How do you do a flag raising ceremony?
To salute the flag, stand at attention and place your right hand over your heart. Salute the flag when it is being raised or lowered, passes you in a parade, and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Salute when you sing “The Star-Spangled Banner,” with or without the flag present.
Can you leave a flag up at night?
The Flag Code states it is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flag staffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.
What does the American Legion do with old flags?
Many American Legion posts conduct disposal ceremonies of unserviceable flags, especially on Flag Day (June 14). Such ceremonies are particularly dignified and solemn occasions for the retirement of unserviceable flags. Take your old flags to your local American Legion post.
What should you do during flag raising and retreat ceremonies?
During the flag-retreat, the flag should be lowered slowly so that the flag will be down the mast at the sound of the last note of the anthem. Those in the assembly shall observe the same deportment or shall execute the same salute as required of them in the flag raising ceremony; 4.
Why should the flag raising be conducted?
The Flag Ceremony should be given utmost importance for it reflects our love for our country, and that it is one of the ways to value the sacrifices of the people who died protecting and defending our country. It honors the symbol of our country, all the hopes, dreams and the people it represents.
Is it OK to leave a flag out in the rain?
Traditional guidelines call for displaying the flag in public only from sunrise to sunset. The flag should not be subject to weather damage, so it should not be displayed during rain, snow and wind storms unless it is an all-weather flag.
How do you dispose of POW MIA flags?
The United States Code stipulates, “When a U.S. flag is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, it should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.”
Why did the American Legion adopt the unserviceable flag ceremony?
The purpose of The American Legion in adopting this ceremony was to encourage proper respect for the Flag of the United States and to provide for disposal of unserviceable flags in a dignified manner.
When is Flag Day at the American Legion?
Following is the entire ceremony as it appears in the “Manual of Ceremonies.” We encourage your use of the ceremony on Flag Day, June 14, on an annual basis. By doing so, you will enhance respect to the flag in your community and provide a much-needed service to those who have flags needing to be retired.
When was the ceremony for disposal of unserviceable flags passed?
The Ceremony for Disposal of Unserviceable Flags is outlined in Resolution No. 440, passed by the 19th National Convention of The American Legion in New York, Sept. 20-23, 1937. The ceremony has been an integral part of American Legion ritual since that date.
Is the American Legion a program of Americanism?
WHEREAS, Americanism has been and should continue to be one of the major programs of The American Legion; and WHEREAS, The observance of proper respect for the Flag of our country and the education of our citizenry in the proper courtesies to be paid the Flag is an essential element of such Americanism program; and