6/14/10

Flag Day In Texas!!!

Boy Howdy, today's the day Proud Americans and Proud Texans  get out their Flags and Poles.
Now, here in Texas, Ya'll might think we get a bit carried away with Who,Where, Why and How the flags are displayed. 
There are some guidelines:

United States of America 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. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe 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 articles 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, except that a flag patch may be 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.
 
 
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."


The Pledge of Allegiance was written in August 1892 by the socialist minister Francis Bellamy (1855-1931). It was originally published in The Youth's Companion on September 8, 1892. Bellamy had hoped that the pledge would be used by citizens in any country.
The Texas State flag is the national flag of the Republic of Texas, adopted on January 24, 1839. The Lone Star flag, designed by William Wharton has flown over Texas since then and is considered the fourth of Texas's six national flags.

~The Texas flag, according to the Flag Code, "shall be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously".
~The blue field, shall be against the flag pole and the white stripe shall be at the top, except in the case of a life and death emergency. That means, if the flag is flying upside down, you are in mortal danger.
~When you display the Texas flag, the flag should not touch the ground, should always be on a flag pole and should always be allowed to wave free. It should be displayed with appropriate lighting if out after dark, and should not be flown in inclement weather.
~The only flag that can be flown above the Texas flag on a single flag pole is the United States flag, but it is recommended that the Texas flag have its own flag pole of equal height to the United States flag.
~If the Texas flag is passing, as in a parade, you should - if you are a citizen of Texas - stand, remove your hat, and place your right hand over your heart. If you are not a citizen of Texas, you are expected to remove your hat and stand reverently, until the flag has passed.
~If you are carrying the Texas flag, it shall never be dipped to anyone or anything, except as a sign of honor to the United States flag. You should not draw it back or up in folds, it should be held in such a way that it will fly free.
The Texas Pledge of Allegiance:
"Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible."
The Pledge of Allegiance may be recited at any public or private meeting when the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States flag is recited, and it should come after the pledge to the United States flag.

My Fellow Texan
 Flag Day Post
full of great Americana Flag Information!

9 comments:

  1. Woo hoo! Great flag post, Sue!

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  2. Sue, thank you for the "shout out". I appreciate it. I've returned the favor and added a link to yours on my Flag Day post.
    In Kit Hinrichs' exhibit, he addresses the fact that "despite the government's legal restrictions adopted in 1912 and 1934, the exhibit illustrates that popular interpretations of the flag motif have continued to proliferate, resulting a a rich visual history of a true American icon." I should go back and add this quote to my post. :-)
    Hope you enjoy a beautiful Flag Day in Texas! ~ Sarah

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  3. Ours is flying high today here in Idaho, sugar!!! Hoooorah for the USA
    xoxo,
    Connie

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  4. Happy Flag Day!!
    Thanks for all the Texas Flag info. Next thing ya know I'll be a real Texan!! (well, maybe after a few more years of livin' here)

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  5. Happy Flag Day to my patriotic friend. Love all the wonderful info. Ours is out here in Kansas too.

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  6. Your pictures make me smile...of course I LOVE flag day! What a great post about flag etiquette..I will have to post that next year..great and informative information that every American should know. Thanks for your sweet visit..Nice to meet another patriotic person!! I will follow your blog now that I've found it!

    Miss Bloomers

    P.S. I lived in Austin for 3 years and went to UT...hook em horns...shhhh.. I live in Sooner land now! LOL

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  7. LOL...just looked and I'm already a follower!! I guess my memory is starting to go!!!

    Miss Bloomers/Sonia

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  8. Thanks Sue

    Ours is flying freely in the breeze!

    Leann

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