LETTERS
Flag ettiquette
To the Editor:

As we approach Independence Day it might be good to review the rules and customs pertaining to the display and uses of the US flag. Title 4, US Code, Chapter 1, is the official source, but it is too long (six pages) to reprint here, so I'll just mention some of the rules & customs which, it seems to me, are less well known, or at least, less followed:

- 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 should not be displayed on a float in a parade except from a staff, or against a wall or window on the float.

- When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union should be uppermost and to the flag's own right, that is, to the observer's left. When displayed in a window, the flag should be displayed in the same way, with the union or blue field to the left of the observer in the street.

- The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free.

- The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature.

- The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.

- The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. It should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown.

- No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform.

- Alapel flag pin should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.

- 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.

Occasionally, the matter of leaving a flag out at night, without illumination, causes some loud discussions. Some folks believe it is disrespectful of the flag, others believe it is OK. The only thing in the code about this is: "It is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness." I read this to mean that it is not necessary to either illuminate the flag at night, or hoist it every sunrise and lower it every sunset, except for flags which are "on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open." And in answer to a question several people have asked, I think this means it is OK to display a flag on a mailbox post, without illumination, because a mailbox post is neither a "building" nor a "stationary flagstaff in the open." And that's why, if you go past my mailbox, you will see a little cloth flag on display, 24/7!

Cordially, Chuck Esposito