PORT BYRON, Ill. - State Rep. Mike Smiddy, D-Hillsdale, is encouraging citizens to recognize Flag Day on June 14 and is offering tips on how to properly care for flags.
"Many brave men and women have paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect our nation's flag and everything it stands for," said Smiddy. "We take some time to remember flag day as a way to honor our troops' dedicated service and to remember the freedoms we have because of them."
The United States Flag Code, enacted in 1942, specifies the proper procedure for handling and displaying of the flag, which includes:
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The flag should never be displayed upside down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.
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The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water or merchandise.
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The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free.
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The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding or drapery.
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Bunting of blue, white and red, always arranged with the blue above, the white in the middle and the red below, should be used for covering a speaker's desk, draping in front of the platform and for a decoration in general.
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The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used or stored in such a manner as to permit it to be easily torn, soiled or damaged in any way.
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The flag should never be used as a covering for a ceiling.
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The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture or drawing of any nature.
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The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying or delivering anything.
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The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever.
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The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.
Smiddy's constituent service office may be reached at 309-848-9098.
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