In the United States, June 14, 2024 (today) is known as Flag Day!
Although some may hold perceptions about the U.S. Flag that many veterans and patriotic Americans find problematic, FGGAM is proud to recognize and celebrate the U.S. Flag.
The flag stands for freedom!
The flag has inspired and comforted millions who have fought, many to the death, to save our republic from division (e.g., Civil War) and to subsequently sustain our country from communist or dictatorial leaders who do not believe in the freedoms represented by the U.S. Flag.
Such freedoms include the belief stated in the U.S. Declaration of Independence that:
“WE hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness…”.
Such freedoms also include the right to worship our God freely, as stated in First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution (Bill of Rights):
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
My brothers and sisters, if you are interested in learning more about the U.S. Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, there is a wonderful online site called ConstitutionFacts.com which may be found HERE.
According to History.com, when the American Revolution broke out in 1775, the colonists weren’t fighting united under a single flag, but instead, most regiments fighting in the war for independence against the British fought under their own flags. In June of 1775, the Second Continental Congress met in Philadelphia to create the Continental Army, which led to the creation of what was, essentially, the first “American” flag, the Continental Colors.
For some, this flag, which was comprised of 13 red and white alternating stripes and a Union Jack in the corner, was too similar to the British Flag. So, on June 14, 1777, the Second Continental Congress took a break from writing the Articles of Confederation and passed a resolution stating that “the flag of the United States be 13 stripes, alternate red and white,” and that “the union be 13 stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.”
Over 100 years later, in 1916, President Woodrow Wilson marked the anniversary of that decree by officially establishing June 14 as Flag Day.
The History.com article may be read in full HERE.
The rules and guidelines for producing, using and honoring the U.S. Flag are set forth in United States Code, Title 4, Chapter 1, Sections 1-10 “The Flag.” This portion of U.S. Code is often abbreviated as “4 USC 1 §§ 1-10” and may be read online HERE.
Section 4 provides and addresses protocol for speaking the U.S. Pledge of Allegiance:
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag: “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” should be rendered by standing at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. When not in uniform men should remove any non-religious headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute. Members of the Armed Forces not in uniform and veterans may render the military salute in the manner provided for persons in uniform.”
Section 8 addresses respect and proper protocol regarding the U.S. Flag:
No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America; the flag should not be dipped to any person or thing. Regimental colors, State flags, and organization or institutional flags are to be dipped as a mark of honor.
(a) The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.
(b) The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise.
(c) The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free.
(d) The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free. Bunting of blue, white, and red, always arranged with the blue above, the white in the middle, and the red below, should be used for covering a speaker’s desk, draping the front of the platform, and for decoration in general.
(e) The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way.
(f) The flag should never be used as a covering for a ceiling.
(g) The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature.
(h) The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
(i) The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. It should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown.
(j) No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.
(k) The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.
For those who may be interested, the entirety of 4 USC 1 §§ 1-10 may be read HERE.
My brothers and sisters, even a cursory read of the foregoing makes it obvious how loose we have become as a society regarding proper respect for, and usage of, the U.S. flag!
And finally, the White House issued a Flag Day proclamation on June 7, 2024, which may be read in full HERE. In the proclamation, President Joe Biden states, in part, that:
The U.S. Flag “has served as a source of pride and inspiration. It has flown high on many battlefields, acting as a beacon of light and purpose at home and around the globe. It flies over military cemeteries where our country’s service members have been laid to rest, reminding us of the unmoving faith they had in our Nation and the ultimate sacrifice they made. It flies over buildings, classrooms, and courthouses — across small towns, in big cities, and around the world — a constant reminder that democracy begins and will be preserved in the habits and the hearts of ordinary people and that we all share a responsibility to stand up for it each and every day.”
We here at FGGAM give all the praise, all the glory and all the honor to God!
