Hail to The Colors

Hail to The Colors

Respect to Old Glory

As U.S. citizens, we have the right to...

• Vote

• Be Informed

• Be involved in the Political System

• Have Government Adhere to the Bill of Rights

• Be Respectful to the flag

History of the American Flag

• Called “Stars and Stripes” and “Old Glory”

• Adopted on June 14, 1777 during the Revolutionary War

• June 14th is now celebrated as Flag Day

• Betsy Ross and Grand Union flags

• Gadsden and other flags

Standards of the Flag

• Union of 20 white stars on a blue field with one star for each state

• The 13 alternating stripes would remain unchanged

• Symbolic colors

  White – purity and innocence

  Red – hardiness and valor

  Blue – vigilance, perseverance, and justice

• Different designs through the years

• US Flag Law from Congress sets design

Flag Today

• 13 horizontal stripes – seven red and six white

• Union of white stars of five points on a blue field

• Number of stars equals the number of states in the Union

POW/MIA Flag

• Memorializes those captured or missing

• Only flag authorized to fly on the same pole as the US Flag

• Black with a Prisoner of war picture

• Words: You are not forgotten

Posting the Flag

• Raised briskly, lowered slowly

• If lit, can fly 24 hrs

• Flown half-staff in memoriam

• Raise brisk to top, lowered slowly to half

• When lowered, raise to top and lower

Flag Folding

• Done when flag is taken down

• when completely folded, stars are uppermost

• Fold as a tricorn hat from the Revolutionary War

• 13 folds are done in all

• May be kept in a case for display or storage

Flag Respect

• Retire the flag when it is no longer a fitting emblem of display

• Should be destroyed in a dignified way

• Stand and salute during national anthem or Pledge of Allegiance

• Salute during hoisting, lowering, or passing of the American Flag

• Raise or post while playing the Star Spangled Banner by Francis Scott Key

Test Your Knowledge

Make a list of everything you know about the design of the American flag. Then write a summary of what the American flag and other patriotic symbols mean to you.

Or discuss in a group setting.