Flying the United States flag should be done responsibly by citizens

In light of what has recently occurred in our country and community, I thought, as a Cub Scout den leader, that this would be an appropriate time to work on the Citizenship Activity Badge with my Webelos Scouts.

One of the requirements is to understand the correct way to display and respect our country’s flag.

While reviewing the U.S. Flag Code (and while driving around town), I realized that many of us, myself included, do not always do this properly. The following comes directly from the U.S. Flag Code:

It is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flag staffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.

The flag should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement, except when an all-weather flag is displayed.

When the flag is displayed on a motorcar, the staff shall be fixed firmly to the chassis or clamped to the right fender.

When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union should be uppermost and to the flag’s own right, that is, to the observer’s left.

When displayed in a window, the flag should be displayed in the same way, with the union or blue field to the left of the observer in the street.

The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water or merchandise.

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.

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.

Many of us, with the best intentions in the world, are actually displaying our country’s flag in a way that does not give it its full honor and respect.

Or sometimes we do know but feel it’s more patriotic to keep the flag flying at all times.

As a friend said to me, "I know I’m not supposed to (fly the flag all night), but I just want to keep that flag out there."

Believe me, I understand how she feels. But as I told my Webelos Scouts, along with our rights as American citizens come certain responsibilities.

One of those is to show our flag, and indeed our country, the respect it deserves. I believe that properly flying the flag of the United States of America is one of the most patriotic things we can do.

Leslie Quinn Ryan

Pack 157, Boy Scouts

of America

Manalapan