(Cushing, Okla.) Ever wondered what to do with a tattered and/or worn flag?
Cushing American Legion Post 108 has recently installed a worn American Flag deposit container at the Post Building location at Noble and Cherry St. The container is a former neighborhood United States Post Office container that has been painted white and clearly identified as a U.S. Flag Depository.
Federal law stipulates many aspects of flag etiquette. The section of law dealing with American Flag etiquette is generally referred to as the Flag Code. The following are general guidelines from the Flag Code that answer the most common questions regarding flag etiquette.
The flag should be lighted at all times, either by sunlight or by an appropriate light source.
The flag should be flown in fair weather, unless the flag is designed for inclement weather use.
The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal.
The flag should not be used for any decoration in general. Buntin of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue strip of the bunting should be on the top.
The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such article as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use.
Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard.
The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, with the exception of a flag patch used on the uniform of military personnel, fireman, policeman and members of patriotic organizations.
The flag should never have any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind placed on it, or attached to it.
The flag should never be used for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms. To store the flag, it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.
The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary.
When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.
The last general rule of the Flag Code is a service that the Cushing American Legion Post 108 and many other Veterans organizations provide. The container, located at the America Legion Post in Cushing, is provided for the citizens of Cushing and surrounding communities for the collection of worn American flags only.
Anyone with questions or concerns about the American Flag or the purchase of a new flag, please feel free to call Carey Seigle at 918-223-6582 or contact any Legion Post 108 member.
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