Tips for the Care and Keeping of the American Flag

Did you know that your flag should not be flown after dark unless it is properly lit? Did you know that displaying the flag with the Union, or field of blue, facing down is considered a distress signal and should only occur in case of imminent and grave danger? There are some other tips you might be interested in learning, regarding the care and keeping of Old Glory.

If it rains, or other bad weather occurs, the flag should be taken down. It should always be kept clean and dry. A flag that is made from weather resistant material may be flown in bad weather, but some people see doing so as a sign of disrespect, despite the fact that the flag will not be damaged.

No other flag should be displayed above or at the same height of the U.S. flag.

Out of respect, the flag should never be allowed to touch the ground, or even to skim the ground, a floor, water, or anything else that rests beneath it.

When a flag has seen better days, it should be respectfully disposed of. The preferred method has in the past been to burn the flag. With radicals today burning the flag in protest, it is especially important to show respect when a flag is being dispatched.

The flag may be displayed on any day of the year, but it is especially befitting for special occasions including Independence Day.

When displaying your flag, if it is hung flat rather than from a flagstaff, the Union should be viewed on the observer's left (whether the flag is horizontal or vertical). Blind people may want to mark their flags with a safety pin or something to insure correct orientation.

When storing your flag when it is not in use, take care to keep it from becoming dusty or otherwise soiled or damaged. A torn or soiled or otherwise damaged American flag should not be displayed.

Patriotic Melodies

This site, from the Library of Congress's Performing Arts Encyclopedia, offers an exhibition revealing the background of many of the most famous tunes in our nation's history. Gentle Subscribers will discover an informative collection of material on these evocative songs.

"Patriotic Melodies tells the stories behind many of the songs that have now become part of the American national heritage. A combination of hymns, national songs, music of the theater, radio and television, military themes, and poetry, all of this music demonstrates that while over history many things have changed, this expression of pride and hope remain a constant part of the American experience."

The exhibit provides information on more than two dozen best-loved songs, from the stirring notes of Aaron Copeland's Fanfare of the Common Man to the heart-tugging strains of America the Beautiful and Irving Berlin's God Bless America. Some of the selections, particularly those performed by armed forces bands, are available for download in MP3 and RealAudio formats. Not only the strictly patriotic songs of the title appear in the exhibit, but some which are intertwined in the cultural fabric of the nation, like I'll Be Home for Christmas and Yankee Doodle. Each selection is treated individually, with historical background, images of the composer if available, sheet music and links to more in-depth material.

Click this link to visit the exhibit to look and listen to some of America's most iconic songs at: http://lcweb2.loc.gov/diglib/ihas/html/patriotic/patriotic-home.html.

AllNationalAnthems

Here's a site that is sure to be a hit in the classroom. AllNationalAnthems is a Yahoo Maps and YouTube mashup website where you can find and hear anthems for any country in the world. Simply search by country name or locate the country on the map. Each country has a dedicated page with a YouTube video and information on the anthem.

Click this link to visit http://www.allnationalanthems.com.