Thursday, July 2, 2009 9:13 PM CDT
COLUMN: Wave the flag, then retire it correctly
By BILL LAIR, Managing Editor
blair@jg-tc.com
Jeff Boshart claims he doesn’t go looking for tattered American flags.
He just happens to find them.
Boshart, of Charleston, is concerned about respect for the flag on a couple levels: He has served as a Boy Scout leader and he is an art professor.
“I well remember the national uproar when a young artist in Chicago created an art piece which proposed the question of what is the proper way to display the United States flag and placed it on a very clean gallery floor with a gallery guard present to keep viewers from touching (stepping on) the artwork,” Boshart said. “It sparked a huge debate and we almost made the mistake of legislating/mandating respect for our national symbol. If we do not honor our flag out of a deep and personal respect for our country and what it stands for (warts and all), forcing behavior is not the answer and will not help.”
Because flags are a big part of the July 4 holiday, Boshart is concerned that he will again find some discarded flags at holiday’s end.
It bothers Boshart when he sees flags on the ground, in the streets or in the trash.
And he doesn’t exclude the Journal Gazette and Times-Courier from his concern.
He noted that the newspapers print the flag on an entire page several times a year and encourage readers to post the flag in a window.
But he is concerned about what happens to those flags once they fade or are taken down.
“You can fold and recycle them,” Boshart said. “They don’t belong in the garbage.”
Boshart says it’s great that people fly the flag or display it in support of the troops and patriotism.
“However, I am deeply saddened when I find antenna flags littering the ground and folks in cars driving over them. I am dismayed when I see the paper flags thrown in the trash or left up in windows long beyond their useful life, faded and torn.”
Recently, Boshart neatly folded up several small U.S. flags, placed them in plastic bags and had them delivered to me.
“Found in the road on Garfield east of EIU,” said the note in one bag. “Found on Route 130 north of Charleston High School,” said another, and “Found in the trash on East Van Buren on top of pile. Neatly folded but I don’t thinking feeding (it) to the dog was proper disposal.”
Boshart asked us to encourage you to properly dispose of old flags by ceremonially burning the remnants and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
When should a flag be destroyed?
“The best answer I’ve heard is this: If you would be ashamed to properly fold and hand this symbol of our country to a soldier’s widow and family, it is probably time that it is permanently retired,” he said.
But the question today is: How can we properly dispose of the flag?
Boshart and others suggest contacting a VFW or American Legion Post, or even a local Scout troop to properly dispose of the flag.
But private citizens can have their own ceremonies.
According to information from the VFW, here’s what you can do:
- The flag should be folded in its customary manner.
-It is important that the fire be fairly large and of sufficient intensity to ensure complete burning of the flag.
- Place the flag on the fire.
- Spectators can come to attention, salute the flag, recite the Pledge of Allegiance and have a brief period of silent reflection.
- After the flag is completely consumed, the fire should then be safely extinguished and the ashes buried.
- Make sure you are conforming to local/state fire codes and ordinances.
It’s been a few years since I was a Boy Scout and learned the proper way to fold the flag. But if you want to have your own flag disposal ceremony, you can learn the proper way to fold a flag at www.americanpatriotweb.com. Click on US Flag and the first item is how to fold the flag.
Boshart is not trying to discourage people from showing their patriotism and flying the colors this holiday weekend.
“I love patriotism and waving the flag,” he said. “But when it comes to the flag, we need to be patriots at the end of its use as well as at the beginning.”
And Boshart also provided guidelines from the American Legion on proper display of the American flag, which include:
- It is custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated at night.
- The flag should be displayed on all days, especially on major holidays
-The flag, when carried in a procession with another flag or flags, should be either on the marching right; that is, the flag’s own right, or, if there is a line of other flags, in front of the center of that line.
- The flag should not be displayed on a float in a parade except from a staff.
- The flag should not be draped over the hood, top, sides, or back of a vehicle or of a railroad train or a boat. When the flag is displayed on a motorcar, the staff shall be fixed firmly to the chassis or clamped to the right fender.
- The flag, when it is displayed with another flag against a wall from crossed staffs, should be on the right, the flag’s own right, and its staff should be in front of the staff of the other flag.
Happy holiday and, please, dispose of the flag on Page C5 today properly. Jeff Boshart, for one, would appreciate it.
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mickeygarlock wrote on Jul 3, 2009 8:48 AM:
I found this on the net.
The Funeral Fold, (unofficial) but used by the Military
1. The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.
2. The second fold is a symbol of our belief in the eternal life.
3. The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks who gave a portion of life for the defense of our country to attain a peace throughout the world.
4. The fourth fold represents our weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in times of war for His divine guidance.
5. The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, "Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong."
6. The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we 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.
7. The seventh fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that we protect our country and our flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic.
8. The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered in to the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor mother, for whom it flies on Mother's Day.
9. The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood; for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great have been molded.
10. The tenth fold is a tribute to father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since they were first born.
11. The eleventh fold, in the eyes of a Hebrew citizen, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
12. The twelfth fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son, and Holy Ghost.
13. The thirteenth fold: When the Flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost reminding us of our Nation's motto, "In God We Trust." After the Flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington, and the Sailors and Marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones, who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for us the rights, privileges, and freedoms we enjoy today.
Half Staff Rules, an interesting tidbit.
For flags that can't be lowered, such as those on many homes, the American Legion says that attaching a black ribbon or streamer to the top of the flag is an acceptable alternative. The ribbon should be the same width as a stripe on the flag and the same length as the flag.
And whoever is taking care of The Unknown Confederate Soldiers grave, please redo it please, new Flags once a year don't cut it, it's an insult for someone who believed he was fighting for HIS country.
Sorry, I have never served in the Military but I'm a sticker for Flag Rules, Fly it right or don't fly it at all. "