The Stars and Stripes

1. The Stars and Stripes Unit 1, Chapter 1, Lesson 6 Pages 52-59

2. Key Terms • Color(s) – the U.S. national flags • Ensign – a flag that is displayed or flown from an aircraft, ships, or boats as the symbol of nationality • Garrison Flag – type of flag; 20 feet by 38 feet, flown on holidays and important occasion • Half-staff – positioning the flag halfway down the staff as a sign of respect to a person or group of people • Halyard – a rope or tackle that is used for hoisting or lowering the flag • Pennant – a long, narrow flag tapered to a point or a swallowtail at the end • Post flag – type of flag used for everyday occasions; 10 feet by 19 feet • Staff – another word for flag pole used to carry unit guidon or colors. • Standard – a term now interchangeable with colors although formerly it was used for flags of mounted, motorized, and mechanical organization • Storm flag – type of flag flown in bad weather; 5 feet by 9.5 feet • Union – The emblem on a flag symbolizing unity, such as the blue rectangle and stars on the United States Flag.

3. Introduction • In 1776, when George Washington took command of the Continental Army at Cambridge, Massachusetts, he took under the grand Union flag. • To establish our independence from England the Continental Congress in Philadelphia had the stars and strips created on June 14, 1776 • Most historians give Betsy rose credit for sewing the flag but there is not evidence to prove this

4. What does the flag represent • The stripes – represent the 13 original colonies alternating between red and white • The stars – represent the 50 states collectively and as a whole which is why no state is assigned a star • White – purity, hope, and innocence • Red – hardness and valor • Blue – reverence to God, loyalty, violence, preservation, and justice

5. Dates to Remember • 1776 – Gorge Washington takes control of the Continental army under the Grand Union Flag • June 14, 1776 – the Continental Congress approves the Stars and Stripes. • 1794 – first changes to the flag when Kentucky and Vermont • 1818 – the law was passed to keep the number of stripes at 13 • 1916 – issued the flag to have six rows of eight stars • 1959 – the most recent change in the flag adding the 49th and 50th states to the union • June 14 – Flag Day

6. Flag Day • On June 14, 1889, George Balch, a kindergarten teacher held a day for his students to learn more about the flag • His idea was the adopted by the state Bored or Education of New York • On June 14, 1891, Betsy Ross House in Philadelphia held a Flag Day Celebration, the same day the next year the Sons of the Revolution did the same thing. • On August 3, 1949 President Truman sighed that Act of Congress designated June 14th of each year as Flag Day

7. Types of Flags • Garrison Flag – 20 feet by 38 feet • Government Buildings and Military installations fly this flag on all national holidays and for special occasions • Post Flag – 8 feet, 11 3/8 inches by 17 feet • This flag is for general display on days when it is not appropriate for the garrison flag • Storm Flag – 5 feet by 9.5 feet • State and federal governments fly this flag only during stormy or windy weather

8. Respect for the U.S. Flag • You should always honor the flag with respect and dignity • Even when the flag is old and tattered you do not use it for banners or in a disrespectful way • If you do not preserve it, you should destroy it as a whole, privately, respectfully, and traditionally, by burning. • Always show respect for the flag in civilian or military attire

9. In Uniform • When in your JROTC uniform it is very important that you show respect for the US flag, other will look at you as a leader and will fallow your lead on how to respect the flag • When the colors come within 6 steps of you, you will stand at attention and render a hand salute until it has passed 6 steps behind you. Only do this when outside in uniform. • When indoors and in uniform you will stand at attention until the flag is 6 steps past you

10. In civilian cloths • When outdoors stand at attention with your had over you heart when the flag is 6 steps in front of you and until it is 6 steps past you. • When indoors stand at attention until the colors are 6 steps past you

11. Rules for displaying the U.S. Flagoutdoors • Presidential proclamation contain rules for displaying a flag at Half-Staff • For example on memorial day the flag is displayed at half-staff until noon then raised to the top of the staff • The flag is also flown at half staff for the death of a president, former president, dignitary, or other important deaths • When lowering a flag to half-staff first you raise it to full staff then lower it to half-staff, when lowering a flag from half-staff you raise it to full staff then lower it • It is customary to display the flag from sunrise to sunset, but you can display it during the night if • You have adequate lighting on the flag • It is a all weather flag for incase of bad weather

12. Rules for displaying the U.S. Flag Full Staff On a wall Half-Staff

13. Display of the US Flag Alone • When displaying the national flag from a window shield, balcony, or front of a building, the union should always be at the staffs peak • When displaying the flag on a wall the union should be uppermost and to the flags own right, or the observers left • When displaying the flag in a window, place it with the union to the left of the observer on the street • When displayed suspended across a street, the flag should be vertical, with the union to the north on an east-west street, or to the east on a north-south street • When suspended the flag on the edge of the sidewalk on the side of a building, raise the flag out from the building towards the pole, union first. • When the flag is lowered over a casket, place it so that the union is at the head and over the left shoulder. • Never lower the flag into the grave, nor allow it to touch the ground

14. Group Display • When 2 or more national flags are flown from different nations raise them on different poles at the same height • When displaying multiple flags and displaying them from staffs radiating from a center point, center the nation flag or raise it higher then the other flag. • When carried in a procession with other flags ensure the American flag is on the far right of the row of marching persons or, if in a line of flags, carry in the front and center position of that line • When flying a pennant or another flag on the same halyard with the national flag you must always fly the national flag at the peak of the pole above the other flags • The only exception to this rule is at the United Nations Headquarters or church pennant at sea. • When displaying the national flag with another flag from a crossed staff, place the national flag on its own staff in front of the staff of the other flag • When displaying the U.S. flag from a staff in an auditorium, meeting hall, or chapel, weather on the same floor level or on a platform, it should be in the position of honor to the speakers or chaplains right facing the audience or congregation. Place other flags on the left of the speaker or chaplain; that is, to the right of the audience.

15. Folding the Flag Correctly • Bring the lower striped section of the flag up over the blue field • Fold the “folded edge” over to meet the “open edge.” • Start a triangular fold by bringing the lower striped corner to the “open edge.” • Fold the outer point inward and parallel with the “open edge” to form a second triangle. • Continue to fold the flag in triangles until the entire length of the flag is folded with only the blue field and the margin showing. • Tuck the margin into the pocket formed by the folds at the blue field edge of the flag. • When you have completely folded the flag, only the blue field should be visible, and it should have the triangle shape of a cocked hat.

16. 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.” • This version is slightly different from the original version drawn up in 1892 by “the Youths Companion” in Boston. • Schools first used this in schools that same year to celebrate Columbus day. • Almost 50 years later, the Pledge of Allegiance received official recognition by congress on June 22,1942 • On June 14, 1954 the phrase was added to the Pledge

17. Conclusion • The flag of the united states has a rich heritage from the original Stars and Strips to the 50-star version that we have now. • It represents an independent nation and its own rights. • Different people respect the flag in different ways

18. Lesson Review • Which flag did George Washington and the Continental Army use? • When was the Stars and Stripes created? • When is Flag day? • When in civil dress, what should you do when a flag passes in front of you?