Show patriotism by flying Old Glory right

A.C. Ralston, commander of Post 82 of the American Legion in San Mateo, said people should know they can fly the flag all year. It doesn't need to just be on holidays. Ralston encouraged people to "show your patriotism."

But when displaying the flag Ralston offered a few pointers. He said if it's being displayed in a window, the stars should be in the upper left corner. When a flag is being flown on a flag pole there should never be a flag above it. If the flag is being shown on a stage, it should be on the left hand side. Any organization flags should be on the right hand side.

Bradford Saums, district executive of the Boy Scouts of America in Foster City, said people should know the flag should not be flown in the evening or in bad weather.

Ralston, however, said flags can be flown at night but only if lit. It should be illuminated at all times. Ralston said it should also be allowed to fly freely, it shouldn't be hindered by trees or bushes.

When the flag is being stored it should not be set on the ground. It is disrespectful to set the flag on the ground.

"If the American flag is dropped it should be retired immediately," Saums said.

Saums and Ralston agreed that most people don't know when to retire their flag.

Saums said it is time to retire the flag, "when it stars getting frayed or worn out."

When it is time to replace the flag it can be donated to local organizations, like the American Legion and the Boy Scouts so they can be correctly retired.

"Outside of the military, the Boy Scouts are the only organization allowed to hold the formal flag funerals," Saums said.

Each summer the Boy Scouts hold a flag retirement ceremony at their summer camp. First the flag is given its final pledge of allegiance and then it is dismantled. The stars are cut off, the blue is separated from the red and white and the flag is cremated. The remains are then buried.

Standards of respect for the flag

The Flag Code, which formalizes traditional ways in which we give respect to the flag, also contains 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 rope.

· 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.

Information from USFlag.org.