Anyone in America immediately recognizes the national flag. Even young kids in kindergarten know exactly what the design is and how it is used in society. The rest of the world, too, recognizes its design, with its distinctive red, white and blue. It is somehow dissonant to hear the term discount and flag used in the same sentence, but people should remember that the usual rules of use apply to discount US flags too.
However, this is so. But what people should realize is that the flag remains as important as it always is, despite its lower price. As a national symbol, the flag has a special significance which requires a traditional etiquette. This isn't something that everyone may be familiar with but the fact that the flag was cheap does not detract from this requirement.
The temptation is to handle the flag, or any flag, like just another piece of fabric. This is a mistaken attitude. It is not handled or stored like other fabric, and people should be aware of that. National pride is the guiding principle here, so those who handle the national flag should remember that and stick to the rules about its handling.
The flag must not allowed to touch the ground at any time. When hoisting the flag on the flagpole, or lowering it to pack it away at night, or even during transportation, it should not ever be allowed to touch the ground. This is seen as disrespectful to the nation and is careless on the part of those who allow it to happen.
Storing the flag is another important regulated activity. A flag is not folded up like other fabric items. It is not a sheet or a towel. A flag should not display creasing when it's flown, so folding it is different to other linen. Fold it lightly into a narrow rectangle, and then roll it carefully into a roll.
There are also regulations as to how to fly the flag, and when. Some people might suspect that the flag should never be flown at night. This is not entirely true. It may be flown after dark, but only if it's illuminated adequately where it's flown.
If it is necessary to fly two flags in conjunction, and one of them is the national flag, the latter always goes on top. Officially, two posts are supposed to be used, but where only one is available, the national flag always has the superior position at the top of the post.
These rules might sound like mere tradition or custom, but they are not. They have been officially promulgated in the American Flag Code, a Public Law. This does not make their violation an offense, since the First Amendment permits freedom of expression concerning the national flag. But those who use the flag should always try to remember that it is important to the people of the nation. Disrespecting the flag can harm the country's image. If you want to use the national flag, you should first acquaint yourself with the provisions of the Code, and try to understand the principles that it embodies.
However, this is so. But what people should realize is that the flag remains as important as it always is, despite its lower price. As a national symbol, the flag has a special significance which requires a traditional etiquette. This isn't something that everyone may be familiar with but the fact that the flag was cheap does not detract from this requirement.
The temptation is to handle the flag, or any flag, like just another piece of fabric. This is a mistaken attitude. It is not handled or stored like other fabric, and people should be aware of that. National pride is the guiding principle here, so those who handle the national flag should remember that and stick to the rules about its handling.
The flag must not allowed to touch the ground at any time. When hoisting the flag on the flagpole, or lowering it to pack it away at night, or even during transportation, it should not ever be allowed to touch the ground. This is seen as disrespectful to the nation and is careless on the part of those who allow it to happen.
Storing the flag is another important regulated activity. A flag is not folded up like other fabric items. It is not a sheet or a towel. A flag should not display creasing when it's flown, so folding it is different to other linen. Fold it lightly into a narrow rectangle, and then roll it carefully into a roll.
There are also regulations as to how to fly the flag, and when. Some people might suspect that the flag should never be flown at night. This is not entirely true. It may be flown after dark, but only if it's illuminated adequately where it's flown.
If it is necessary to fly two flags in conjunction, and one of them is the national flag, the latter always goes on top. Officially, two posts are supposed to be used, but where only one is available, the national flag always has the superior position at the top of the post.
These rules might sound like mere tradition or custom, but they are not. They have been officially promulgated in the American Flag Code, a Public Law. This does not make their violation an offense, since the First Amendment permits freedom of expression concerning the national flag. But those who use the flag should always try to remember that it is important to the people of the nation. Disrespecting the flag can harm the country's image. If you want to use the national flag, you should first acquaint yourself with the provisions of the Code, and try to understand the principles that it embodies.
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