The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1918-07-19
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FLAG ETIQUETTE.

there are who do not yet know how
the American flag should be hung
Flag etiquette is something that has
received but very little attention,
either in the home or in the school,
It is no uncommon thing to see the
Star sand Stripes hanging from build
ing or in a window, stripes horizontal
and stars in upper right hand corner,
or stripes perpendicular and union in
upper left hand corner. To bare the
head and stand at attention as Old
Glory passes down the street in a pa
rade is an unheard of thing with
great majority of the people. This
seeming disrespect to the flag is not
premedidated, nor is it any special
mark of disloyalty; but rather it is
shiftless neglect to get posted on what
is good form and the proper respect
to the greatest symbol of liberty the
world has ever known. Proper flag
etiquette should be taught in every
school; it should be a part of the
devotional exercises in every church
and every home. Every citizen and
every boy and girl in the land, should
be able to give a brief history of the
American flag, tell for what it stands,
and show at all times and on every
occasion proper respect for it.
occasions called attention to the proper
way to hang a flag, and the seeming
carelessness in showing proper respect
to the colors. We give herewith the
official "F'lag Etiquette prepared by
the National Committee of Patriotic
Societies, Washington, ID. c.. We sug-
gest that every reader of the True
Northerner clip it out, paste on a card
board and refer to it often enough to
be familiar with every paragraph:
When the colors are passing. the
spectator, if man, should halt if
walking, arise if sitting. and I'M
cover, holding the headdress oppo-
site the left shoulder with the right
hand; if bareheaded. he should sa-
lutte with the r1ht hand. A woman
should stand at attention as the
Flag passes by.
When the Flag is waving from a
stationary flagstaff or pole il is
not sauted with the hand.
In decorating, the Flag should
never be festooned or draped. AL
ways hung fiat. If hung with
stripes horizontal, Union should be
in upper left corner. If hung per-
pendicularly, Union should be in
upper right corner.
When the Flag is carried in
parade, or when crossed with other
flags, Stars and Stripes should al
WAYS be at the right.
The law specifically forbids the
use of and representation of the
Flag in any manner or in any
connection with merchandise for
sale.
The Flag should be raised at sun
rise and lowered at sunset. II
should not be displayed on stormy
days or, except when under fire of
the enemy. left out over night
Although there is no authorita-
tive ruling which compels civilians
to lower the Flag at shutdown,
good taste should impel them to
follow the traditions of the army
and navy in this shutdown cere-
monial.
Primarily the Flag is raised TO
be seen, and secondarily, the Flag
is something to be guarded, treas
ured, and, so tradition holds il shall
~
To leave the Flag out at night,
unattended, is proof Of shiftless-
ness, or at least carelessness.
On Memorial Day, the Flag
should be displayed at half-mast
from sunrise until noon, and at the
peak from noon until sunset It
should, on being retired, never be
allowed to touch the ground.
When the Star Spangled Banner
is being played or sung, uncover,
stand and remain standing. IN
SILENCE, until il is finished.
Applause at the conclusion of
Star Spangled Banner is out of
place.
Worn out and usless flags should
be destroyed by burning.
A Flag torn or frayed by the wind
and weather should never again be
hoisted until il has been repaired
This is a regulation of both army !
and navy and should also be fol-
lowed by all civilians.
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