Local veterans lend a helping hand with Feb. 28 flag raising at The Flume

Such was the case recently at The Flume office in Bailey, and local veterans happily answered the call.

Veterans from both the American Legion Post 2527 and VFW Post 8661 turned out to assist, and a new American flag was ceremoniously raised at The Flume office Feb. 28.  

Vietnam Navy veteran Paul Engelbrecht, Navy veteran B.J. Esthay, Army veteran and Jr. Vice Commander of American Legion Post 2527 Bill Taylor, Navy veteran and American Legion Post 2527 Commander Dan McCafferty, Army veteran Tom Dickerson and volunteer Chris Oliver participated in the ceremony.

Moore Lumber manager and staff in Bailey repaired the flagpole and rope.

“The American flag stands for our nation and the shared history, pride, principles and commitment of its people. When we properly display this powerful symbol, we signal our respect for everything it represents,” from U.S. Flag Code: Etiquette, Rules and Guidelines.

The flag’s 13 alternating red and white stripes represent the 13 original colonies. The 50 stars on a blue field represent the 50 states. Red represents valor and bravery. White represents purity and innocence. Vigilance, perseverance and justice are represented by blue.

Congress passed a joint resolution June 22, 1942, and amended Dec. 22, 1942, that encompassed guidelines on what has become known as the United States Flag Code and includes the following guidelines:

-The American Flag may be displayed on any day of the year. The flag is often flown for special observances including New Year’s Day (Jan.1), Inauguration Day (Jan. 20), Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday (third Monday in Jan.), Lincoln’s Birthday (Feb. 12), Washington’s Birthday or President’s Day (third Monday in Feb.), National Vietnam War Veterans Day (March 29), Armed Forces Day (third Saturday in May), Memorial Day (the last Monday in May with the flag at half-staff until noon), Flag Day (June 14), Independence Day (July 4), National Korean War Veteran’s Armistice Day (July 27), Labor Day (first Monday in Sept.), Constitution Day (Sept. 17), Navy Day (Oct. 27), Veteran’s Day (Nov. 11) and holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter.

-The American flag should be displayed at every public institution and in or near every polling place on election days and at schools during school days.

-The flag should not be displayed on days of inclement weather. The flag should be        illuminated if displayed at night. If there is no night illumination, the flag should be flown from sunrise to sunset.

-No other flag should be placed above the American flag. If a flag is placed on the same level, it should be on a separate staff to the right of the American flag. The American flag should be hoisted first and lowered last.

-The American flag should be at the center and highest point when displayed with a group of state flags.

-The flag should never be lowered or dipped to any person or thing including government officials, even the President of the United States.

-The flag should never be displayed with the stars down, unless as a signal of extreme distress.

-The flag should never touch anything beneath it including the ground, the floor or water.

-The flag should never be displayed flat or horizontally. It must always be aloft and free.

-The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used or stored in any manner that might tear, soil or damage the flag in any way.

-The flag should never be used as covering for a ceiling.

-The flag should never have anything placed on it.

-The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered on anything, printed on paper napkins or boxes or used as a portion of a costume.

-If the flag is displayed on a float, it must be flying aloft and free from a staff firmly affixed to the vehicle, clamped to the right front fender. The flag should never be draped over the hood, top, sides or back of a vehicle.

-Keep the flag completely dry and folded properly, in the shape of a triangle, with the union or blue section visible. Store in a well-ventilated area.  

Whenever the American flag is no longer in a condition to be a proper emblem of our national identity as a sovereign nation, it should be disposed of properly. In Park County, American Legion Post 2527 will conduct a proper ceremony on Flag Day.

The old  American flag previously flown at The Flume will part of the disposal ceremony this year.