i fly my flad everyday the stars and bars will never stop flying red white and blue
Same here ,always up flying proud only down side is they wear much quicker exposed to the elemnets.
One question ,what's the proper way to retire a flag once weathered?
I've heard the local VA will give it a proper service .
Saw this everywhere the last week, thought it was fitting to post it.
Memorial Day perfect time to replace flag
But Memorial Day itself isn't so much about celebration as it is honoring those who have served our country and died in military service
Some gave their time, some their limbs, some their very lives for the freedoms that we have today. By decorating their graves and holding services at cemeteries where they are buried, we remember their sacrifice.
A common sight at this time of year is the American flag flying proudly over schools, government buildings, businesses and homes. Perhaps it's the warmer weather that brings out more flags or the upcoming Memorial Day and Independence Day holidays. It seems especially meaningful during war.
But it's not all stars and stripes forever.
If you take a close look at some of those flags, you'll notice they are worse for wear. Some are tattered at the ends, torn and faded.
If your flag has weathered winter winds, snow and rain, it's time to replace it.
When we see the flag every day, it's easy to overlook it and not notice that it's not as nice as it once was.
With Memorial Day approaching, flags are readily available. Take time and a few dollars to purchase a new flag and install it.
Your old flag should be treated respectfully. Veterans organizations in many communities have places to deposit flags. They collect them and retire them properly at services held throughout the year. To find the one in your community or in a neighboring community, call your local American Legion group.
Put your new American flag up in time for Memorial Day, and please, remember what it means, what it stands for and those who gave their lives to give it that meaning.
Displaying the flag
According to the U.S. government flag code, "It is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs 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 be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.
"The flag should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement, except when an all-weather flag is displayed.
"The flag should be displayed on all days, especially on New Year's Day, Jan. 1; Inauguration Day, Jan. 20; Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, the third Monday in January; Lincoln's Birthday, Feb. 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; Independence Day, July 4; Labor Day, first Monday in September; Constitution Day, Sept. 17; Columbus Day, second Monday in October; Navy Day, Oct. 27; Veterans Day, Nov. 11; Thanksgiving Day, fourth Thursday in November; Christmas Day, Dec. 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.
"The flag should be displayed daily on or near the main administration building of every public institution.
"The flag should be displayed in or near every polling place on election days.
"The flag should be displayed during school days in or near every schoolhouse."
--------and just FYI--------
http://www.legion.org/?section=our_flag&subsection=flag_unserviceable&content=flag_ceremonyCeremony for the Disposal of Unserviceable Flags
The Post assembles in meeting, out-of-doors, at night. Members are aligned in two parallel rows about twenty feet apart, facing each other. Officers at their stations as shown. A small fire is burning opposite the Commander and beyond the rows of members.
Sergeant-at-Arms: "Comrade Commander, we wish to present a number of unserviceable Flags of our Country for inspection and disposal."
Commander: "Comrade Sergeant-at-Arms advance with your detail and present the Flags for disposal and inspection."
(Sergeant-at-Arms calls his detail to attention. They form at the Post of the Sergeant-at-Arms, take the Flags which are to be inspected march abreast down center until opposite the Second Vice-Commander, turn right and halt two paces in front of the Second Vice-Commander. The Sergeant-at-Arms steps one pace forward and salutes.)
Sergeant-at-Arms: "Comrade Vice-Commander, we present these unserviceable Flags for your inspection."
Second Vice-Commander: "Is the present condition of these Flags the result of their usual service as the Emblem of our Country?"
Sergeant-at-Arms: "These Flags have become faded and worn over the graves of our departed comrades and the soldier and sailor dead of all our nation's wars."
Second Vice-Commander: "Present these Flags to the First Vice-Commander for his inspection." (The Sergeant-at-Arms salutes, about faces, commands the detail), "About Face," (crosses behind the detail and takes his post at its left, commands) "Forward March." (The detail marches to within two paces of the First Vice-Commander, halts and proceeds as before.)
Sergeant-at-Arms: "Comrade Vice-Commander, we present these Flags which have been inspected by the Second Vice-Commander, for your further inspection."
First Vice-Commander: "Have any of these Flags served any other purpose?"
Sergeant-at-Arms: "Some of these Flags have been displayed in various public places." First Vice-Commander: "Present them to the Commander for final inspection and fitting disposal."
(The Sergeant-at-Arms salutes, about faces, commands the detail), "About Face," (crosses behind the detail and takes position on its left commands), "Forward March." (The detail marches to center, turns left, halts within two paces of the Commander, Sergeant-at-Arms steps one pace forward and salutes.)
Sergeant-at-Arms: "Comrade Commander, we have the honor to present for final inspection and proper disposal these Flags of our Country."
Commander: "Have these Flags been inspected by the First and Second Vice-Commanders?"
Sergeant-at-Arms: "They have.
Commander: "Comrade Second Vice-Commander, what does your inspection show and what do you recommend?"
Second Vice-Commander: "Comrade Commander, since these Flags have become unserviceable in a worthy cause, I recommend that they be honorably retired from further service."
Commander: "Comrade First Vice-Commander, what does your inspection show and what do you recommend?"
First Vice-Commander: "Comrade Commander, since these Flags have become faded and worn in a tribute of service and love, I also recommend that they be fittingly destroyed."
Commander: "Comrades, we have presented here these Flags of our Country which have been inspected and condemned as unserviceable. They have reached their present state in a proper service of tribute, memory and love.
"A Flag may be a flimsy bit of printed gauze, or a beautiful banner of finest silk. Its intrinsic value may be trifling or great; but its real value is beyond price, for it is a precious symbol of all that we and our comrades have worked for and lived for, and died for-a free Nation of free men, true to the faith of the past, devoted to the ideals and practice of Justice, Freedom and Democracy.
"Let these faded Flags of our Country be retired and destroyed with respectful and honorable rites and their places be taken by bright new Flags of the same size and kind, and let no grave of our soldier or sailor dead be unhonored and unmarked. Sergeant-at-Arms, assemble the Color Guard, escort the detail bearing the Flags and destroy these Flags by burning. The members shall stand at attention."
(Color Guard forms. The detail about faces. Preceded by the Color Guard the detail marches down center to the fire. National Colors cross over and take position on the right of the fire, facing the Commander. Post Standard takes position on left of fire. The detail lines up behind the fire, which is burning low.)
Commander: "The Chaplain will offer prayer."
Chaplain: "Almighty God, Captain of all hosts and Commander over all, bless and consecrate this present hour.
"We thank Thee for our Country and its Flag, and for the liberty for which it stands. "To clean and purging flame we commit these Flags, worn-out in worthy service. As they yield their substance to the fire, may Thy Holy Light spread over us and bring to our hearts renewed devotion to God and Country. Amen."
Commander: "Hand salute."
(Color Guards present arms. Post Standard is dipped. All officers and members except those on the Flag detail salute. Members of the Flag detail dip the condemned Flags in kerosene and place them on a rack over the fire).
(Bugler sounds "To the Colors.")
Commander: (at conclusion of "To the Colors") "Two."
(The Color Guard shall resume its station and detail is dismissed.)
(Color Guard advances down center and places Colors. Members of the detail resume their places among the members.)
