A bunch of old flags is brought in to be retired
Scouts prepare flags to be retired.
A sentry stands guard inside Fort Ontario
The current American Flag flies over the fort early on Saturday.
An original 45-star U.S. Flag is saluted as it is raised over the fort during the flag retirement program.
Scouts demonstrate the proper way to fold a flag
Oswego resident Sam Tripp presents a flag to be retired.
A flag is cut into pieces before being retired.
Celeste Mulcahey displays one of the tattered flags that was to be retired Saturday.
A section of stripes is retired.
The field of stars is the last section to be retired.
The scouts offer flag facts during the ceremony
Everyone places their hand over their heart as the National Anthem is played.
OSWEGO – Most people believe the right way to retire an American Flag is to burn it – whole. However, that is not entirely correct.
On Saturday, historic Fort Ontario hosted several representatives of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Oswego Lodge #271 as well as a large contingent of Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.
Members of Girl Scout troops 10566 and 10567 were present along with Boy Scout troops 885 and 888.
They conducted a U.S. flag retirement program outside the entrance of old fort Ontario. Members of the public were invited to turn in their worn out flags for proper retirement.
Prior to the ceremony, the scouts explained the proper means of retiring a flag as well as many facts about the flag.
Lecturing Knight Carol Simpson, Lecturing Knight Nelson Metz and other members of the Elks assisted the scouts in the flag retirement ceremony.
An original 45-star U.S. flag was flown over the fort during the flag retirement program. It was on loan from the Continental Arms Collectors Association of Oswego.
“It’s a ‘post flag.’ It measures 10- by 20-feet and designated for service at army posts from 1896 to 1908,” explained George Clark of the Continental Arms Collectors Association of Oswego. “There were some flags that were huge. At this point in time, post flags were used for special occasions such as Memorial Day and like that. And there was also a ‘storm flag’ that they used, it was smaller.”
“You see a lot of flags flying downtown and elsewhere. Some aren’t in the best shape and we want to educate the public about the proper use and care of flags and how to properly retire them,” Metz said.
“One of our prime projects is Americanism. Throughtout the year we’ll do several activities that involve the youth of the city and the county, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Brownies,” Simpson said. “That lets them some of the history that I don’t believe we see today as often as we used to.”
The proper way to retire a flag is to cut it into four pieces, Metz explained.
Three sections of the stripes are cut apart. The field of white stars on the blue background is removed intact.
“That represents the Union,” Metz said. “Nothing should ever cut that apart.”
And then, the four pieces are placed inthe fire, one at a time. The stars are the last part to be retired.
“This was you are burning just pieces, not a flag,” Metz pointed out.
The last U.S. flag to fly over the post when it was decommissioned on April 3, 1946, was on display in the Enlisted Men’s Barracks.
Flag Etiquette
STANDARDS OF RESPECT
The Flag Code, which formalizes and unifies the traditional ways in which we give respect to the flag, also contains specific instructions on how the flag is not to be used.
They are: The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing.
It is flown upside down only as a distress signal.
The flag should not be used as a drapery, or for covering a speaker’s desk, draping a platform, or for any decoration in general.
Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes.
The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top.
The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose.
It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use.
Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard.
The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, fireman, policeman and members of patriotic organizations.
The flag should never have placed on it, or attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind.
The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms.
To store the flag it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.
The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary.
When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.
Note: Most American Legion Posts regularly conduct a dignified flag burning ceremony, often on Flag Day, June 14.
Displaying the Flag Outdoors
When the flag is displayed from a staff projecting from a window, balcony, or a building, the union should be at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half-staff.
When it is displayed from the same flagpole with another flag – of a state, community, society or Scout unit – the flag of the United States must always be at the top except that the church pennant may be flown above the flag during church services for Navy personnel when conducted by a Naval chaplain on a ship at sea.
When the flag is displayed over a street, it should be hung vertically, with the union to the north or east. If the flag is suspended over a sidewalk, the flag’s union should be farthest from the building.
When flown with flags of states, communities, or societies on separate flag poles which are of the same height and in a straight line, the flag of the United States is always placed in the position of honor – to its own right. ..The other flags may be smaller but none may be larger. ..No other flag ever should be placed above it.
The flag of the United States is always the first flag raised and the last to be lowered.
When flown with the national banner of other countries, each flag must be displayed from a separate pole of the same height. Each flag should be the same size. They should be raised and lowered simultaneously.
The flag of one nation may not be displayed above that of another nation.
Raising and Lowering the Flag
The flag should be raised briskly and lowered slowly and ceremoniously.
Ordinarily it should be displayed only between sunrise and sunset.
It should be illuminated if displayed at night.
The flag of the United States of America is saluted as it is hoisted and lowered.
The salute is held until the flag is unsnapped from the halyard or through the last note of music, whichever is the longest.
Displaying the Flag Indoors
When on display, the flag is accorded the place of honor, always positioned to its own right. Place it to the right of the speaker or staging area or sanctuary.
Other flags should be to the left.
The flag of the United States of America should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags of states, localities, or societies are grouped for display.
When one flag is used with the flag of the United States of America and the staffs are crossed, the flag of the United States is placed on its own right with its staff in front of the other flag.
When displaying the flag against a wall, vertically or horizontally, the flag’s union (stars) should be at the top, to the flag’s own right, and to the observer’s left.
Parading and Saluting the Flag
When carried in a procession, the flag should be to the right of the marchers.
When other flags are carried, the flag of the United States may be centered in front of the others or carried to their right.
When the flag passes in a procession, or when it is hoisted or lowered, all should face the flag and salute.
The Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem
The Pledge of Allegiance should be rendered by standing at attention, facing the flag, and saluting.
When the national anthem is played or sung, citizens should stand at attention and salute at the first note and hold the salute through the last note.
The salute is directed to the flag, if displayed, otherwise to the music.
The Flag in Mourning
To place the flag at half staff, hoist it to the peak for an instant and lower it to a position half way between the top and bottom of the staff.
The flag is to be raised again to the peak for a moment before it is lowered.
On Memorial Day the flag is displayed at half staff until noon and at full staff from noon to sunset.
The flag is to be flown at half staff in mourning for designated, principal government leaders and upon presidential or gubernatorial order.
When used to cover a casket, the flag should be placed with the union at the head and over the left shoulder.
It should not be lowered into the grave.
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Thank you for putting the flag etiquette in print. There’s a business in Fulton that has the flag displayed horizontally, under their plexiglass counter. Hopefully, they see this, as does anyone who wears the flag as clothing.