DO SOMETHING AND WAVE YOUR FLAG

Some may call it civic duty. Some may call it a Boy Scout project. Some may even call it a patriotic demonstration of respect for our national flag. Across the nation flags are going up on the lawns of private homes and businesses. It's an extension of national pride exercised during Memorial Day, Flag Day, 4^th of July, Labor Day, Veterans Day and several others. A show of pride, yes, but can the display of flags be magnified and promoted? Many people cannot afford the expense of the installation of flags on their property. Perhaps even the flag itself is an over extension on the household budget. Yet most Americans share a common bond of pride and loyalty in the traditional values of the United States of America. This article will outline a wonderful flag project of community service and will offer some proper flag handling instructions.

A growing project and in some cases business extending across the nation is the installation, raising and removal of the flag during holidays. This service can aid those who are living on a strict budget. Others such as the elderly may find themselves physically incapable of the rigors of installation. In Utah communities this service is common especially among young men of the Boy Scouts of America. Patriotic projects like these don't just happen in the great Rocky Mountains but also in the land of Iowa. In southwest Iowa in the town of Shenandoah Troop #227 went out on a cool May morning to hoist the colors on the lawns of many in the greater area.

A simple project really. No activity is too great in the cause of patriotism. There is great history in the flag and a whole laundry list of proper handling and display of the national flag of the United States. As a service from Troop #227 to the subscribed residents of the greater area they install, hoist and remove the national flag. Few things foster a patriotic heart of the young and old better than exercising the colors of the flag under which we sustain the nation as one.

The project is as follows:

1. Obtain a 10' galvanized steel pole that is 1” wide. Have two holes drilled clear through 3' apart with the first hole a couple inches from the top. You'll also need an 18” galvanized 1.25” steel pole that is crimped on the end, flag, plastic zip ties, steel wool, alcohol, gas drill with an 1.5” auger bit (optional).

2. Prep the 10' pole by using steel wool and alcohol to clean off all sticky labels and manufacturer identifying markings such as video jets.

3. With the union (stars on blue) at the top attach the flag to the pole. Thread the pole holes with the plastic zip ties. Thread the same tie through the provided respective flag holes. Zip the tie down snug and clip the excess plastic tail. Also cut off the flag tag.

4. Placing the crimped end on the ground orient the shaft pole at the desired place in your yard. Typically at corners it would be 2' from concrete on both sides. For ease you can drill down 18” with the drill and 1.5” auger bit. The drill and bit may not be available to you. In such a case you can easily pound the shaft into the ground with a sledgehammer and a buffering board. Do so until the shaft is flush with the ground level. Ideally you want an 18” shaft but it may be more economical and better use of material to cut shafts at 15”. This is especially good information for multiple flag projects. IMPORTANT: Through the entire insertion into the ground make sure the shaft is vertical and going straight down.

5. Place the 1” flag pole into the 1.25” shaft affixed in the ground. Relax the flag, stand back and enjoy.

Whether you are a Boy Scout troop, other organization or business you may want to consider applying a small painted emblem on the concrete by the flag. This identifies to passerbys who's project this was. The emblem can be anything and need only be applied when the flag is to be raised. It's extremely important to seek city ordinance on flag placement on property as well as painted emblems on concrete.

As stated above there are minimal sustained materials involved. To fund the material a yearly fee or subscription should be promoted. A good round figure is $35. That's really not a bad cost for the physical labor involved throughout the year. It's an especially lucrative fundraiser among veterans and VFW lodges and halls.

This ongoing project is an excellent source of instilling civic duty and a patriotic attitude among Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H and a wide variety of other organizations. Getting the rising generation involved in activities of selfless service is very important in these troubled times. If we can't sustain personal loyalty in the nation in which we live then who are we really and what have we become.

There are a few interesting respects concerning the handling of the United States flag:

• Only when the country is in distress should the flag be flown upside down.

• The union of the flag should rest over the left shoulder at the head of a casket and then removed before casket lowering.

• The flag should never touch the ground or any other object.

• When flown at half-staff the flag should first be raised to the top and then lowered to half. Likewise, it should be raised to the top and then completely lowered at the end of the day.

• When grouped with other flags the U.S. Flag should be at the center and at the highest point of the group.

• When flown from the same pole as other flags the U.S. Flag should be a the top.

• Flags worn beyond repair should be respectfully burned beyond flag recognition. This can be taken advantage of on Flag Day (June 14).

These are but a few facts of the handling of the flag. Let's ponder these things as we enjoy our liberties. Let's remember the actual blood spilt in defense of those liberties. So long as we are justified in our pursuit long may she wave.