As we near Labor Day my patrioticness was overwhelming so I felt the need to buy an American Flag and display it on my house. That got me to thinking about the proper way to fly a flag and when it should fly. I found this great web site ushistory.org. It has tons of info on just about everything you would ever want to know and even some stuff you didn't know you wanted to know about the American Flag!
You can pretty much fly it when ever you want but here is when it is recommended:
Section 6d of the Flag Code states:
"The flag should be displayed on all days, especially on:
New Year's Day, January 1
Inauguration Day, January 20
Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, third Monday in January
Lincoln's Birthday, February 12
Washington's Birthday, third Monday in February
Easter Sunday (variable)
Mother's Day, second Sunday in May
Armed Forces Day, third Saturday in May
Memorial Day (half-staff until noon), the last Monday in May
Flag Day, June 14
Father's Day, third Sunday in June
Independence Day, July 4
Labor Day, first Monday in September
Constitution Day, September 17
Columbus Day, second Monday in October
Navy Day, October 27
Veterans Day, November 11
Thanksgiving Day, fourth Thursday in November
Christmas Day, December 25
and such other days as may be proclaimed by the President of the United States
the birthdays of States (date of admission)
and on State holidays"
One thing I never thought of was you can fly the flag 24 hours a day if it is "properly illuminated during the hours of darkness". We also shouldn't wear the flag or use anything like plates and napkins with the flag on it. They take this seriously.
No flag cakes, ether:
"There is nothing specific in the Flag Code regarding the use of the US flag as food. It does say:
'No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America.'
'... It should not be ... printed or otherwise impressed on ... anything that is designed for temporary use and discard.'
The icing on a cake would generally be eaten, digested, and 'discarded' in a most disrespectful way. We suggest that it is an inappropriate display of the flag."
'No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America.'
'... It should not be ... printed or otherwise impressed on ... anything that is designed for temporary use and discard.'
The icing on a cake would generally be eaten, digested, and 'discarded' in a most disrespectful way. We suggest that it is an inappropriate display of the flag."
I say show your pride in your country, just do it with respect. If you want to make a cake with blueberries and raspberries and it happens to look like the American Flag then go for it. I don't think anyone will be mad at you while they eat it.
So, lets all put our flags out this Holiday, be thankful for our freedom and enjoy the day off.
