Flag code
Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2012 11:19 pm
Since the posts in the Olympics thread took a turn towards flag etiquette, I thought perhaps "FLAG ETIQUETTE" deserved to be a topic of its own.
To me, putting my hand over my heart to recite the pledge to the flag makes sense since it is an oath of loyalty. I don't understand putting my hand over my heart for "The Star Spangled Banner" since, while being our national anthem (and one I don't believe adequately addresses the United States of America, but that's another discussion) it's a song with no oath or pledge of loyalty. I didn't know what the Flag Code says about addressing the flag during the singing of the National Anthem, so I looked it up for our collective edification
http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagcode.htm
United States Code Title 36
§301. National anthem
a. Designation. — The composition consisting of the words and music known as the Star-Spangled Banner is the national anthem.
b. Conduct During Playing — During rendition of the national anthem —
1. when the flag is displayed —
A. individuals in uniform should give the military salute at the first note of the anthem and maintain that position until the last note;
B. members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute in the manner provided for individuals in uniform; and
C. all other persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, and men not in uniform, if applicable, should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart; and
2. when the flag is not displayed, all present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed.
And so, although out of ignorance BBBB has never held his hand over his heart during the playing or singing of our National Anthem, he will from now on, having been enlightened. I suppose someone ought to mention it to the coaches & AD so that members of our teams - sorry, members of our TEAM (18 sports, 1 team, remember?) also stand at attention with their hands over their hearts.
NOW, if only there was something in the flag code about singers who inadvertently desecrate the National Anthem with their stylistic "performance" of it. ... (Yeah, some of you knew I was going to bring THAT up.)
To me, putting my hand over my heart to recite the pledge to the flag makes sense since it is an oath of loyalty. I don't understand putting my hand over my heart for "The Star Spangled Banner" since, while being our national anthem (and one I don't believe adequately addresses the United States of America, but that's another discussion) it's a song with no oath or pledge of loyalty. I didn't know what the Flag Code says about addressing the flag during the singing of the National Anthem, so I looked it up for our collective edification
http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagcode.htm
United States Code Title 36
§301. National anthem
a. Designation. — The composition consisting of the words and music known as the Star-Spangled Banner is the national anthem.
b. Conduct During Playing — During rendition of the national anthem —
1. when the flag is displayed —
A. individuals in uniform should give the military salute at the first note of the anthem and maintain that position until the last note;
B. members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute in the manner provided for individuals in uniform; and
C. all other persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, and men not in uniform, if applicable, should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart; and
2. when the flag is not displayed, all present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed.
And so, although out of ignorance BBBB has never held his hand over his heart during the playing or singing of our National Anthem, he will from now on, having been enlightened. I suppose someone ought to mention it to the coaches & AD so that members of our teams - sorry, members of our TEAM (18 sports, 1 team, remember?) also stand at attention with their hands over their hearts.
NOW, if only there was something in the flag code about singers who inadvertently desecrate the National Anthem with their stylistic "performance" of it. ... (Yeah, some of you knew I was going to bring THAT up.)