Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Fly Your Flag Respectfully

Most people of all countries take their national flag seriously. It is flown with respect and certain regulations are followed with its display. There are certain restrictions to a nation's flag, too, such as how and when it should be taken down and how it is to be disposed of.

Everything concerning the flag is to be done with respect and dignity.

Jorge Nassar, when he took office as Mayor of Prescott several years ago, insisted that businesses and industry fly the Stars and Stripes. Families were encouraged to display the colors appropriately at home.

Jesse Steed, when he and his wife Dollie owned Liberty Valu-Mart, flew a giant flag that was left up 24 hours a day under a spotlight; the only way the flag can remain outdoors all the time is when it is illuminated.

Flying the flag with respect, it should:

• never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal;
• not be used as a drapery, or for covering a speaker's desk, draping a platform, or for any decoration in general;
• should never be used for any advertising purpose;
• not be used as a part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen and members of patriotic organizations;
• never have placed on it, or attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind;
• never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying or delivering anything;
• not touch the ground or any other object when it is lowered it should be received by waiting hands and arms, stored by folding neatly and ceremoniously; and
• be cleaned and mended when necessary.

Most American Legion Posts regularly conduct a dignified flag burning ceremony, often on Flag Day, June 14.