Flag flying label is a real thing

• With America 250 celebrations cranking up this summer season, now is a good time to brush up in your American flag data.

I discovered myself driving up and down I-55 from Madison to downtown Jackson and past greater than I ever imagined. Along that drive, I can not assist however discover the variety of companies flying the American flag. High atop a flagpole, there are small, medium, and huge flags flying excessive in entrance of automotive dealerships, accommodations, workplace buildings, and different companies. Some flags are large (we see yours, Mac Haik Ford). It at all times provides me a sense of patriotism to see them flap within the breeze. The firms usually are not required to fly a flag; it is one thing they do to specific their delight in our nation, the place free enterprise is a good thing.

Many years in the past, I used to be the advertising director at a native shopping center when Sep 11 occurred. Never earlier than or since have I seen such a public outpouring of civic delight, patriotism, and pure love for our nation. People got here collectively as one, united of their allegiance to our flag. People wore flag lapel pins, and we noticed flags the place we had by no means seen them earlier than. Most spectacular to me was the large flag draped from the aspect of St. Dominic’s medical tower.

On that tragic day when our world without end modified, I observed flags at half-mast on my drive house. There was a flagpole in entrance of the mall (there in all probability nonetheless is), and I wasn’t sure of the protocol for flying a flag at half-mast. I recall from my Girl Scout days that the president requires flags to fly at half-mast nationwide. But for a way lengthy?

Believe it or not, Google wasn’t a large thing on September 11, 2001. When I bought into my workplace the following morning, I known as the White House. I used to be directed to their secretary of protocol. She informed me the flags ought to fly at half-mast for 3 days, as per presidential orders.

Fast ahead to final week, Friday, May 15. I used to be driving south on I-55 from Madison to Hal & Mal’s (it was catfish Fri-Yay, y’all, with Jessie Robinson enjoying the blues!). I observed Patty Peck Honda’s large flag flying at half-mast. I did not recall any main information occasions up to now 24 hours that will name for that, so I used to be curious. I observed that not one of the different flags from that time to the Pearl Street exit have been at half-mast. I Googled it after I bought to the parking zone, and it appears the individual accountable for Patty Peck’s flag bought it proper.

Flags have been to fly at half-mast on May 15 in keeping with a nationwide order tied to a federal observance. May 15 is acknowledged as Peace Officers Memorial Day, which falls on the identical date annually. Each flag within the state ought to have been raised at dawn – first to the highest of the flagpole, then lowered to half-mast, the place they need to have remained till sundown, when the flags ought to once more have been raised to the highest of the pole earlier than being lowered, eliminated, and folded correctly. It has been a long-standing apply for states to reflect federal actions; Therefore, flags throughout Mississippi ought to have been flying at half-mast, but Patty Peck’s was the one one I noticed in compliance with the correct flag protocol.

More analysis resulted in invaluable data from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

According to a doc revealed by Veterans Affairs, “An simple solution to bear in mind when to fly the United States flag at half-staff is to think about when the entire nation is in mourning. These durations of mourning are proclaimed both by the president of the United States, for nationwide remembrance, or the governor of a state or territory, for native remembrance, within the occasion of the demise of a member or former member of the federal, state, or territorial authorities or judiciary. The heads of departments and companies of the federal authorities may order that the flag be flown at half-staff on buildings, grounds, and naval vessels underneath their jurisdiction.”

Different public workplaces require a totally different variety of days. For instance, within the occasion of the demise of a president or former president, the flag ought to stay at half-mast for 30 days. Others vary from three to 10 days. A governor could order flags flown at half-mast of their state for a variety of causes.

Flags additionally fly at half-mast for sure federal observances. The subsequent one will likely be Memorial Day (May 25). According to the Veterans Affairs website, “On Memorial Day, the flag should be flown at half-staff from sunrise until noon only, then raised briskly to the top of the staff until sunset, in honor of the nation’s battle heroes.”

The president may order the flag to be flown at half-mast after a tragic occasion, such because the aforementioned Sep 11 tragedy.

I bear in mind watching as a gigantic 30′ x 34′ flag was revealed on the Museum of American History on the Smithsonian in Washington, DC The flag, which is revealed hourly, is often known as The Star-Spangled Banner, and it was the flag that was raised over Fort McHenry in Baltimore on September 14, 1814, that impressed Francis Scott Key to jot down the poem that grew to become our nationwide anthem. The flag had 15 stars and 15 stripes. It was an inspiring sight for me to see.

Since the fourth of July in 1960, our flag has had 13 stripes (seven crimson, six white) to symbolize the unique 13 colonies. There are 50 white stars on a blue background representing the states’ unity inside our nation. Those are primary info about our flag that every one Americans ought to know.

If you could have a flagpole otherwise you show a flag anyplace, you have to observe correct flag label. Fortunately, Google and different serps at the moment are available. To discover all you might want to learn about flag etiquette and protocol, you’ll be able to go to The American Legion website, US Flag website, or the Old Farmer’s Almanac. For specialised data, reminiscent of correct flag disposal, or folding the flag, strive the National Flag Foundation.

Once you learn a few of this data, you may have a higher concept of ​​the requirements of respect for our flag. You’ll know the way to show a flag each indoors and outside, and about stopping and saluting a flag. With America 250 celebrations cranking up this summer season, now is a good time to brush up in your flag data. And whilst you’re at it, cross some data to your youngsters in order that they’ll study to respect the flag as nicely.