§5. Display and use of the flag by civilians; codification of rules and customs; Definition Prior to Flag Day, June 14, 1923, neither the federal nor state governments had official guidelines for displaying the flag of the United States. On that day, the National Flag Code was created by representatives of more than 68 organizations under the auspices of the American Legion`s National Commission on Americanism. The code written by this conference was printed by the national organization of the American Legion and distributed nationally. 5. Once the flag is completely burned, the fire must be safely extinguished and the ashes buried. Our national anthem For more than a century, the “Star-Spangled Banner,” written by Francis Scott Key in 1814, has been sung as a popular patriotic tune. From time to time, army and navy leaders referred to it as the national anthem for official occasions. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson declared it the national anthem. Continued lobbying by foreign war veterans led Congress to designate the song as the official national anthem of the United States on March 3, 1931.

Francis Scott Key practiced law in Baltimore during the War of 1812. In 1814, one of Key`s friends, Dr. Beanes, was held captive by the British aboard the ship Minden in Baltimore Harbor. Key decided that he would try to secure his friend`s release. With a ceasefire flag and a letter from President James Madison, Key picked up to the ship. His request for the friend`s freedom was granted, but the two men were held on board because the British were about to bomb Fort McHenry. During the bombardment, Key watched the Stars and Stripes fly over the fort. Darkness fell and he could no longer see the flag. But the fort continued to retaliate against the British, so Key knew that the American fortress had not surrendered. When the daylight returned, Key was thrilled to see that “the flag was still there.” He took out an old envelope from his pocket and wrote the catchy opening words: “Oh hey, can you see in the early light of dawn what we so proudly applauded at the last light of twilight, whose wide stripes and bright stars flowed so gallantly through the dangerous battle through the ramparts we observed?” After returning ashore, Key completed the verse, which was later published in the Baltimore American on September 21, 1814. It immediately became popular.

Later, the words were put into the English “Anacreon in Heaven”, which is the melody we sing today. Executive Decree 10834 Proportions and sizes of flags and position of stars[5] prescribes the design of the flag as well as the federal specification DDD-F-416F[6] The POW/MIA flag depicts the silhouette of a prisoner of war in front of a watchtower and barbed wire in white on a black field. “POW/MIA” appears above the silhouette and the words “You Are Not Forgotten” appear in white on the black box at the bottom. This black and white flag is a clear reminder of Americans still trapped, missing or missing in Southeast Asia, and is now accepted nationally and internationally as a symbol of vigilance and commemoration for all prisoners of war and MIOs. Note: Please contact your local VFW post office if you need any help or more information on how to properly get rid of the flag. The American flag has a long history, and members of our organization have spent almost as much time defending and honoring our nation`s most iconic symbol of freedom. Whether you`re looking for the historical details of creating the American flag or the rules and regulations that encompass your daily flight, we`re here to make sure you find the information you need. Keep your flag completely dry and properly folded – in a triangle where the union (blue section) is visible – before storing it in a well-ventilated area.

If the flag is damaged or worn, it must be disposed of with dignity. The laws relating to the flag of the United States of America can be found in detail in the United States Code. Chapter 1 of Title 4 refers to the flag; Title 18, Chapter 33, Article 700 deals with criminal sanctions for desecrating flags; Title 36 Chapter 3 refers to patriotic customs and observances. These laws have been supplemented by presidential decrees and proclamations. With a different flag, place the American flag on your left when you are crossed. §3. Use of the flag for advertising purposes; Mutilation of the flag §10. Change in Rules and Customs by the President The Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (Section 595.) allows members of the armed forces who are not in uniform and veterans for the flag during the national anthem. [Citation needed] All flags flying on the same mast as the American flag are subordinate to the American flag. The question often arises as to which flag (POW/MIA, state, organization, etc.) Priority is given to be hoisted directly under the American flag and before any other flag. There is no final response or protocol codified in writing or by law.

It is the VFW protocol because the POW/MIA flag is considered a federal banner that the POW/MIA flag takes precedence over all other flags flying on the same mast under the American flag. In a walking line, the POW/MIA flag is carried immediately to the left of the American flag. The VFW initially considers the prisoner of war/MIA issue to be a matter of national importance, which places the prisoner of war/MIA flag in a prominent position. Non-uniformed soldiers, military retirees and veterans can pay tribute to the flag. The flag of the United States of America is a symbol of freedom and freedom to which Americans swear allegiance. As they stand intently and face the flag with their right hand on their hearts, they recite: The name “Old Glory” was first applied to the American flag by a young sea captain who lived in Salem, Massachusetts. On his 21st birthday, March 17, 1824, Captain William Driver received a beautiful flag from his mother and a group of Salem girls. The driver was happy with the gift and called the flag “Old Glory”. Old Glory accompanied the captain on his many sea voyages. In 1837 he gave up sailing and moved to Nashville. On patriotic days, he proudly displayed Old Glory from a rope that stretched from his house to a tree across the street. After Tennessee split from the Union in 1861, Captain Driver hid Old Glory and sewed it into a duvet.

When Union soldiers were killed on September 25. In February 1862, Driver removed Old Glory from his hiding place. He carried the flag to the Capitol and hoisted it over the State Capitol. Shortly before his death, the old sea captain placed a small package in his daughter`s arms. He said, “Mary Jane is the flag of my ship, Old Glory. He was my constant companion. I love the way a mother loves her child. Enjoy it as I enjoyed it. The flag remained a valuable legacy in the Driver family until 1922. It was then sent to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C., where it is carefully stored under glass. The flag of the United States consists of thirteen horizontal stripes, alternating red and white; and the union of the flag will be forty-eight stars [Note: sec.

2 provides for additional stars; Today, the flag has fifty stars representing the fifty states – webmaster], white in a blue field Any rule or custom related to the display of the flag of the United States of America may be changed, modified or repealed by the Commander-in-Chief of the United States Armed Forces, or additional rules in this regard may be prescribed. whenever it deems it appropriate or desirable; and any such modification or additional rule shall be specified in a proclamation that triangular folding shall continue until the entire length of the flag is folded into the triangular shape, with only the blue field visible. In response to a Supreme Court decision that ruled that a state law prohibiting the burning of flags unconstitutional, Congress enacted the Flag Protection Act in 1989. It provides that any person who knowingly desecrates the flag may be fined and/or imprisoned for up to one year. However, this law was challenged by the Supreme Court in a 1990 decision that the Flag Protection Act violates the First Amendment`s protection of free speech. Go to the U.S. Flag Code Guide. The flag of the United States for the purposes of this Chapter is defined in accordance with Sections 1 and 2 of this Title and Executive Order 10834 issued under this Title.

When a new State is admitted to the Union, an asterisk shall be added to the Union of the flag; and such an addition comes into effect on the fourth day of July and then follows this inclusion in the same staff flag at the top, above any other flag. The grouped American flag goes by itself. The flags of other nations are hoisted at the same height.