Elaine, Thanks for reminding us of this.  I do remember when we use to do this at school.   Robin R Inge "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments that take our breath away"     ________________________________ From: Elaine Martin <mcstumped@suddenlink.net> To: txgen <txgen@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, June 7, 2009 12:57:52 PM Subject: [TXGEN] Flag Day For those of us who make sure we fly our flag, next Sunday is FLAG day.  So, how about a refresher course in flag etiquette? There was a time (yeah, I am old enough to remember those times....) when every citizen, and most kids, knew flag etiquette.  We took turns at school raising the flag each morning and taking the flag down each evening, and folding it properly.  It was treated with respect and honor.  The whole school body gathered each morning for the raising of the flag, and once it was raised we gave the Pledge of Allegiance.  We also had several old WWII Veteran citizens that showed up every morning for the "ceremony" and it always fascinated me that they always stood at attention and saluted the flag.  Years later I spoke with one of the gentlemen about their coming each morning for the flag raising and asked him why they had faithfully shown up each day.  He quietly asked me why I remembered his being there.  My reply was that after awhile I understood that they were paying their respect to their country in this manner.  He smiled and said I had just answered my own question.  I had also learned to admire and respect two gentlemen I would not have otherwise had the honor of knowing.    Elaine *Rules for display of the Texas Flag* The Texas flag, according to the Flag Code, "shall be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously". The blue field, shall be against the flag pole and the white stripe shall be at the top, except in the case of a life and death emergency. That means, if the flag is flying upside down, you are in mortal danger. When you display the Texas flag, the flag should not touch the ground, should always be on a flag pole and should always be allowed to wave free. It should be displayed with appropriate lighting if out after dark, and should not be flown in inclement weather. The only flag that can be flown above the Texas flag on a single flag pole is the United States flag, but it is recommended that the Texas flag have its own flag pole of equal height to the United States flag. If the Texas flag is passing, as in a parade, you should - if you are a citizen of Texas - stand, remove your hat, and place your right hand over your heart. If you are not a citizen of Texas, you are expected to remove your hat and stand reverently, until the flag has passed. If you are carrying the Texas flag, it shall never be dipped to anyone or anything, except as a sign of honor to the United States flag. You should not draw it back or up in folds, it should be held in such a way that it will fly free. The Texas Pledge of Allegiance: "Honor the Texas flag; I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and indivisible." The Pledge of Allegiance may be recited at any public or private meeting when the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States flag is recited, and it should come after the pledge to the United States flag. Always recite the pledge once the flag has reached the top of the flag pole. When taking down the flag, do it slowly, and with reverence. When it reaches the bottom of the flag pole, don't let it touch the ground. Then it should be folded.       Rules for display of the American Flag         Display Outdoors _*Over the Middle of the Street*_ It should be suspended vertically with the union to the north in an east and west street or to the east in a north and south street. *_Flown at Half-staff_* Should be first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The flag should be again raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day. By "half-staff" is meant lowering the flag to one-half the distance between the top and bottom of the staff. Crepe streamers may be affixed to spear heads or flagstaffs in a parade only by order of the President of the United States. *_Flown on the Same Halyard with Non-Nation Flags_* The American Flag should always be at the peak. When the flags are flown from adjacent staffs, the flag of the United States should be hoisted first and lowered last. No such flag or pennant may be placed above the flag of the United States or to the right of the flag of the United States. *_Suspended Over a Sidewalk_* The flag may be suspended from a rope extending from a house to a pole at the edge of the sidewalk, the flag should be hoisted out, union first, from the building. *_From a Staff Projecting Horizontally or at an Angle_* The flag may be projected from the window sill, balcony, or front of a building, with the union of the flag placed at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half-staff. *_In a Parade with Other Flags_* The flag, when carried in a procession with another flag, or flags, should be either on the marching right; that is, the flag's own right, or, if there is a line of other flags, in front of the center of that line. *_With Non-National Flags_* The flag of the United States of America should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags of States or localities or pennants of societies are grouped and displayed from staffs. *_With Other National Flags_* When flags of two or more nations are displayed, they are to be flown from separate staffs of the same height. The flags should be of approximately equal size. International usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace. *_With Another Flag Against a Wall from Crossed Staffs_* Should be on the right, the flag's own right which is the viewer's left, and its staff should be in front of the staff of the other flag.         Display Indoors *_From a Staff in a Church or Public Auditorium on a Podium_* The flag of the United States of America should hold the position of superior prominence, in advance of the audience, and in the position of honor at the clergyman's or speaker's right as he faces the audience. Any other flag so displayed should be placed on the left of the clergyman or speaker (to the right of the audience). *_From a Staff in a Church or Public Auditorium off the Podium_* Custom and not the flag code hold that the flag of the United States of America should hold the position of superior prominence as part of the audience, in the position of honor at the audience's right. *_Used to Cover a Casket_* It should be so placed that the union is at the head and over the left shoulder. The flag should not be lowered into the grave or allowed to touch the ground. *_Other than being Flown from a Staff_* The flag should be displayed flat, whether indoors or out. When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union should be uppermost and to the flag's own right, that is, to the observer's left. When displayed in a window it should be displayed in the same way, that is with the union or blue field to the left of the observer in the street. When festoons, rosettes or drapings are desired, bunting of blue, white and red should be used, but never the flag. Our goal is to do our small part to inspire pride in this great country of ours. -- Nature's trees and family trees Are much alike, 'tis true: They both bear peaches, Nuts and lemons too. ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to TXGEN-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message