Patriotism, a Call to Honor
In this time of angst, and divisiveness, it is important for us all to remember we are AMERICANS. And with that, we must also remember those that have sacrificed so much so that we all may enjoy the freedoms of Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
To that end, the La Grange Noon Lions Club launched its flag subscription program with the first flag placements for Veterans Day. Fifty flags were placed at subscriber residences and businesses to honor all of those who have served the country in war or peace. The La Grange community enjoys a great deal of reverence for our veterans, and the flag program follows the Flag Code to acknowledge and honor our women and men veterans.
The Flag Code became Public Law 77-623; chapter 435, on June 22, 1942. The flag of the United States is defined according to title 4, United States Code, Chapter 1, Section 1 and Section 2 and Executive Order 10834. The Supreme Court has since ruled that politically motivated violations of the Flag Code are protected by the First Amendment and the Flag Code has no provision for enforcement, no fines, and no penalties. Yet that does not exempt all Americans from treating the Flag with respect and following proper flag etiquette when handling the flag. Everyone will recall grade school admonishments to never let the flag touch the ground. But there is much more to flag etiquette.
The American flag should never be carried horizontally and in fact should be moved vertically, with the flag free. And with that, the flag should not be dipped for anything or any person. When carried in a procession of flags it should be in the center in front of the other flags and no other flag should be higher (except during church services by a naval chaplain at sea when the church pennant may be flown above the flag.)
When the flag is displayed with a Texas flag, the American flag should be on its own right (left of those facing the flag) and its staff should be in front of the Texas flag. The position on the flag’s right is the position of honor, established when the right hand was the “weapon hand” and the right hand raised without a weapon, was a sign of peace.
Most importantly, “no disrespect should be shown to the flag of the Unites States ofAmerica.” The flag should never be flown with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress. The flag should never touch anything beneath it including the ground, water or merchandise. And, the flag should never have any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, picture or drawing of any nature placed upon it.
While the Flag Code states the custom is to fly the flag only from sunrise to sunset, the flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if it is properly illuminated with a light source sufficient to illuminate the flag so it is recogniz-able by the casual observer. And lastly, the Flag Code states “the flag should not be displayed on days when weather is inclement, except when an all-weather flag is displayed.”
Fifty flags were placed throughout La Grange the day before Veterans day, and were picked up the day after. Our goal is to place 300 flags over La Grange during four flag holidays that include Veterans Day, Presidents Day, Memorial Day, and Independence Day. If you enjoy seeing the flags and want to share your patriotism, contact any La Grange Noon Lion for a $75 annual subscription for four flag placements.
The La Grange Noon Lions Club was founded in 1928 with a mission quite simply . . . “To Serve.” If you are interested in learning more about how we serve our community, or are interested in becoming a member of the club, contact Lion Sam Wilson at sam@offln.com.