OCALA, FL (352today.com) – As the daughter of a Marine, I was taught not only to sing the Marine Corps Hymn in its entirety as soon as I could speak, but to respect and honor our flag.

Each year, we are encouraged to celebrate and reflect on what our flag means to us on the anniversary of its official adoption, June 14, 1777.  So, how about a little history on Old Glory?

The idea of creating our first United States flag came about after the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.  The following year, the Continental Congress gave the go-ahead for the first national flag, with the design most often credited to one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, Francis Hopkinson.  It was then that it was decided that the flag should have 13 alternating stripes, red and white, representing the 13 original colonies.  The new union is represented by the 13 white stars in a blue field to signify a “new constellation.”

The flag we honor today has 50 stars to represent the 50 states, while the 13 stripes remain representative of the 13 British colonies that became the first states.

Public Law 94-344 (the Federal Flag Code) dictates that our flag is to be treated with respect and proper etiquette.  It’s a long read, but the following guidelines should help those displaying flags do so in accordance with the law.

  • State and local flags are traditionally flown lower than the American flag.
  • During marching ceremonies or parades with other flags, the U.S. flag should be to the observer’s left.
  • The flag should be displayed at every public institution and at schools during school days.
  • When displayed vertically and not on a staff, the union should be on the left when observed. It should be suspended so its folds fall freely as though the flag were staffed.
  • The flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.
  • The flag is often displayed at half-staff on days of mourning, including Memorial Day. The flag should first be hoisted to the peak for an instant, then lowered to half-staff position, which is half the distance between the top and bottom of the staff.
  • On a vehicle, the U.S. flag should be displayed from a staff firmly fixed to the chassis. It should not be draped over the hood, top, sides, or back of a vehicle.
  • The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise. It also should never have anything placed on it.
  • A flag in poor condition should be destroyed with dignity, preferably by burning. Most American Legion posts and local Boy Scouts troops will have the resources to retire flags accordingly. Many will host annual flag retirement ceremonies on Flag Day.

Should you need another place to properly retire your flag, the Ocala Police Department installed a Flag Retirement Box in 2021 for this purpose.

You can also stop by the Solid Waste location or Veterans Services to retire your old flags with honor.

Flags get a second life with Operation Shoebox at the annual Flag Retirement Ceremony, as well.