On July 5th, my husband and I were driving around in Richmond’s 1920s neighborhoods, looking for Sears Homes. We turned down a street and found this, an enormous American flag draped between a wire, strung between two trees (see below). It was a beautiful site and a lovely thing to behold. It was so beautiful, that I paused to snap a photo.

Patriotism seems to have become almost passe in some circles. We have a president who apologizes for our country, and bows deeply to foreign potentates. Miscreants burn and decimate our flag, and their activities are protected by the courts under a skewed interpretation of the right to free speech.

Henry Drummond, a Victorian essayist, once wrote that being polite and well-mannered is simply a way of showing “love in the trifles.” Showing respect toward our flag is a way of showing our appreciation for America and all that this nation represents.

For those who care about showing “love in the trifles,” below are listed proper rules of “Flag Etiquette.”

1)  The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal.
2)  The flag should not be used as a drapery, or for covering a speakers desk, draping a platform, or 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.
3) 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.
4) 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.

5) The flag should never have placed on it, or attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind.
6) The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.

Source:  http://www.usflag.org/flagetiquette.html

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