Friday, September 9, 2011

The Flag on 9-11


Sometimes charity is not the only way to do good. On Sunday, September 11, many Americans will fly the flag in remembrance of the lives lost on that day 10 years ago.

There is actually a law about displaying the flag, passed in 1942. There are however no flag police. So you won't get busted if you miss one of the rules. But the flag code suggests a level of respect.

While the flag may be flown any day, some media have suggested September 11 is a designated day. Actually the date is not mentioned in the flag code.

Many people will fly the flag at half-mast on Sunday. To do so, the flag is brought briskly to the top of the pole, then slowly lowered to the half-mast position. At the end of the day, the flag is again brought to the top before being ceremoniously lowered.

The flag ought not to be flown in inclement weather (unless an all-weather flag is used) nor at night (unless illumination is provided.)

When a new state enters the union, a star is added to the flag. It is the custom to fly the new flag for the first time at Fort McHenry, Baltimore, Maryland. This is where the incident leading to the national anthem occurred. (The flag normally flown at the Fort has 15 stars and stripes, the flag of 1814 when the Star Spangled Banner was wrtten.)


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