Daughters of the American Revolution share information about the U.S. Flag Code

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By Carolyn Paschal

Daughters of the American Revolution

The U.S. flag is emblematic of the Daughters of the American Revolution’s three missions of Historic Preservation, Education and Patriotism. Sharing information about our national flag’s history, use and care is one of the many goals of the Sarah Platt Decker Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

On June 22, 1942, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed the federal Flag Code, which led to congressional enactment on Dec. 22, 1942. Periodically, the Flag Code has been updated and amended. The United States Flag Code establishes advisory rules for display and care of the national flag of the United States of America.

Excerpts from the flag code are as follows:

• It is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset, unless it is illuminated.

• The flag should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement, except when an all-weather flag is displayed.

• The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, floor, water or merchandise.

• The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.

If you would like a copy of the Flag Code, please email carolynpaschal@gmail.com and we can email you a PDF of the Flag Code.

If you find that your flag needs replacing, you can drop it off at Vega Insurance, 818 Rosita St., or Terry’s Ace Hardware in Pagosa Springs and VFW Post 4031,1550 Main Ave. in Durango. Worn flags will be delivered to the American Legion for proper disposal.

Look for future articles on proper methods of displaying the flag, raising and lowering the flag and the Pledge of Allegiance. 

For information about the Daughters of the American Revolution or its missions, please contact Chapter Regent Tanice Ramsperger at spdregent@gmail.com.