The Martha's Vineyard Times: Flags fly for all to see, but flag etiquette often goes unobserved

Flags fly for all to see, but flag etiquette often goes unobserved

By Tamar Russell - May 25, 2006

Memorial Day, established as a national holiday to honor the nation's war dead, was conceived in the wake of one of the country's bloodiest and most bitter conflicts.

Three years after the end of the Civil War, General John Logan, National Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, issued General Order No. 11 on May 5, 1868, recognizing the holiday. On May 30, flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers buried at the Arlington National Cemetery.

On Martha's Vineyard and across the nation, communities will hold formal ceremonies on Monday, Memorial Day, to honor those who have sacrificed their lives in the service of the United States. The centerpiece of those ceremonies will be the United States flag.

Coast guardsman Jose Adams: Photo by Sara Piazza

Coast guardsman Jose Adams raises the colors at Station Menemsha. Photo by Sara Piazza

Many towns, businesses, and organizations that display the flag use the approach of Memorial Day as an opportunity to replace flags worn and battered by the elements. An informal visual survey conducted by The Times on April 28 found that of approximately 30 flags flown on public or commercial properties, not all are in good condition or properly displayed.

In Vineyard Haven, for example, the flags flying in front of the police department and fire department were in good condition. Town officials said the flags are well maintained and flown daily.

Tisbury raises and lowers flags daily at three other locations, The Oak Grove Cemetery, Owen Park and Veterans' Park.

Flag display - the traditional protocol

The use and display of the United States flag is quite specific. Several web sites provide information on where, when and how to fly the flag, when and how to put the flag up and take it down, and what to do with the flag when it is in poor condition.

The following rules are found on the Boy Scouts of America web site (www.scouting.org):

The U.S. Flag Code, adopted in 1923 and amended by Public Law 94-344 in 1976, states "It is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset ... However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness."

When flags or pennants of states, cities, or societies are flown with the national flag on the same halyard, the U.S. flag should fly at the peak, above all others.

When the national flag is displayed flat, either horizontally or vertically, on a wall or in a window, the union (blue field) should be at the top and to the observer's left when facing the flag.

When displayed on a stage or platform, the national flag should be to the speaker's right. Any other flag is on the speaker's left.

When suspended, the flag should be vertical with the union to the north over an east-west street and to the east over a north-south street. The flag should be hoisted out union (blue field) first.

Flag lapel pins should be worn on the left lapel near the heart. Reproductions of the national flag in any medium such as jewelry, pins, buttons, or printed materials must show the union (blue field) on the top and to the observer's left when facing the flag.

Because the flags at these three locations cannot be illuminated at night, as protocol requires, the flags are lowered every evening, said Fred Lapiana, public works director.

The Vineyard Haven Post Office flies a flag that appeared to be in good condition, but a closer inspection revealed jagged edges. That flag remained up throughout the night without illumination, as did the Police Office's flag, as required by proper flag etiquette.

The flag flown at the Dukes County Jail and House of Correction on Upper Main Street in Edgartown was also left flying at night un-illuminated.

On April 28 in Oak Bluffs, no flag flew at Oak Bluffs Town Hall, or the police station adjacent to the old town hall.

Town officials said plans are in the works to repair the flagpole at the old town hall, and Richard Combra Jr., park commissioner and highway superintendent, said hardware has been ordered for a new flagpole that would be shared by the Oak Bluffs Town Hall and the town library.

The flags were not flown most of the winter at the old town hall and Ocean Park in Oak Bluffs, because they "take a real beating," Mr. Combra said.

Mr. Combra said the flag in Ocean Park would definitely be flown at half-mast until noon on Memorial Day.

In Edgartown, "the flag goes up every day, unless it rains, and comes down again at dusk," said Karen Ambielli, administrative assistant in the Edgartown Selectmen's office. Ms. Ambielli has a bird's eye view of the flag from her third floor office.

Of all the flags inspected, the most impeccable was the flag flown at the U.S. Coast Guard Station in Menemsha, which is handled daily with the respect accorded flags on any military base. This flag goes up "smartly" every morning at 0800 and comes down at sunset every evening, according to Executive Petty Officer Douglas Zook. Stuart Fletcher, Boxswain Mate 2nd Class, said he could not say how each officer feels during flag raising, but for him the task is a matter of great pride, something the Coastguardsmen do with style that makes them feel good and is a strong reflection of the Menemsha Station and the nation.