Are you flying the American flag as part of your Independence Day celebration? If you haven't checked your flag to make sure it's in good repair, now's the perfect time to take it out of storage and give it a good look. Flags that are damaged should be repaired under the United States Flag Code, a comprehensive piece of the full U.S. Code that describes proper interaction with this great symbol of our nation.

And if your flag cannot be repaired, or it is stained or damaged and you don't have the resources to get it fixed, you should never just throw the flag in the trash. There's a proper method for "retiring" the American flag. According to the U.S. Flag Code, it needs to be disposed of in a dignified way, "preferably by burning." Thats right. . . burning.

Retiring the U.S. Flag By Burning 

If you are retiring a flag by burning, the Flag Code doesn't give you many details on exactly how to do this. You'll have to turn to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), an organization that advocates for U.S. Veterans and issues that matter to veterans like proper treatment of the flag, for further instruction.

The VFW has a suggested procedure for retiring a U.S. flag:

1. Fold the flag properly. There is a procedure for folding the flag into a triangle for storing it so that it will never touch the floor or ground. This should be done with two people to ensure the flag is not dropped or damaged.
2. Place the flag on a dedicated fire. While technically, any fire can be used, there's something about using a campfire or fire for burning refuse that doesn't meet the requirements for respectful disposal.
3. Everyone in attendance should salute or place their hands over their hearts and at least one person present should say the Pledge of Allegiance.
4. Remain silent for a brief time while the flag is completely burned.
5. Extinguish the fire carefully according to local fire codes.

If you aren't up for the task yourself, or you're not sure you can give the flag the required respect, the VFW as well as other veterans groups and the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts can also take flags for proper disposal in a retirement ceremony. 

Another reason to rely on the experts: Many of today's flags are made out of synthetic fibers that don't burn like cotton. It may be beneficial to let the experts burn your flag so you aren't exposed to any harmful fumes that may be let off while burning.

Other Methods of Retiring the U.S. Flag    

There are other ways to properly -- and respectfully -- retire a flag besides burning. The flag can be:

• Buried. Use a respectful wooden box that tightly seals around the flag. Fold the flag properly and bury it underground. You may even decide to use a patriotic marker over the burial location.
• Shredded. It may not sound as proper, but a flag can be respectfully shredded using sharp scissors. However, once you've shredded the flag, the pieces should be burned or buried.
• Recycled. Specific organizations, like American Flag Recycling can take your nylon flag for proper disposal so that it doesn't release hazardous gases when it burns.

Of course, once you've properly and respectfully retired your American flag, you'll want to replace it with a new and intact symbol of our nation. We can help you find the best flag for your needs. And, we're there to help with any other types of custom, historical, national or state flags you may need.

. Give us a call to learn more about how we can help!

On June 14, 1777 the Continental Congress passed a resolution that would forever solidify the basic design of an iconic symbol - the American flag. Nearly 250 years later, the American flag is a symbol of freedom and hope around the world. In the United States it is flown on civic buildings, in front of homes, at ballfields, and carried in parades and in events by proud military personnel and civilians alike. 

The Flag Act that passed on June 14, 1777 reads as follows: 

"Resolved, That the flag of the United States be made of thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new Constellation."

In the 19th Century, public school teachers took the initiative to encourage the recognition of the flag's official creation on June 14th. Today, their efforts have been codified as "Flag Day." BJ Cigrand, a teacher in Wisconsin, was the first person to be publicly enthusiastic about making June 14th a day for honoring and recognizing the American flag. In 1885 he had his students celebrate the day, and in the ensuing years he continued to spread the idea of a Flag Day holiday by writing about the holiday in newspapers and magazines. One of his writings was published in the Chicago Argus, giving him a wide audience. He was eventually made Editor-in-Chief of the "American Standard," which provided him a platform to strongly advocate for Flag Day.

Four years after Cigrand's efforts began, George Balch, a teacher in New York took up the cause and began observing Flag Day with his class. Balch's work was noticed by the State Board of Education who began to recognize the holiday. Two years later, the Betsy Ross House celebrated Flag Day, and a year later so did the Sons of the American Revolution of New York. Then, in 1894, New York state obligated all public buildings to display the flag on June 14th. That same year, 30,000 Chicago public school students celebrated Flag Day. Cigrand's work had paid off and Flag Day was gaining much attention. 

It wasn't just children who were celebrating the day, either. Government officials had taken notice of the holiday and were doing their part to mark June 14th as Flag Day. One of the more notable instances of such Flag Day observances is that of Secretary of the Interior Franklin Lane in 1914. During his remarks about the American Flag, Lane took a poetic approach, describing that the flag spoke to him, saying, ""I am what you make me; nothing more. I swing before your eyes as a bright gleam of color, a symbol of yourself."

While Flag Day continued to be celebrated by public school children and public officials across the United States, it was not until May of 1916 that Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation commemorating June 14th as the day on which the American flag's design had been solidified. Even with that proclamation, the holiday wasn't made official until 1949 when President Truman signed a law creating National Flag Day in 1949.

If your American flag is starting to get a little ragged, Flag Day is the perfect time to replace your flag. Contact us today to find the right flag for your home, business, or organization.