Proudly flying Old Glory on Flag Day

 

Sept. 11, 2001, was a horrible day in American history. The days the followed, however, were glorious.

By glorious, I mean that the groundswell of patriotism and the sense of unity we felt in the wake of the terrorist attacks was incredible. People put aside their differences and came together in ways that the day before would have been unimaginable.

American flags could be seen waving everywhere and they were sold out at stores for weeks. Nearly a year after the attacks, faded and tattered flags still waved from porches and flagpoles where they had been raised and remained since 9/11.

Unfortunately, it did not take long for patriotism to wane. Old Glory today has never been more disrespected. That lack of respect can be traced to 2016 when San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick began taking a knee during the playing of The Star-Spangled Banner, our national anthem.

I’ll give the devil his due, Kaepernick drew attention to worthy causes. It’s the way he did it that has created a lasting rift in this country. Even now, nine years later, we are seeing disrespect for the flag and our national anthem, largely from athletes in pro ranks to high schools. These abominable ingrates disgust me. Seeing them hang their heads and refuse to place their hands over their hearts or even look at the flag is appalling. They are unworthy of the privileges they’ve been afforded by those who sacrificed everything fighting under that banner.

Next Saturday, June 14, is Flag Day. I think it’s a great time to learn the importance of the American flag, what it stands for, and how to properly respect it.

Flag Day was first proposed in 1861 in the early days of the Civil War. President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation declaring Flag Day on June 14 in 1916. An act of Congress sealed the deal in 1949. Flag Day commemorates the adoption of the U.S. flag on June 14, 1777, by the Second Continental Congress.

It was the waving of the flag over Fort McHenry after heavy bombardment by the British in 1814 that inspired Francis Scott Key to pen The Star-Spangled Banner. The flag has been a rallying standard for our military throughout the nation’s history. No other flag in the world stands above it. It was the first flag planted on the moon, something we’ve done six times.

Hundreds of thousands of men and women have died for the flag and everything it stands for.

The United States Code includes a section regarding flag etiquette. Rather than recite the whole thing, here are some highlights:

The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing, unless it is the ensign responding to a salute from a ship of a foreign nation. 

The flag should never be displayed with the union (the starred blue canton) down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.

The flag should never be drawn back or bunched up in any way.

The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, firefighters, police officers, and members of patriotic organizations.

The flag should never be stepped on.

When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms.

No other flag should be placed above it. The flag of the United States is always the first flag raised and the last to be lowered.

When on display, the flag is accorded the place of honor, always positioned to its own right. Place it to the right of the speaker or staging area or sanctuary. Other flags should be to the left.

When displaying the flag against a wall, vertically or horizontally, the flag's union (stars) should be at the top, to the flag's own right, and to the observer's left.

To salute, all persons come to attention. Those in uniform give the appropriate formal salute. Members of the armed forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute. Citizens not in uniform salute by placing their right hand over the heart and men with head cover should remove it and hold it to left shoulder, hand over the heart.

Let’s take this time on Flag Day to reflect on what it truly means to be an American, to stand in unity, and to give our flag its due respect. And let’s be the kind of people that we were on Sept. 12, 2001.