The United States flag should be cared for as it represents those who have fought and died for our
country.
There are different times it should be flown at half staff, not just on Memorial Day, but during deaths within the local, state and federal governments.
The state governor can declare a flag to fly at half staff after the death of a present or former official of the government or after the death of any member of the U.S. Armed Forces of that state.
The United States Federal Flag Code states the flag can fly at half-staff on the following occasions:
30 days in the death of the president or the former president.
10 days from the death of the vice-president, the chief of justice, retired chief of justice, speaker of the House of Representatives.
From the day of death until burial of an associate justice of the Supreme Court, a secretary of an executive or military department, a former vice president or the governor of a state, territory or possession.
On the day of death and the following day for a member of Congress.
Half-staff refers to the position of the flag when it is one-half the distance between the bottom and top of the staff.
It flies half-staff until noon on Memorial Day, according to the flag code, then is to be raised to the top of the staff for the remainder of the day.
It states during ceremonies such as a Memorial Day Parade, when the flag is passing by, all persons present in uniform should render the military salute.
"Members of the Armed Forces and veterans present, but not in uniform may render the military salute. All other persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with the right hand over the heart, or if applicable, remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Citizens of other countries should stand at attention," as stated in the flag code.
The flag code was adopted in 1923 and later amended in 1976.
The National Flag Foundation suggests to always treat the flag with respect.
"There are some residents in Tiffin that display tattered flags," Tiffin City Councilman Jim Roberts said.
The non-profit organization says to keep the flag clean and safe and never let it become torn, soiled or damaged and to always dispose of a worn flag properly.
The NFF also says to keep the flag aloft and free and not to carry it flat or horizontal. It suggests never to let the flag touch anything beneath it, whether it be the ground or water.
