I pledge Allegiance

 

to the flag of

 

the United States

 

of America and

 

to the Republic

 

for which it stands,

 

one nation under

 

God, indivisible,

 

with Liberty and

 

Justice for all.

 

 

 

 

   

Flying the U.S. flag is appropriate every day. The customary days to display the flag, according to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the U.S. Army, are:

2013 

 

New Years Day	January 1
MLK Day of Service	January 21
Inauguration Day	January 20 (every four years)
President's Day	February 18
Mother's Day	May 12
Peace Officer's Memorial Day †	May 15
Armed Forces Day	May 18
Memorial Day (observed) ‡	May 27
Flag Day	June 14
Father's Day	June 16
Independence Day	July 4
Labor Day	September 2
Patriot Day †	September 11
POW/MIA Recognition Day	September 20
Gold Star Mother's Day	September 29
Veterans Day	November 11
Thanksgiving Day	November 28
National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day †	December 7
Christmas Day	December 25

 

† Half-Staff until sunset

‡ Half-Staff until noon

 

For the full story of the Star Spangled Banner, click here.

1775 - The United States Navy originated as the Continental Navy, established early in the American Revolution by the Continental Congress by a resolution of 13 October 1775. The Continental Navy flew a jack consisting of alternating red and white stripes, having the image of a rattlesnake stretched out across it, with the motto "Don't Tread on Me."

 

1777 - Flag Resolution of June 14, 1777 states: "Resolved: that the flag of the United States be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation."

 

1794 - Provided 15 stripes and 15 stars after May 1795. Act of January 13, 1794.

 

1818 - Provided 13 stripes and one star for each state, to be added to the flag on the 4th of July following the admission of each new state. Act of April 4, 1818.

 

1912 - Executive Order of President Taft dated June 24, 1912. Established proportions of the flag and provided for arrangement of the stars in six horizonatal rows of eight each, a single point of each star to be upward.

 

1959 - Executive Order of President Eisenhower dated January 3, 1959. Provided for the arrangement of the stars in seven rows of seven stars each, staggered horizontally and vertically.

 

1959 - Executive Order of President Eisenhower dated August 21, 1959. Provided for the arrangement of nine rows of stars staggered horizontally and eleven rows of stars staggered vertically.

"The flag is the emblem of our unity, our power, our thought and purpose as a nation. It has no other character than that which we give it from generation to generation. For most Americans, their sentiments about the flag are not something they can easily define. To most of us, they are as individual as personality, as private as a family matter and almost as personal as religion." -- President Woodrow Wilson, 1917

 

 

Red: Hardiness and Valor

White: Purity and Innocence

Blue: Vigilance, Perseverance & Justice

 

Use and display of the U.S. flag by civilians, civilian groups, and organizations are governed by 36 USC 173. Civilians who inquire about the display of the U.S. flag should be referred to this statute. They should be advised to consult the Attorney General of the State in which they reside or operate for information concerning State laws that apply to the U.S. flag.

 

Download  "How to Honor and Display the American Flag."

Flag Etiquette, Important Things to Remember 

 

Public Law 94-344, known as the Federal Flag Code, contains rules for handling and displaying the U.S. Flag. While the federal code contains no penalties for misusing the flag, states have their own flag codes and may impose penalties. The language of the federal code makes clear that the flag is a living symbol. In response to a Supreme Court decision, which held that a state law prohibiting flag burning was unconstitutional, Congress enacted the Flag Protection Act in 1989.  It provides that anyone who knowingly desecrates the flag may be fined and/or imprisoned for up to one year. 

When the flag is worn out or otherwise no longer a fitting emblem for display, it should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning. Proper flag disposal is one of the patriotic duties that VFW Posts conduct nationwide.