Honoring Veterans? Be Sure To Fly Flag Right Way

PITTSBURGH - THE PITTSBURGH CHANNEL.com

You see them across every neighborhood in the Pittsburgh area -- western Pennsylvanians like to show their patriotism. But there is a right way and a wrong way to fly the American flag.

'Seeing those flags flying is 234 years of thank yous." said Maj. Robby Dinero. "The flag is a living symbol of our nation. And as it's a living symbol, it needs to be handled with care and respect."

Dinero is with the US Marines and is very familiar with the federal law dictating how the Stars and Stripes must be flown.

"It should never be allowed to touch the ground. It should never be allowed to become soiled. It should not be allowed to become ripped, torn, tattered," Dinero said.

Those are the basics, but Channel 4 Action News' Ari Hait reported there are many other regulations to remember.

If you hang your flag on a pole outside your house it must be at a 45 degree angle. Even the smaller flags on a stick should be at that same 45 degree angle.

If you're hanging a flag without a pole, only fasten the top, never the bottom.

"So that the flag can wave. So that the flag can look appropriate, so it is not taut or look like a decoration," Dinero said.

Something else to remember about flying a flag: it should be flown from sunup to sundown, unless you have lights. The flag must be illuminated at all times.

"It also should be brought in during inclement weather, unless you have an all-weather flag," Dinero said.

Despite precautions, your flag will eventually wear. Then it must be disposed of properly. Give it to the Boy Scouts or a local VFW -- those groups will burn it in a ceremonial pit.

"It goes back a long, long way. And it's just something they started over the years and we've tried to follow up on it and keep it going," said John Meighen of the VFW.

For more information on properly flying your flag, visit

www.vfw.org

.

Most Popular Stories at THE PITTSBURGH CHANNEL

• Stay Granted In Roethlisberger Sex Suit; Big Ben Talks
• Connellsville Woman, 31, Dies From H1N1 Virus
• Months After Super Bowl Catch, Santonio Holmes Still Asks 'Why?'
• Pittsburgh Parade, Other Events Mark Veterans Day
• Report: Elderly Man Hit In Head In Robbery Attempt

MORE FROM THEPITTSBURGHCHANNEL.COM

ThePittsburghChannel.Com Section Front

Pittsburgh Men Put Stars In Palm Of Your Hand   Girlfriend Of Man Accused Of Kicking Puppy To Death Also Charged   Body Of Woman Found In Ohio River   North Huntingdon Officer Thrown 30 Feet In Motorcycle Crash   Pittsburgh Holiday Travel Remains Smooth On Turnpike, At Airport ThePittsburghChannel.Com Section Front   Add ThePittsburghChannel.Com headlines to your news reader: