No symbol better signifies our nation’s greatness than our American flag—the Stars and Stripes. The Proudly We Hail program encourages the regular display of the flag by individuals, commercial establishments, and industries. To honor them a specially designed plaque is presented at a club meeting. Every club member can participate in the program because it is the individual member who watches for and nominates potential recipients. This outstanding program promotes Americanism as well as community recognition by our Exchange Club.
It is customary to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and stationary flagstaffs, except during inclement weather. It may be displayed at night to produce a patriotic effect if proper lighting is provided.
Weather permitting, display the flag every day. Always hoist the flag briskly, and lower it ceremoniously. Flags should always be flown on national and state holidays and other days proclaimed by the United States President. When handling the flag:
Never show disrespect to the flag.
Never dip the flag in any person or thing.
Never display the flag with the union down except as a signal of dire distress.
Never allow the flag to touch anything beneath it.
Never carry the flag horizontally.
Never use the flag as drapery nor to receive, hold, carry, or deliver anything.
Never place anything on the flag nor attach any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing to it.
Never embroider the flag on cushions, handkerchiefs, and the like, nor should one print it on objects intended for temporary use and then discarded it.
Never throw away a flag. Badly worn flags should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by private burning.
