The Pledge of Allegiance

"I pledge allegiance to the flag
of the United States of America
and to the republic for which it stands,
one nation under God,
indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all."

When rendering the pledge of allegiance,
persons should stand at attention, face the flag,
and, if in uniform, salute,
or otherwise place the right hand over the heart.
Persons wearing the caps of veterans' service organizations,
such as the Disabled American Veterans,
are expected to salute.
Others, such as Boy or Girl Scouts in uniform,
should render respect to the flag in accordance
with the traditions of the organization
whose uniform they are wearing.

The Pledge of Allegiance received official
recognition from Congress on June 22, 1942.
The phrase, "under God," was added to the pledge
by Congress on June 14, 1954,
by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who said that
"in this way we are reaffirming the transcendence
of religious faith in America's heritage and future;
in this way we shall constantly strengthen
those spiritual weapons which forever will be
our country's most powerful resource in peace and war."



The National Anthem
"The Star Spangled Banner"

During the playing of the anthem
when the flag is displayed,
persons not in uniform should stand at attention
facing the flag with their right hand over their heart.
Those in uniform should begin saluting the flag
at the first note of the music,
and hold the salute until
the last note of the anthem is played.



Displaying the Flag

When displaying the flag,
it is important to remember certain guidelines
of proper flag etiquette.
They are:
When on display or carried in a procession
with other flags,
the flag should be positioned
to its own right.
Also, it should be placed to the right
of a speaker or staging area,
while other flags are placed to the left.
When the flag is displayed from a staff projecting
horizontally from a window sill,
balcony, or building, the stars of the flag
should be placed at the peak of the staff
unless the flag is at half staff.
The flag should be at the center and
at the highest point of the group
when a number of flags of states,
localities, or societies
are grouped for display.
When the flag is displayed either
vertically or horizontally against a wall,
the stars should be placed at the top
of the flag's right and the observer's left.
When the flag is unfurled for display
across a street, it should be hung
vertically, with the stars to the north or east.
When the flag is flown with flags of other nations,
they are to be displayed from separate staffs
of the same height,
and each should be of equal size.
International law forbids the display
of the flag of one nation
to be flown above that of another nation
during time of peace.
During a time of national mourning,
the flag can be flown at half mast
by order or proclamation of the President
of the United States.
When flown at half mast,
the flag should be hoisted to the peak for an instant
and then lowered to the half staff position.
The flag should be raised to the peak before
it is lowered at the end of the day.
On Memorial Day the flag should be displayed
at half mast until noon,
then raised to the top of the staff
and flown until sunset.
Local customs regarding the lowering
of company, city, or other flags to half mast
are directed by the executive officers of those
service areas.
When the flag is used to cover a casket,
it should be placed with the stars at the head
and over the left shoulder.
The flag should not be lowered into the grave
or be allowed to touch the ground.



Respect for the Flag

The Flag Code, a national guideline
on ways in which the flag is to be respected,
states that no disrespect should be shown
to the flag of the United States of America.
Specific ways in which the flag
should not be used,
according to the code, are:
The flag should not be dipped
to any person or thing,
and can be flown upside down
only as a distress signal.
The flag should never be used as wearing apparel,
bedding, or drapery.
Bunting of blue, white, and red
can be used for covering a speaker's desk,
draping the front of a platform,
or for decoration in general.
The flag should never be fastened,
displayed, used, or stored in such a way
that would allow it to be easily torn,
soiled, or damaged.
The flag should never have any mark,
insignia, letter-work, or other designs
of any kind placed upon it.
The flag should never be used as a receptacle
for receiving, holding, carrying,
or delivering anything.
The flag should never be used for advertising purposes.
It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed
on such articles as cushions, and kerchiefs,
paper napkins, boxes, or anything
that is designed for temporary use.
Advertising signs should not be
fastened to a flag's staff or halyard.
No part of the flag should be used as an element
of a costume or athletic uniform.
However, a flag patch may be worn on the uniform
of military personnel, firemen,
and members of patriotic or other national organizations,
such as the uniforms of veterans' service organizations
or Scout uniforms.
When lowering the flag, make certain that
no part of it touches the ground.
It should be received by waiting hands and arms.
To store the flag,
ceremoniously fold it length wise in half,
then repeat with the blue field on the outside.
Finally, while one person holds it by the blue field,
another then makes a triangular fold in the opposite end,
continuing to fold it in triangles
until only the blue shield shows.
When a flag is in such a condition
that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display,
it should be destroyed in a dignified manner,
preferably by burning.

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