AMERICAN FLAG ETIQUETTE
While marching in area parades, Friends noticed many people (young and old) not standing up to acknowledge our nation\'s flag. We wrote letters to local school districts\' superintendents (Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti) to bring our concern to the schools. We offered information on proper flag etiquette to pass along to all students to ensure that our nation\'s flag is properly regarded and respected.
Two important guidelines were highlighted. This information was taken from a flag etiquette website, www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetiq.html.
How to "Pledge Allegiance" to the flag of the United States of America:
The pledge of Allegiance "should be rendered by standing at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. When not in uniform men should remove any non-religious headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should remain silent, facing th eflag, and render the military salute." (Veterans not in uniform may render the military salute.)
How to properly acknowledge our nation\'s flag at parades and reviews, as it passes:
"During the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the flag or when the flag is passing in a parade or in review, all persons present except those in uniform should face the flag and stand at attention with the right hand over the heart. Those present in uniform should render the military salute. When not in uniform, men should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Non-American citizens should stand at attention. The salute to the flag in a moving column should be rendered at the moment the flag passes."
There was no response from either school regarding this concern. However, Friends felt that we had at least made an effort to address the issue of young people not knowing proper flag etiquette.