June 14 is Flag Day

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Kyle Johnson
  • JBER Public Affairs
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska --  Flag Day is one of the oldest American holidays, but also one of the most commonly overlooked - despite the fact that nearly every military service member sees, or salutes, its legacy at some point during their day.

May 30, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a presidential proclamation announcing June 14 as national Flag Day.

Every year since, American flags have been just a bit more prominent on June 14 than other days and many folks buy new flags around this time to display on their homes.

But they may not be aware their good intentions could be seen by others as disrespect.

Here are some quick tips to avoid being a misunderstood patriot this Flag Day.

When displaying a flag at home, ensure proper respect is maintained.

"You want the flag to be presentable at all times," said Air Force Staff Sgt. Jordan Hayes, 673d Force Support Squadron, noncomissioned officer in charge of the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Air Force Honor Guard. "If it's in good working order, it's a sign of respect to your nation. When a flag becomes tattered or worn, it should be removed. I had one at my house that became tattered and upon noticing it, it was quickly replaced."

Which begs the question, what is the proper way to dispose of a flag? Many homeowners are unsure what to do with an old flag, not wanting to be disrespectful.

"When a flag is served its useful purpose, it should be destroyed; preferably by burning," Hayes said. "For an individual citizen like me or you at our home of residence, we should dispose of it discreetly by folding it in the 13 folds in a triangular shape and placed on an [already] burning fire.

"It should be done in a way that's not perceived as a protest or in desecration."

Please ensure any burns are in accordance with local policy and that it is not a no-burn day.

Many times, flag burning is seen as massive disrespect, but the truth is, it is the most proper way to dispose of it.

"It's the intentions," Hayes said. "If you're doing it in a discreet manner, you can do it to pay respect to our nation. Nobody protests the flag by burning it in their backyard behind a big fence. They burn it in public with hate and disrespect."

Individuals can research how to do the proper 13-fold triangle shape before burning it, or if they feel more comfortable, can bring the flag in to be folded by the Honor Guard.

"It's important not to let a flag touch the ground because it's a sign of disrespect. In a ceremony, you're representing the Air Force holding our nation's colors and the services that protect that nation. Everything short of someone passing out while holding it, it would show a lack of care, preparation and focus.

"If a flag is stained or soiled, it can be dry cleaned. We dry clean flags. But if it can't be fixed, then the flag is deemed unserviceable and should be disposed of properly. The most proper way being by folding it up and burning it.

When a flag is displayed in an official manner, it should be raised and lowered in accordance with sunrise and sunset or illuminated during hours of darkness, Hayes said.

Homeowners have the option to do this, but raising or lowering it isn't often viable and neither is wiring a spotlight for it.

"I see a lot of places that have a flag out 24/7, like a bank or something, you'll noticed there'll be a light on it," Hayes said. "In the community where I live, every other house or so has a flag on it. None of them have a light from the balcony illuminating the flag at night, nor do they lower it. 

"There are no regulations on this specifically, but I would say just keep the flag in good condition."

Hand-in-hand with proper display of the flag is proper observation of customs and courtesies on base, like the daily playing of reveille, the national anthem and "To the Colors".

When driving on base and the anthem begins to play, Air Force instruction is to sit quietly in the car and pay respects.

For Soldiers, the expectation is more specific. In accordance with Army Regulation 600-25, "Salutes, Honors, and Visits of Courtesy," during Reveille and Retreat, moving vehicles will stop. Military passengers will dismount and render the proper courtesies. Drivers will remain in the parked vehicle. When in buses and trucks, only the senior occupant will dismount and render courtesies.

Regardless, individuals should know their regulation and pay respects accordingly.

Individuals should also be aware of expectations during ceremonies with the National Anthem, or when outside at 5 p.m. when reveille and retreat.

"[When the anthem is played] inside, if you are in uniform, you are to assume the position of attention and face the flag," Hayes said. "Unless you are under arms or in a formation wearing headgear; then you would render a salute. If you're a civilian, it is suggested you remove your headgear and place your right hand over your heart."

"Regardless of the uniform, outdoors, you'd still render a salute," Hayes said. "It's still acceptable to salute if you're a veteran, civilian, or in civilian clothes. If you want to salute of your own accord, then do it. As far as military members wearing the uniform, we want uniformity, but otherwise, it's a sign of respect. When you salute something, you're acknowledging it and recognizing it. By doing that you're showing respect."

According to Air Force instruction 34-1201, if the flag is being raised or lowered, all outside sporting or physical training activities will stop during Reveille and Retreat, and proper honors shown to the flag.

"If you're exercising in the Buckner, Elmendorf or Hangar 5 fitness facilities you do not have to stop working out unless there is a ceremony taking place in the facility," said Command Sgt. Maj. Eugene Moses, 673d ABW sergeant major. "However, everyone should always be mindful of their surroundings and practice appropriate customs and courtesies while working out."

In Hangar 5, the anthem is much louder than in other facilities, so people can get confused as to what to do, often with some people stopping and standing at attention while others continue working out.

Much like when a veteran salutes indoors, there's nothing wrong with doing it, it's an extra step of respect, Hayes said.

"You're indoors, so you're not obligated to stand at the position of attention, render a salute or anything like that," Hayes said. "If you want to put it in perspective, if you're in the gym playing basketball and the national anthem went off, they don't call the gym to attention.

"I'd be right there with them doing it, but you're not obligated to."

When President Wilson proclaimed June 14 as national Flag Day, he did so to honor the flag and the sacrifices made for it. When celebrating Flag Day this year, make sure that same honor is evident.