Displaying Our Flag
On Tuesday, June 14 many Americans demonstrate their patriotism by displaying the “Stars and Stripes” for Flag Day.
Americans are proud of our flag, the symbol of this great nation, our constitution and the liberty we enjoy. Many men and women have made enormous sacrifices so that we might live in peace and freedom.
The flag of the United States of America was born out of a fight for freedom, and by displaying the flag our citizens demonstrate heartfelt patriotism. The United States Flag Code stipulates that as the symbol of a living country, the flag is considered in itself a living thing and should be properly displayed and cared for. In order that residents may be able to demonstrate their pride and patriotism in the finest American tradition, the following guidelines are provided to properly display the stars and stripes:
– It is customary for the flag to be displayed between sunrise and sunset. It should be illuminated if displayed at night.
– When the flag is displayed from a staff projecting from a window, balcony or a building, the blue union should be at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half-staff.
– The flag, when flown at half-staff, should be first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The flag should be again raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day. By “half-staff” is meant lowering the flag to one-half the distance between the top and bottom of the staff.
– When on display indoors, the flag is accorded the place of honor, always positioned to its own right (the observer’s left).
– When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground.
– Hempstead Town provides flag collection boxes adjacent to veterans’ halls throughout the township for residents to discard their worn and tattered U.S. flags respectfully. To locate a collection box in your neighborhood, you may call the Town of Hempstead’s Department of Communications and Public Affairs at 516-812-3303 or call your local veterans’ post.
Although the flag can be displayed on all days, I encourage residents to proudly fly the American flag on June 14th and remember the guidelines as they do so.
