Fun with flags!

Yeah, I stole the title from Sheldon.

When I wake up in the morning and look out the bedroom window, I can see the American Flag flying on the pole in the front yard. Reminds me of the line of our National Anthem “and the flag was still there. The United States has the only National Anthem dedicated to the flag. Many think the anthem is about was, but it is about perseverance and resolve and men striving to be free.

Most of you know that the 13 stripes represent the 13 original colonies, and the 50 stars are for each state, but do you know the meaning of the colors? White signifies purity and innocence, Red, hardiness & valor, and Blue, the color of the Chief, signifies vigilance, perseverance & justice."

The flag has been through many changes through our history:

*On June 14, 1777, in order to establish an official flag for the new nation, the Continental Congress passed the first Flag Act: "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."

*Act of January 13, 1794 - provided for 15 stripes and 15 stars after May 1795.

*Act of April 4, 1818 - provided for 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, signed by President Monroe.

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

*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.

*Executive Order of President Eisenhower dated August 21, 1959 - provided for the arrangement of the stars in nine rows of stars staggered horizon tally and eleven rows of stars staggered vertically.

A few of the Flag rules.

The Flag should never be flown below any other flag.

The flag should never be allowed to touch the ground.

Should only be flown at night if illuminated.

A torn or soiled flag should be burned dignified manner. (Check with American Legion, VFW, or Boy Scouts) They often have flag ceremonies on Flag day and burn old flags.

The U.S. Flag is flown at half-staff by presidential order. It is often lowered by Governors or others but is not actually proper.

When lowered to half-staff, it should be done slowly and with respect. When raised again, it should be lowered all the way down first, then raised to the top of the pole.

To store the flag, it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.

These are just a little bit about our flag, in a later post, I will go more into its history and meaning.

Thanks to www.usflag.org