June 14 is Flag Day.

It’s not a day off for anybody, so it probably would have goneunnoticed except for the flags displayed throughout Brookhaven bythe Exchange Club.

For the record, Flag Day recognizes the June day in 1777 whenthe Continental Congress adopted the “Stars and Stripes” as theofficial flag of the United States. The original banner of the flagof 13 stripes, alternate red and white, with a union of 13 whitestars in a blue field has evolved over the years along with thenation.

A record number of flags were sold in the days and weeks afterthe Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on our country. As the patriotic feverwaned, some banners were left to the elements and have become dirtyand tattered.

A little research quickly and easily turned up the Federal FlagCode, which prescribes the proper display of and respect for theUnited States Flag. I want to share some of it with you:

1. It is the universal custom to display the flag only fromsunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in theopen. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may bedisplayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during the hoursof darkness.

2. The flag should not be displayed on days when the weather isinclement, except when an all weather flag is displayed.

3. The flag should be displayed daily on or near the mainadministration building of every public institution. The flagshould be displayed in or near every polling place on electiondays. The flag should be displayed during school days in or nearevery schoolhouse.

4. The flag should not be displayed on a float in a paradeexcept from a staff. The flag should not be draped over the hood,top, sides, or back of a vehicle or of a railroad train or a boat.When the flag is displayed on a motor car, the staff should befixed firmly to the chassis or clamped to the right fender.

5. The flag of the United States of America should be at thecenter and at the highest point of the group when a number of flagsof states or localities or pennants of societies are grouped anddisplayed from staffs.

6. When the flag is displayed from a staff projectinghorizontally or at an angle from the window sill, balcony, or frontof a building, the union of the flag should be placed at the peakof the staff unless the flag is at half staff. When the flag issuspended over a sidewalk from a rope extending from a house to apole at the edge of the sidewalk, the flag should be hoisted out,union first, from the building.

7. When displayed either horizontally or vertically against awall, the union should be uppermost and to the flag’s own right,that is, to the observer’s left. When displayed in a window, theflag should be displayed in the same way.

8. When used on a speaker’s platform, the flag, if displayedflat, should be displayed above and behind the speaker.

9. The flag, when flown at half-staff, should be first hoistedto the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staffposition. The flag should be again raised to the peak before it islowered for the day. On Memorial Day, the flag should be displayedat half-staff until noon only, then raised to the top of thestaff.

10. When the flag is used to cover a casket, it should be soplaced that the union is at the head and over the left shoulder.The flag should not be lowered into the grave or allowed to touchthe ground.

11. The flag should never be displayed with the union down,except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme dangerto life or property.

12. The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as theground, the floor or water.

13. The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, butalways aloft and free.

14. The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding,or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, infolds, but always allowed to fall free.

15. The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, orstored in such a manner as to permit it to be easily torn, soiled,or damaged in any way.

16. The flag should never be used as a covering for aceiling.

17. The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving,holding, carrying or delivering anything.

18. No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume orathletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to theuniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members ofpatriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country andis itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pinbeing a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near theheart.

19. The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longera fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignifiedway, preferably by burning.

Those are just a few of the rules, but hopefully they’ll helpour flag get the respect it deserves.

Write to Nanette Laster at P.O. Box 551, Brookhaven, Miss.39602, or send e-mail to news@dailyleader.com.