Boy Scout Troop 325
Scoutmaster Minute
Our Flag
June 27, 2006
Larry Polyak, Scoutmaster

Next week is Independence Day and you will no doubt see the American Flag all around you. The American flag is a symbol of our country, our democracy. As Scouts, you guys know more about the care and display of the flag than most people, but I thought I'd review a few of the rules and customs. When researching it for this minute, I found out a few things that I didn't know, and I think you will too.

• The flag is normally flown from sunrise to sunset, and should not be flown at night without a light on it.
• The flag should not be flown in the rain or inclement weather.
• When flown vertically on a pole, the stars and blue field , or "union", is at the top.
• In the morning, raise the flag briskly. At sunset, lower it slowly.
• The American flag is always flown at the top of the pole. Your state flag and other flags fly below it.
• When flags are flown from adjacent staffs, the flag of the United States should be hoisted first and lowered last.
• After a tragedy or death, the flag is flown at half staff for 30 days. Only the President or a Governer is authorized to give the order for the US flag to be flown at half staff.
• The flag, when flown at half-staff, should be first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The flag should be again raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day.
• When displayed in print, the union is always on the left.
• An exception to the above is if the flag is printed on the passenger side of a vehicle. The union is then on the right so that when the vehicle is moving, it apears to be flowing in the breeze.
• When displayed vertically, the union should be to the left of the observer.
• When the flag is displayed over the middle of the street, it should be suspended vertically with the union to the north in an east and west street or to the east in a north and south street.
• When displayed from a staff in a church or public auditorium, the flag should be in the position of honor at the speaker's right as he faces the audience, like we do here.
• When the flag is used to cover a casket, it should be placed so that the union is at the head and over the left shoulder.
• Never let your flag touch the ground. Never. Period.
• Fold your flag when storing. Don't just stuff it in a drawer or box.
• When your flag is old and has seen  better days, it is time to retire it. Old flags should be burned or buried. Do not throw it in the trash. The Boy Scouts are one of the few organizations recognized as being able to dispose of a flag properly.

Our flag is representative of our independence and our unity as a nation.... one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you for listening.