The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1903-07-23
CARE OF THE FLAG.
Points of Etiquette in the Handling
of Old Glory That Are Not
Commonly known.

In no other country is the national
flag SO widely displayed as in our own.
Perhaps this is because the sentiments
of loyalty and allegiance which in
monarchical countries gather SO large
" about the person of the king or
wholly upon the flag, says Youths
Companion.
Yet in many cases there is entire ig-
norance of what may be called the
etiquette of the flag, and even of the
proper and respectful care it should
receive. 1t is often raised to its post,
and unless there is occasion for lower
ing it to half-mast, it is allowed to re-
main there night and day, rain or
shine, until it becomes merely ragged
and bedraggled piece of faded bunting.
Private citizens may well take les
son in their treatment of the flag from
the army and navy of the United
States. The officers and enlisted men
of these services are always ready,
and are not rarely called upon to lay
down their lives for the flag and for
what it represents, and they give it
the respectful and affectionate care
which the symbol of so mach that is
precious to them deserves.
The army regulations provide that
the flag at every post shall be raised at
reveille each morning and lowered each
evening at sunset, while the soldiers
stand at salute and the band plays
'The Star-Spangled Banner" 1t is
not cleft out" overnight for any rea-
son except perhaps one. When fort
or military post is actually under fire
from the enemy, the flag may wave de-
family until hostilities are over A
banner torn by the shot and she'll of
battle is honorable in its rags, but one
which has fallen into dilapidation
through the carelessness or neglect of
its owners is pitiful and accusing
sight.
AT all army posts, moreover. there is
a special ''storm" flag, half as large as
the regular post flag, which is flown in
stormy and windy weather.
1t would be wise precaution for our
schoolhouses to have such flag for
bad weather, or if they can afford but
one, to raise it only on fine days. But
in every case the school flag should be
carefully lowered every evening, fold
ed neatly, and put in safe-keeping un-
til the next day.
There are certain regulations which
the army has adopted concerning the
of se.r -
flag which are of less Importance to
the civilian, but may be of interest to
those who like to do things in the
fright" way. For instance, it is pre-
scribed that the flag shall always be
hoisted or lowered from the leeward
side of the staff, and the halyards shall
always be held by two men.
Another regulation reads: "On all
occasions when the flag is displayed
at half-mast. it is lowered to that posi-
ton from the top of the staff. 1t is
afterward hoisted to the top Of the
staff before it is finally lowered
The flag is kept at half-mast at mill
tarv posts only until the body of the
person whose death it recognizes is
finally inferred.
Thus, although most flags through
out the nation were kept at half-mast
during the 30 days of mourning for
President Mckinley, those on army
and navy headquarters were restored
to full mast Immediately after the fu-
neral at Canton.
The colors of the various regiments,
however. were draped in mourning for
the entire 80 days. and all officers Of
the army wore the mourning badge up
on their swords for the same length
of time.
It may be interesting to know that
the army custom concerning the dis
play of the flag on Memorial day diff
fers from that ordinarily followed
The stars and stripes are raised to
half9mast at sunrise. and remain there
until midday At noon national sa-
lutte of 21 guns is fred. and the post
or regimental band plays dirge as a
memorial tribute. The flag is then
hoisted to the top of the staff. where
it flies until the retreat is sounded at
sunset.