Flag etiquette important

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July 4, 2008

By DAN HEATH The Press Republican Fri Jul 04, 2008, 12:00 AM EDT

PLATTSBURGH -- Walter and Mary Somody are among those who passionately believe everyone should show proper respect to the flag of the United States of America.

"We are both firm believers in our flag and what it stands for," Mr. Somody said.

"It has to do with patriotism," Mrs. Somody added.

They put their beliefs into practice with flags, other red, white and blue decorations, numerous eagles and even replicas of the Statue of Liberty on display at their home.

"My belief is that we have a lot of men and women that have fought for that flag, a lot of men and women that have died for that flag," Mr. Somody said. "As far as I'm concerned, that's what the flag is about -- freedom."

People seem to have lost the knowledge of how to respect the flag, Mrs. Somody said, and not enough is being done to teach the young proper flag etiquette.

Mr. and Mrs. Somody are members of American Legion Post 20 and its auxiliary, respectively, which offers a program to provide lessons for local schools on the flag and flag etiquette.

A Web site dedicated to the American flag, www.usflag.org, gives details on proper care and etiquette.

When the flag passes as part of a procession, such as a parade, everyone should face it and salute, according to proper etiquette. Those in uniform make a formal military-type salute, while others place any headgear in their right hand, which is then placed over the heart.

The same applies during the Pledge of Allegiance and the national anthem.

Mr. Somody said many people don't realize when and how to raise and lower the flag. It should be briskly raised at dawn and slowly lowered at dusk.

A flag can be flown 24 hours a day, as long as it is properly illuminated, he said. It should also be saluted as it is raised and lowered.

When the flag is flown with those of other nations, each is to be flown on a separate pole of identical height. All flags should be raised and lowered at the same time.

The American flag should always be on its right when flown with the flags of states, communities or societies, and no flag should be flown higher. It should always be the first to be raised and last to be lowered.

Mr. Somody said he gets agitated when people wear a flag on their clothes. According to the American-flag Web site, it should be worn only as a patch on the uniform of military personnel, police officers, firefighters and members of other patriotic organizations, such as the American Legion or Veterans of Foreign Wars.

The flag should not touch the ground under any circumstances, Mrs. Somody said.

When a flag is no longer in condition to be displayed in a dignified manner, it should be disposed of in proper fashion, which is often a distinguished burning in a solemn ceremony. Post 20 held a flag-retirement ceremony recently and has a box where people can deposit tattered and worn flags for proper disposal.

Mr. Somody was drafted into the U.S. Air Force in 1964. He served in Vietnam and later was stationed at Plattsburgh Air Force Base, from which he retired from the Air Force in 1984.

There should be more flags flying every day, Mr. Somody said.

"As a veteran, that's what I look for. When I see a flag flying, it's like saying thank you' to me," he said.

"We need to let the soldiers know they're wanted."

dheath@pressrepublican.com