 THIS TATTERED AMERICAN FLAG SHOULD BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE, but often the case people in general may not know the proper way to dispose of worn out flags. “I’ve had parents come up to me and tell me how their children learned about flag etiquette from a class I taught,” O’Hanlon said, “and how they have learned something new about the proper disposal of the flag from those very same children.”
O’Hanlon is adamant when it comes to educating people about the proper etiquette in disposing of the flag, and she became more involved after she discovered a flag that had been thrown into a trash can next to the street. “This flag was in good condition,” she said, “except it was covered in cereal, cigarette butts and garbage.”She gathered up the flag and saved it until there was a disposal ceremony to make sure it was retired correctly. “I get so upset when I see our nations flag lying in a trash can,” said O’Hanlon, “or flying in tatters … we have men and woman putting their lives on the line everyday for our flag, and it brings tears to my eyes when I see how people show no respect for it. We, as Americans, should be proud of what our flag represents … one nation, the United States ... it’s our tradition we live by.” O’Hanlon said she could drive around town on a daily basis and spot flags that are still flying that need to be retired.But, according to her, there are still a lot of people who have no idea how to dispose of the flag properly.“When our flag is no longer good,” O’Hanlon said, “we should put them to rest in a dignified manner.” O’Hanlon, who is planning a flag retirement ceremony on Flag Day (June 14, 2008), has made it her duty to inform the public as much as she can about flag etiquette.She teaches flag etiquette to anyone that would like to learn about the proper disposal of the flag.“If someone has a flag for disposal,” she said, “and wants to retire it the right way they can give me a call at (903) 872-2191, or they can drop off their flag at Resthaven Memorial Park and Mausoleum office, and I will make sure it is properly disposed of.” Since the last flag disposal ceremony held at the park, O’Hanlon said she has received an overwhelming response from veterans wanting to know how they can help and what can they do.“It’s been great!” said O’Hanlon. “It’s wonderful to know our veterans are proud of what we are doing and want to be a part of it.”After all, they are the one’s we should be thanking. They made a tremendous sacrifice by serving their country to ensure our freedom. So far, the Flag Retirement Ceremony committee O’Hanlon is a part of already has a full agenda for the event, with more things being added.“We have several hundred flags ready for the ceremony,” she said, “and a number of smaller flags along with them.” O’Hanlon said the ceremony will begin around 5:30 p.m. on June 14, and should last about an hour.There will be at least two speakers, along with a presentation made by the Navarro County Sheriff’s Office Color Guard, a fly over by the Coyote Squadron, and local Boy Scout Troops putting out flags on the graves of veterans buried in the park. “We would also like to recognize both the youngest veteran and oldest veteran,” O’Hanlon said, “along with special recognition to Donald Richardson who was killed in action during the Vietnam campaign. There are quite a few Vietnam veterans buried here in the park who were KIA. We are in the process of researching them so we may call out their names, along with veterans from present and previous wars so that they may be remembered for their contributions.”She added that Les Grayson will close out the ceremony with the playing of “Taps.” The event is open to the public, and we hope that everyone will make plans to come out and pay tribute to our flag and honor those who fought for it, O’Hanlon said. The following information for proper flag etiquette was taken from USFlag.org: 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 speakers 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. |
