Girl Scouts Demonstrate Flag Etiquette for Flag Day

As Americans prepare to raise their flags on June 14 for Flag Day, many Girl Scouts have already performed several flag ceremonies and are already practicing their skills for the big day.

Although most citizens don’t have to worry about performing in a flag ceremony, they do need to be aware of disrespecting the flag by not showing proper flag etiquette.

This holiday everyone can commemorate the adoption of the American flag with the proper honor and respect by following the essentials of flag etiquette, taken from the United States Flag Code:

Display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open. When patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed for 24 hours if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.
The flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.
The flag should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags of States or localities or pennants of societies are grouped and displayed from staffs.
When flown at half-staff, the flag should be first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The flag should be raised again to the peak before it is lowered for the day.
The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water or merchandise.
The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.
The Flag Code does not specify how the flag should be folded, but a standard flag will require 13 folds. To specify there should be two lengthwise folds and eleven triangular folds, ending at the union.

Also, make sure your flag is dry prior to storing it, as mold can form in damp environments. For more in-depth information about flag etiquette, GSSJC recommends visiting usflag.org. To request Girl Scouts to perform a flag ceremony for your organization, contact Mona Tolbert at 713-292-0361 or mtolbert@sjgs.org.

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