Posted on 09/11/2005 9:38:50 AM PDT by ElkGroveDan
Flags are already at half-mast for Hurricane Katrina Vidtims.
What do you do with your old flags? I thought you're supposed to burn or bury them, but I can't bring myself to do it. Hence, I have a stack of used flags and don't know what to do with them.
You already have a reason to fly your flag at half-staff.
Proclamation by the President: Death of William HR Rehnquist
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America
As a mark of respect for William H. Rehnquist, Chief Justice of the United States, I hereby order, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States of America, including section 7 of title 4, United States Code, that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and on all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset, Tuesday, September 13, 2005. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same period at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirtieth.
I thought they were in honor of Rehnquist.
You can fly it at night as long as you have a spotlight continually on it.
Give old flags to a local Boy Scout troop, they know what to do with them. You can find the Boy Scouts in the white pages under Boy Scouts of America
Right now both for Katrina and Renquest
also note this from your President:
Patriot Day, 2005
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America
Four years have passed since our country was brutally attacked on a quiet September morning. On that day, thousands of innocent lives were taken from us. The victims and the families who lost loved ones remain in the hearts and prayers of our Nation. We also remember the courage of the firefighters, police officers, emergency rescue personnel, and scores of private citizens who showed us the true meaning of heroism and demonstrated our resolve to the world.
The mission that began on September 11, 2001, continues. Today, we see the virtue of the September 11th heroes embodied in our military personnel, who are taking the fight to our enemies and helping to keep us safe at home. Thousands of other Americans, from intelligence analysts to border guards to countless others, are doing vital work to help defend America and prevent future attacks. We are grateful to all of these men and women and to their families for their service and sacrifice. We honor those who have lost their lives defending our freedom, and we pray that God comfort their families. We pledge that we will not rest until we have won the war on terror.
As we mark this solemn anniversary, I call upon all our citizens to express their patriotism and their gratitude for the blessings of liberty. By flying the flag, supporting military families, and teaching young people about our founding ideals, we honor the lives lost on September 11, 2001, and since, and we help preserve our freedom for future generations.
By a joint resolution approved December 18, 2001 (Public Law 107 89), the Congress has designated September 11 of each year as "Patriot Day."
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim September 11, 2005, as Patriot Day. I call upon the Governors of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, as well as appropriate officials of all units of government, to direct that the flag be flown at half staff on Patriot Day. I call upon the people of the United States to observe Patriot Day with appropriate ceremonies and activities, including remembrance services, to display the flag at half staff from their homes on that day, and to observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m. eastern daylight time to honor the innocent victims who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this ninth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirtieth.
GEORGE W. BUSH
# # #
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/09/20050909-12.html
The US Flag code on this changed some years ago. It is available on line and in any good Almanac.
I installed an automatic spotlight on it, so unless it's raining, I never take it down. We get some pretty strong wind in the fall here that will shred even a good nylon flag. I figure $30 three times a year isn't so much to honor the flag that my ancestors fought and died for.
"My flag is old and ready to be retired. What should I do?"
Section 8k of the Flag Code states, "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." We recommend that you contact your local VFW Chapter and ask them for help properly disposing of your flag. And be sure to consider providing a small donation to them for their assistance. Or you can contact your local Elks Lodge (who created the idea of Flag Day, established officially by President Truman, himself a member of the Elks), the American Legion, or the Knights of Columbus. Some Boy Scout and Girl Scout troups also can provide this service.
Here's all you need to know about displaying our Flag:
http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetiq.html
I used to have the same problem, but I discovered that my local VFW would take them and dispose of them respectfully, so that's another possibility with the Boy Scouts.
Here's what I found. I cannot locate a Presidential Proclamation for today regarding September 11th. Maybe there's some other way you could display your respect today...?
Your flag should be flown at half-mast upon reliable information that a past or present President or Vice-President has died. It should also be flown at half-staff upon Presidential proclamation. See Section 7-M below for more information.
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. On Memorial Day the flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon only, then raised to the top of the staff. By order of the President, the flag shall be flown at half-staff upon the death of principal figures of the United States Government and the Governor of a State, territory, or possession, as a mark of respect to their memory. In the event of the death of other officials or foreign dignitaries, the flag is to be displayed at half-staff according to Presidential instructions or orders, or in accordance with recognized customs or practices not inconsistent with law. In the event of the death of a present or former official of the government of any State, territory, or possession of the United States, the Governor of that State, territory, or possession may proclaim that the National flag shall be flown at half-staff. The flag shall be flown at half-staff 30 days from the death of the President or a former President; 10 days from the day of death of the Vice President, the Chief Justice or a retired Chief Justice of the United States, or the Speaker of the House of Representatives; from the day of death until interment of an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, a Secretary of an executive or military department, a former Vice President, or the Governor of a State, territory, or possession; and on the day of death and the following day for a Member of Congress. The flag shall be flown at half-staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day, unless that day is also Armed Forces Day. As used in this subsection -
o the term "half-staff" means the position of the flag when it is one-half the distance between the top and bottom of the staff;
o the term "executive or military department" means any agency listed under sections 101 and 102 of title 5, United States Code; and
o the term "Member of Congress" means a Senator, a Representative, a Delegate, or the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico.
Flag is never to be flown in the dark or rain.
I think that has been changed a little. If the flag material is suitable for inclement weather it may be flown in the rain.
It should be retired at sunset if it is not lighted.
Interesting. I live in the Southeast and fly mine during good weather and it looks brand new although it is about two years old. But we do not usually get strong winds (the weather would be more acceptable if we DID every now and again.) Also the tall southern pines protect it from the harshest sunlight.
Me, too.
Drove by a school yesterday and their flag was at half staff. My daughter-in-law thought it was for the flood victims.
I said "I think it's for Rehnquist."
Proclamation posted on post #10
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