TERRE HAUTE —
Still bright and crisp on its 235th birthday, the U.S. flag has seen its share of change in a history touching four centuries.
Born June 14, 1777, by act of the Second Continental Congress, the flag did not receive a set of regulations governing its care until its 146st birthday in 1923, when the National Flag Code was adopted. It was codified into law in 1942 by the 77th Congress.
And according to Mike Buss, deputy director at the American Legion’s headquarters in Indianapolis, changes in protocol have come and gone over the years, but the overall emphasis on respect remains, particularly every June 14, Flag Day.
“It’s actually the birthday of our flag,” Buss said Wednesday afternoon, likening it to the annual celebration hosted by people around the world. “The flag represents our country. It’s that one symbol.”
A former U.S. Navy officer, Buss serves as the Legion’s “flag expert,” answering dozens of questions each week via e-mail about flag protocol, history and etiquette.
“That was one of the jobs I was given,” he said, recalling how those questions used to come in letters when he started in 1995, initially drawing on every resource from his military experience to childhood Cub Scout participation. But in 17 years of answering “Ask the Flag Expert” questions from around the globe, he’s come to learn not only the official answers to questions about procedure, but historical trivia, myths and lore. “I try to make it a little game and see if anyone can stump me,” he chuckled, offering the chance to anyone via www.legion.org/flag/questions-answers/ask-the-expert or through email at mbuss@legion.org.
One example of a flag stumper concerns the origins of its triangular folding pattern, he said. Some attribute this to the shape of Revolutionary War soldiers’ hats, while others claim the tradition began after the Civil War. He’s found no authoritative source exists on the issue, he said.
Like Buss, many Americans find an early introduction to flag etiquette through scouting.
Darin Steindl, field director for the Crossroads of America Boy Scouts of America, recalled he got into scouting as a third-grader, continuing through high school when he earned the rank of Eagle Scout.
“Scouts are fairly well-known in the public for their flag ceremonies,” he said, noting that while attending a national jamboree in Virginia as a high school student, he and other scouts were invited to participate in a ceremony at the grave of President John F. Kennedy at Arlington National Ceremony. “Every ... meeting we have starts out with a flag ceremony where the kids learn how to bring the flag out on a flagpole.”
In addition to learning how to fold, unfold and display the flag, scouts also learn about its history and symbolism, he said, adding traditional service projects include placing flags on the graves of veterans at local cemeteries.
Buss said changes
have been made to the Flag Code over the years. The most recent change allows ununiformed service members and veterans to salute the flag as it passes by in a parade, or when it’s raised in public, he said. Before, saluting the flag at those times was reserved for those in uniform; those out of uniform were to place their right hands over their hearts.
“That’s the biggest change that’s occurred in the last three or four years,” he said, noting the Flag Code contains no penalties for violations.
Regarding funeral ceremonies for service members, Buss said federal regulations do govern which survivor should receive the casket flag, but traditionally the families are given considerable leeway in making those decisions. Technically, the order of receipt begins with the surviving spouse, followed by the eldest child of either gender. But family structures vary greatly, and if no spouse exists or the children are deemed too young, the flag could be given to a parent, or whomever the family deems appropriate, he said.
Darrel Knight, quartermaster for Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 972, likewise said that issue is best left up to survivors.
“That’s pretty much up to the family,” he said of who gets the casket flag, agreeing the traditional order of progression starts with the surviving spouse and is followed by children.
Last year, Post 972 detailed 104 funerals, providing the traditional three rifle volleys and playing of taps or the “piping out” ceremony of sailors and Marines. If a family requests, its members can also serve as pallbearers for funerals, all the while paying respects to the veteran and the flag.
“To put it simply, that flag represents this country,” the Vietnam veteran said. “If you respect this country, you should respect that flag as a symbol of what we’re here for.”
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Related Photos
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Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis Gentlemen, remove your hats: Members of the Terre Haute Rex observe the national anthem at the beginning of their Prospect League game Wednesday evening at Sycamore Stadium.
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Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis Flying free: A row of flags top a fence in northern Vigo County. Flying free from a staff rather than fixed to a wall is the proper way of display.
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Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis Top spot: The American flag is to always be displayed on top when displayed with other flags on the same staff.
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Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis Proper display: On the highest staff, in the center is the proper way to display the American flag when in a group.
Discussion
Fly your Flag
Flag Day offers chance to show respect
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