How’s your flag etiquette?

By Michael Turton

In a country that so values the Stars and Stripes as a national symbol, the annual celebration of Flag Day on June 14 is remarkably low-key — unless you live Hudson or Saratoga, New York, or Waubeka, Wisconsin.

In Hudson, Flag Day was observed on June 10 with festivities that included a 10-band parade and fireworks over the river. On the same day Saratoga held its 50th annual Flag Day parade.

A field of flags (Photo by M. Turton)

In 1861, Charles Dudley Warner, a newspaper editor in Hartford, Connecticut, suggested the establishment of a national holiday on June 14 to mark the day in 1777 when Congress adopted the U.S. flag:

“Resolved: That the flag of the United States be made of 13 stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be 13 stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.”

FIRST FLAG? — The Grand Union Flag, a.k.a. the Continental Colors, was hoisted on the ship Alfred in Philadelphia on Dec. 2, 1775 by Lt. John Paul Jones.

But the idea didn’t take off until 1885, when Bernard Cigrand, a 19-year-old teacher in Waubeka, first had his students write essays on the significance of the flag, which then had 38 stars.

Cigrand devoted the rest of his life to promoting the flag, giving more than 2,000 speeches and founding the National Flag Day Association. In 1916 President Woodrow Wilson gave the day official recognition. In 2004, Congress named Waubeka as the birthplace of Flag Day.

Treatment and handling of the flag is governed by U.S. Code Title 4, Chapter 1. It is considered advisory, as there are no penalties for violations.

The do’s

  • When the flags of two or more nations that are at peace are displayed, each must be the same size and on a separate pole of the same height.
  • When displayed with local, state or society flags, the U.S. flag should be at the center and highest point.
  • When displaying the flag against a wall or in a window, vertically or horizontally, the union (stars) should be at the top and to the left.
  • On Memorial Day the flag should be flown at half-staff until noon.
  • If a flag is displayed after dark, it should be lit.
  • The flag should be displayed on or near the main building of every public institution.
  • A flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen and members of patriotic organizations.
  • A lapel pin should be worn on the left lapel, near the heart.
Don’t tread on me.

The don’ts

  • The flag should never be dipped for any person, flag or vessel.
  • When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms.
  • The flag should never be used as apparel, bedding or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back or up, folded, but always be left to fall freely.
  • The flag should not be used in advertising.
  • No part of the flag should be used as a costume or athletic uniform.
  • The flag should not be used for decoration. Instead, use bunting with the blue on top, then white, then red.
  • The flag should never be flown upside down except as a sign of distress.
This should not happen.

Proper disposal

When the flag is in poor condition, it should be destroyed in a dignified manner, preferably by burning.

Philipstown residents can drop off tattered or faded flags at the Cold Spring Village Hall, 85 Main St., through July 3 during business hours. They will be ceremoniously retired after the 4th of July.

Behind The Story

Type: News

News: Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.

Turton, who has been a reporter for The Current since its founding in 2010, moved to Philipstown from his native Ontario in 1998. Location: Cold Spring. Languages: English. Area of expertise: Cold Spring government, features