F.L.A.G. Fly, Lower, And, Gather

1. F.L.A.G.Fly, Lower, And, Gather Mission Statement: The F.L.A.G. Program was created to instill pride and respect among students towards the United States and State Flag. Students will be held accountable for the proper Flying, Lowering, And Gathering of the United States and State Flag during the school year. Students who participate in this program will be recognized with a Citizenship Award presented by the sponsors of the F.L.A.G. Program. This will be the model for all school districts to duplicate and emulate.

2. How the F.L.A.G. Evolved: Every Fall across America a new school year begins. In many of these schools a tradition that began in the late 1800’s of paying homage to the American flag continues. On October 21, 1892, children in schools across the nation participated in an event to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’s landing in North America. Among the patriotic activities of the day the ritual of citing the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag began. Though today we often still see this tradition, steeped in rich, prideful history, we also have come to find that the significance and history of our flag has lost its luster in many facets. The power of one is a term we’ve all heard, but few truly believe one person can make a difference. The birth of the F.L.A.G. Program is such a case. In the Fall of 2010, Jim Rodriguez was doing what most parents were doing, taking his daughter to school. Day after day as Jim dropped her off he could not help but notice the American flag, being raised in a manner not befitting of this national treasure. • Fly, Lower, And, Gather

3. The school employee assigned to the task was doing his duties to the best of his knowledge and ability. But as a retired veteran of the United States Air Force Jim couldn’t help but shudder seeing the flag rolled up, carried casually under one’s arm, before securing it to the flag pole to be raised for the day. No one noticed, no one paused to pay their respect, it had become just a routine of the day. Jim took action. He called the principal of the school and proposed an idea to engage the students in restoring the tradition, teaching them the history, the etiquette and proper protocol surrounding the American flag. He enlisted the services of SSgt. Jose Rivera, a United States Army Recruiter and together they launched the first class of the F.L.A.G. Program. The support they received from Waxahachie ISD, their student council, and administrative staff helped to bring this dream to reality. We feel it is significant to remember the history of our American flag, to instill patriotism and pride back into our schools and never forget those who fight for our freedom, and this nation. Together, we pledge allegiance to this grand flag, for which it stands.

4. The F.L.A.G. Program • A Teacher Representative will assist in planning, organizing, coordinating, directing, and controlling this program. • The Board of Directors will communicate, educate, motivate, and evaluate the program’s objectives to students. • Students will be challenged to recruit volunteers that will participate in the F.L.A.G. Program. • Volunteers will be taught the proper procedures of the F.L.A.G. Program and be scheduled to perform this duty throughout the school year.

5. Proper Display of the Flag The flag should be displayed from sunrise to sunset. If the flag is displayed at night it should be illuminated. Never allow the flag to touch the ground or the floor. When displayed on a wall or window the blue field should be in the upper left corner. The flag should be raised quickly and lowered ceremoniously. The flag is often flown at half-staff to show respect for someone who has died. When flown at half-staff, the flag should be raised to the top for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The flag should also be raised to the top before it is lowered at the end of the day.

6. F.L.A.G. Procedures

7. How to fold the Flag

8. STEP 1 To properly fold the Flag, begin by holding it waist-high with another person so that its surface is parallel to the ground.

9. STEP 2 Fold the lower half of the stripe section lengthwise over the field of stars, holding the bottom and top edges securely.

10. STEP 3 Fold the flag again lengthwise with the blue field on the outside.

11. STEP 4 Make a triangular fold by bringing the striped corner of the folded edge to meet the open (top) edge of the flag.

12. STEP 5 Turn the outer (end) point inward, parallel to the open edge, to form a second triangle.

13. STEP 6 The triangular folding is continued until the entire length of the flag is folded in this manner.

14. STEP 7 When the flag is completely folded, only a triangular blue field of stars should be visible.

15. CURRICULUM Question and Answer Style to be implemented as ‘bell-ringers.’

16. What is Vexillology? The study of flags Why does a properly folded U.S. flag resemble a triangle? To represent the Minuteman hat worn by George Washington’s troops

17. What color should never be seen when the U.S. flag is properly folded? Red • What does the 3rd fold of the U.S. flag represent? The veteran who has served his or her country

18. How many rows of stars are on the U.S. flag? 9 • Who wrote the Pledge of Allegiance and in what year? Francis Bellamy, 1892

19. Why is the year 1818 significant in the history of the U.S. flag? Congress enacted a law to keep the original 13 stripes and add a star for each new state. • When a state is admitted into the Union, when is that state’s star added to the flag? On the following July 4th

20. Which U.S. President signed an Act of Congress designating the annual observance of National Flag Day? Harry Truman • What year did Congress pass legislation designating National Flag Day, and on what month and day is it celebrated? 1949, June 14th

21. In what year did the Continental Congress pass a resolution establishing an official flag for our nation? 1777 According to legend, who is widely believed to have made the first American flag? Betsy Ross

22. In what year is Betsy Ross purported to have made the first American flag? 1776 When a flag is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, what should be done with it? It should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.

23. What official documentation prescribes the customs and rules governing the display and use of the flag of the United States by civilians? The U.S. Flag Code(Title 4, Chapter 1 of the U.S. Code) What is the height of an official flagpoleon a U.S. military base? 50 feet

24. Where is the only place a U.S. flag can be flown at half-mast? On a ship at sea (“half-staff” is the term used on land) • What is the term used for the ball ornament on top of a flagpole? Truck

25. According to legend, what three items are contained inside the truck (ball ornament) on top of a flagpole, and why? A bullet, a razor blade, and a match. If in battle, and the military post is being overrun, the last person is to use the bullet to fire one last shot at the enemy, the razor blade to cut the field out of the flag, and the match to burn the flag. “We would rather burn our flag than surrender it to the enemy.”

26. What is the proper way for a civilian to salute the flag? Right hand over the heart

27. What is the proper way to drape a U.S. flag over a casket? With the union at the head and over the left shoulder Where in America is the U.S. flag flown with no place of honor? The United Nations building (where it is flown in a position of equal prominence or honor with the flags of other nations)

28. What do the stars on the American flag represent? Each star represents one of the 50 states • When is it appropriate to fly the U.S. flag at half-staff? Upon the death of principal figures in the United States Government and other officials according to Presidential instructions or orders, and in some cases according to orders from a State Governor for the national flag to be flown at half-staff in that state

29. How many triangular folds are there in a properly folded U.S. flag? 12 • What year was the U.S. flag first depicted on a postage stamp? 1869

30. What term is used for raising the flag briskly? Reveille • What term is used for lowering the flag ceremoniously? Retreat

31. The American flag should never be allowed to touch ________________. anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise. (It should be received by waiting hands and arms.)

32. How many stripes are on the American flag and what do they represent? 13 • The original 13 colonies: • Delaware • Pennsylvania • New Jersey • Georgia • Connecticut • Massachusetts • Maryland • South Carolina  • New Hampshire  • Virginia • New York • North Carolina • Rhode Island

33. What is the official nickname for the American Flag? Old Glory What inspired Francis Scott Key to write the National Anthem? During and after the Battle of Fort McHenry (during the War of 1812), on September 14, 1814, the rockets’ red glare and the bombs bursting in air revealed that our flag was still flying!

34. What does the color red represent on the U.S. Flag? Hardiness and Valor What does the color white represent on the U.S. Flag? Purity and Innocence What does the color blue represent on the U.S. Flag? Vigilance

35. When flags of States, cities, or localities are flown from adjacent staffs, when should the flag of the United States be raised and lowered in relation to the other flags? Raised first, lowered last What year did Congress officially recognize the Pledge of Allegiance? 1942 What year were the words “under God” added to the Pledge of Allegiance? 1954

36. When displayed at night, care should be taken to properly _________ the flag. illuminate When and where did the flag first fly with 50 stars? 1960 over Fort McHenry in Baltimore, where Francis Scott Key wrote “The Star-Spangled Banner”

37. Where is a brand new flag flown each day? At the White House. The Office of the President gifts these certified flags to deserving organizations and individuals.

38. On what holiday should the American flag be flown at half-staff until noon? Memorial Day • What European nation was the first to officially salute the new U.S. flag, and in what year? France, 1777

39. When did the U.S. Army begin flying the American flag? 1834. Until that time, the U.S. Navy was the only branch of the military to do so. National flags were needed at sea in order to identify a ship’s nationality. • When was “Stars and Stripes Forever” written and by whom? 1896, John Philip Sousa

40. Who made the flag that flew over Fort McHenry, that would later inspire Francis Scott Key to write “The Star-Spangled Banner”? Mary Pickersgill How big was the “Star-Spangled Banner” flag that flew over Fort McHenry during the battle that inspired the National Anthem? 42 feet by 30 feet

41. Under what circumstance is it acceptable to fly the flag upside down? As a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property

42. When a flag is to be flown at half-staff, it should first be _______________ when hoisted. This should be done again before the flag is lowered for the day. raised to its peak When displayed with other non-national flags, where should the flag of the United States of America be displayed? At the center and highest point of the group

43. The Pledge of Allegiance 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. Written by Francis Bellamy, 1892 Columbus Day

44. Awards Ceremony Each participating school will conduct an awards ceremony at the end of the school year. Students will receive a Citizenship Award. Please direct all inquiries to: Jim Rodriguez jilrod54@sbcglobal.net

45. 2015-2016 Participating Schools • The F.L.A.G. Program currently serves students in Texas, Arizona, and Colorado. • We will add schools in Kansas during the 2015-2016 school year.

46. Please visit the F.L.A.G. Program website: TheFlagProgram.org