Flag etiquette covered for South Dakota Girls State delegates

By Samantha Simonsen

For Kate Katterhagen, Philadelphia, “The United States flag represents all the people who fought for freedom

“And it also represents my symbol of patriotic pride,” she said.

The flag is a respected symbol in the United States, and with this status comes flag etiquette.

Flag code formalizes and unifies the traditional way Americans give respect. Flags shouldn’t be used as decorations, advertising, costumes or athletic uniforms, or as a way to carry items.

Bunting can be used to decorate, and only citizens in the armed service can have the flag on their uniforms.

The main rule associated with the nation’s flag is that it can’t touch the ground. When a flag reaches the end of its journey, the proper way to show respect is burning it respectably and burying the ashes in a meaningful place.

Veterans of Foreign Wars, Boy and Girl Scouts, and Legion Halls will perform flag ceremonies for citizens of their town.

There are also rules regarding the United States Flag when it is being flown outside.

While on a pole with states or other associations’ flags, the U.S. flag will be placed above the rest.

But if there are other nations’ flags, all the flags will be at the same height, be the same size and no flag is above another. If there is a line of flags, the United States’ Flag will be at the right.

At Girls State, each city is  charged to help raise and lower the flags. Usually, the flag is displayed from sunrise to sunset, and if the flag is out at night, it must be lit.

During raising and lowering, people salute either until the end of a song or when it’s unsnapped from the halyard, where the rope is tied — whichever is longest.

Saluting the flag is a way for Americans to show respect. If someone is or was a part of the military, they will give the proper salute of their branch. Citizens place their right hand over their heart. Hats are taken off and placed over the heart.

The American flag represents bravery, so it is used to mourn the loss of people who served in the United States Military. Lowering the flag to half-staff represents mourning of an individual.

A special day to lower the flag is Memorial Day, and this day has rules, too. It’s half-staff until noon, and then from noon until sunset it is at full staff.

When someone involved in the military dies, a flag is placed over the casket with the blue section placed over the head and left shoulder. The flag doesn’t go in the grave.

The red, white and blue means so much to President of the American Legion Auxiliary Jane Benzel.

“To me, it means proud to be an American. I’m proud to fly it since I came from a military family.”