Saturday, cadets with Pearl River Central High School’s NJROTC unit presented “Old Glory, Flag Facts and Etiquette” at the Picayune Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution meeting.
During the program the Color Guard presented the colors and led attendees in the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance before covering proper etiquette concerning the American flag. When the music starts playing and the flag makes it way past audience members, it is appropriate to salute with right hand over the heart, Senior Naval Science Instructor Col. Todd Ryder said. Those in uniform leave hats on and render the military salute, while those not in uniform should remove their hats. The same conduct should be observed during the National Anthem and Pledge of Allegiance. When the flag is in motion, people should place their hands over their heart when the flag is six paces from them and until the flag is six paces past, Ryder added.
Cadets also read from United States Code, Title 26 Chapter 10, Patriotic Customs.
This code references the time and occasions for the flag’s display, which is from sunrise to sunset on buildings and stationary flagstaffs in the open. The flag may also be displayed 24-hours if it is properly illuminated during the night, the code states.
Ryder fielded questions from the audience, such as on how to properly dispose of a flag.
A flag is ready for disposal when it is torn or soiled beyond repair or when it falls into the hand of the enemy, Ryder said.
Flags can be brought to any NJROTC unit, police and fire department or a local VFW for proper disposal. Ryder’s unit participates in a ceremonial destruction of the flags on June 14, Flag Day. The holiday was created for the dignified disposal of flags, he said. According to the code, burning is the preferred method for dignified disposal.
Cadets also demonstrated the proper method of flag folding and the Old Glory Commemoration, which is a ceremonial passing of the folded flag from the most junior to the most senior cadet.
Read the code pertaining to the Flag of the United States of America in its entirety at http://www.usflag.org/us.code36.html.