U.S. Flag Unit

1. U.S. Flag Unit

2. U.S. Flag • Who designed our flag? • Robert G. Heft- Designer of America’s Current National Flag • 1958, Bob was a Junior at LHS in Ohio. In History class he was assigned to design a 50 star flag • Congress approved Heft’s design after Pres. Eisenhower selected it. • Heft has all the 51 to 60 star flags submitted if they are ever needed.

3. U.S. Flag • Continental Congress- • Resolved that the flag of the U.S, be 13 stripes, alternate red & white, the union be 13 stars, white on a blue field representing a new constellation. • The U.S.Flag colors do not have meaning but…. • On the Presidential Seal they mean: • White- purity and innocence • Red- hardiness and valor • Blue- vigilance, perseverance, and justice • The Bennington flag followed the outline but was different. Can you list some differences? • Seven point stars, white stripes first, last two digits of independence years in blue field.

4. U.S. Flag • It is believed that Betsy Ross designed the first flag in Philadelphia, PA • As the Union grew in size the constellations took on different shapes and configurations. • In 1892 the “Pledge of Allegiance” was published and “under God” was added in 1954. • In 2000, legal movement was started to remove those two words

5. U.S. Flag • U.S. Flags have been taken into battle and raised in victory. • Patriotism is shown at scenes of disaster with the Flag. • The U.S. Flag has been placed on the moon surface 6 times.

6. Famous Symbols of Our Country • American Flag is our most important symbol • Uncle Sam was started by a meat producer named Samuel Wilson • Bald Eagle is another very well known American Symbol • Statue of Liberty and Liberty Bell are symbols that represent liberty and freedom to all.

7. U.S. Flag • Under the executive order • of the President, V.P. (or) Governor / Lt.Gov. the U.S. Flag will be flown at half-mast for a set period of days • The death of a political or military leader or a disaster resulting in many deaths of Americans can be reason for the executive order. • A Flag hung upside down is a sign of distress. • Never hang a flag upside down unless life/property is in danger. • Report any flag flying upside down to authorities

8. OTHER NAMES FOR THE U.S. FLAG • The Stars and Stripes is the descriptive name of the U.S. Flag. Many poets and song writers use this to define the flag. • Old Glory was said as Captain Driver saw his flag open up. • Star Spangled Banner used by Key to define the flag flying over fort McHenry (National Anthem 1931)

9. U.S. Flag • In 1795, VT & KY joined the Union. Two stars and two stripes were added. • 1814-Francis Scott Key- wrote the words that later became our National Anthem -“The Star -Spangled Banner” • For almost 25 years the Flag had 15 stripes and 15 stars. • 1818 Congress limited the Flag to 13 stripes representing the thirteen original states. A new star was added for each new state.

10. U.S. Flag • Two or three flags may fly on the same flagpole. • The U.S. Flag must be flown on the top and be larger.The other flag(s) should be smaller in size than the U.S. Flag. • The Naval Chaplain’s flag is the only flag that can fly above the U.S. Flag while he is on board ship. (by tradition) • State flags may never be flown above U.S. Flag • Religious flags should be flown on a separate flagpole. • Other Country flags should not be flown on the same pole as the U.S. Flag • CA High School students protesting disgraced the flag by flying it upside down under the Mexican Flag.(2006)

11. U.S. Burial Flag • Veterans who die have the right to a flag draped casket. • Civil Servants and Government Leaders also have this option. • Burial flags are folded at the funeral and should not to be used again. • Burial flags are 5 X 9 1/2 ft. (not proportional)

12. U.S. Flag • The Flag is raised “briskly” but put down “slowly”. • When raised, stand looking at the flag. • Men should remove head gear. • Proper folding of a flag has meaning and tradition • U.S. Flag is always folded with the blue field showing and in a triangular shape. • Three or more people should fold the flag.

13. U.S. Flag • The U.S. Flag should NOT be: • dipped to any person or thing • used as drapery, desk covering, or decoration. (Bunting is used.) • used for advertising a product • attached to anything like clothing, hats, pants (except uniform sleeves) • used as a receptacle for receiving, carrying, or delivering anything.

14. U.S. Flag • Flags should not be burned in public for any reason. This is a symbol of our Nation. It is considered a living thing! • Unserviceable Flags: • Disposal of old worn flags should be done by the flag code. • Burning is best but only in private. • Boxes are provided at some public places for old worn flags. Boy Scouts will take these flags and dispose of them at a Honorable Flag Burning Ceremony.

15. Questionsand Answers • Are you required to destroy a flag if it touches the ground? • No. Just try to keep it from touching the ground • What does the gold fringe mean on a flag. • Seen first in 1835, it was approved in 1995 as part of the Army flag-Honorable enrichment • May U.S. flags be flown in bad weather? • Yes, but it should be a weather-proof flag. • What does it mean when the flag is not flying over the White House? • The President of the U.S. is not there.

16. Questionsand Answers • A vexillologist is an expert in what? • The history of the flags • Is it proper to fly the U.S. flag at night? • Yes. The Flag Code states it must be illuminated during the hours of darkness. • Who cut the Flag up into pieces and was honored for doing so? • Robert Peary- scattered the flag on the N.Pole • What foreign country was first to have a U.S. flag flown over it? • Tripoli, Libya - marines who beat pirates-1805

17. Questionsand Answers • Who wrote the Pledge of Allegiance? • Francis Bellamy • Who wrote the Star-Spangled Banner? • Francis Scott Key • Who is given credit for sewing the first U.S. Flag? • Betsy Ross • In whose honor does the U.S. Flag get the name “Old Glory”? • Captain William Driver

18. Vocabulary • Reveille-a ceremony / signal to raise the U.S. Flag • Retreat-a ceremony / signal to lower the U.S. Flag • Hoist briskly- raise the U.S. Flag quickly • Descend slowly- lower the U.S. Flag unhurriedly • Taps- a bugle call given at a funeral / memorial service of a veteran or public servant • National Colors- Another name for U.S. Flag • Mast- flag pole or staff • Honor Guard- a military or civilian group that protects and displays the U.S. Flag in a ceremony