The Little Book of the Flag

by Eva March Tappan

CHAPTER XIII

HOW TO BEHAVE TOWARD THE FLAG

Except the cross there is nothing that the American should hold more sacred than the flag of the United States, because of its record in peace and in war, and because it stands for the rights and the freedom of one hundred million citizens.

"Sign of a nation great and strong,

To ward her people from foreign wrong."

There are definite rules in regard to the use of the flag. The following are the most necessary to know:—

The flag should be raised at sunrise and lowered at sunset. It should not be left out at night unless under fire. It should not be allowed to touch the ground. If possible, a pole rather than a staff should be used.

In raising a flag to half-mast or half-staff, it should be run to the top of the pole, and then lowered the width of the flag. Before being retired, it should be run to the top again. On Memorial Day the flag should be at half-mast until noon, and at the peak from noon until sunset.

When the flag goes by, rise if you are sitting; halt if you are walking, and take off your hat.