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Flag
Day - June 14th
Fly the flag, give your pledge. June 14th is the
anniversary of the 1777 adoption of the Stars and Stripes as the U. S.
Flag. In the 224 years since that date, the flag's con figuration
changed as a star for each new state took its place on the banner of blue.
How Americans feel about their flag has never changed.
No symbol has been so consistently honored. Hearts beat faster as it
passes on parade. It decorates homes on Flag Day and makes a
patriotic statement about all that live within.
We salute the flag and share the Pledge of Allegiance,
which was written by an Ohioan, Francis Bellamy. It debuted in 1892
in a magazine called the Youth's Companion. Originally meant to be a
pledge of patriotism for schoolchildren, it was quickly taken up by
adults.
The Pledge stands today as first published except for the
addition of the words "under God". I pledge allegiance to
the Flag of the United States of America, and to the REPUBLIC for which it
stands, one nation under God, with liberty and justice for all.
American flag etiquette Public Law 94-344 provides rules
for the use and care of the flag.
A sampling:
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The flag should never be dipped to any person or
thing.
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No flag may fly above or to the right of the U. S.
Flag.
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The flag should never touch anything beneath it.
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The flag should never be used as wearing apparel.
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The flag should be carried aloft and free, never
horizontally.
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Always hoist the flag briskly, and lower it
ceremoniously.
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Generally the flag is displayed between sunrise and
sunset. But it may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly
illuminated during hours of darkness.
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On Memorial Day, the flag should be flown at
half-staff until noon.
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The flag should never be imprinted on anything
designed for discard or temporary use.
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When the flag is in such condition that it's no longer
fit for display, it should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably
by burning.
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