdays of States (date of admission); and on State holidays.

The flag should not be displayed is weather in inclement except with an all weather flag.

In or during a parade one should rise, remove any headdress and salute each flag carried in a parade, put your right hand over your heart. Military persons in uniform or retired military should remain silent, face the flag and render the military salute.

Never use the flag as decorations or advertising material.

Never allow it to touch the ground.

The American flag is always to be at the right of other flags.

When it is wore or torn it should be destroyed in a dignified way.

VFW Post #257 periodically holds a flag burning ceremony. Please contact a Post member for this service or bring your flag to the Post on Friday evening from 5-6 p.m.

So, when you attend the next Veteran’s Day assembly or watch a parade like the Christmas parade, when the American Flag is present, please think of the sacrifices made by countless men and women who fought to protect your freedoms and still are represented by that flag. Show respect by standing at attention, removing a cap, saluting and setting a good example for others in the crowd.