When I was in fifth grade at Oak Forest Elementary, Val Jahnke and I (and one other kid) were given the honor of being on Flag Patrol. That meant we were the ones who oversaw the raising and lowering of the American Flag on the school grounds every day. We took our job very seriously, even reporting that other kid to the principal for not taking it seriously enough.
Today, desecration and burning of the flag is defined as Constitutionally Protected Free Speech, but we were sure that we could go to jail – or was it Hell? – if we allowed the flag to touch the ground.
Supreme Court notwithstanding, there are federally mandated rules of flag etiquette. Unlike most federal laws, there are no defined penalties for breaking the rules and no means of enforcement.
Everyone thinks they know the rules, but most are wrong on one aspect or another. For example, were you aware that the law states that the flag should only be flown at half-staff until noon today, then raised to the top of the pole?
The actual guidelines can be read Here.
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