Celebrate Flag Day!

Some call it 'Stars and Stripes', some 'Old Glory' -  this Thursday, June 14th, celebrates the symbol of our country, our flag.  Flag Day celebrates the adoption of our flag by the Second Continental Congress in 1777.  It's a day to display and celebrate our flag and our country.


The creation of Flag Day was the result of many decades of efforts by several different individuals and, though President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14 as Flag Day in 1916, it wasn't until August 1949 that National Flag Day was established by an act of Congress.


*The flag is normally flown from sunrise to sunset.
*In the morning, raise the flag briskly. At sunset, lower it slowly. Always, raise and lower it ceremoniously.
*The flag should not be flown at night without a light on it.
*The flag should not be flown in the rain or inclement weather.
*After a tragedy or death, the flag is flown at half staff for 30 days. It's  called "half staff" on land ,and "half mast" on a ship.
*When flown vertically on a pole, the stars and blue field , or "union", is at the top and at the end of the pole (away from your house).
*The American flag is always flown at the top of the pole. Your state flag and other flags fly below it.
*The union is always on top. When displayed in print, the stars and blue field are always on the left.
*Never let your flag touch the ground, never...period.
*Fold your flag when storing. 
 *When your flag is old and has seen  better days, it is time to retire it. Old flags should be burned or buried. Please do not throw it in the trash. There is a very special ceremony for retiring the flag by burning it.  Contact a local Boy Scout group to arrange one - it's something special to see.  Click here for more flag etiquette

There is a correct way to fold the American flag.  Click here for directions:
How to fold the American Flag


Your local hardware store is a great place to get a flag and flagpole for displaying at your home or business.  In Berkshire County, Carr Hardware has locations in Pittsfield, North Adams, Great Barrington and Lee.  Caligari Hardware has stores in Lenox and Great Barrington.  Aubuchon Hardware is in North Adams and Great Barrington (Great Barrington sure does have the lion's share of hardware stores!).