Memorial Day and the U.S. flag

"Memorial Day is a time to take stock of the present, reflect on the past, and renew our commitment to the future of America," President Ronald Regan said in his May, 1983 Memorial Day address.

Thing is, the traditional observance of Memorial Day has actually diminished over the years. Not only have many Americans forgotten the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day, most Americans do not know how to display the flag on the day.

One veteran said, "Many Americans have forgotten the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day.

"At many cemeteries, the graves of the fallen are increasingly ignored. Most people no longer remember the proper flag etiquette for the day."Some even think the day is for honoring any and all dead, and not just those fallen in service to our country."

Efforts have been made by some to reinforce the traditional meaning and observance of Memorial Day.

One such effort has been that of the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts of St. Louis, who began in 1951 placing flags on the 150,000 graves at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery as an annual Good Turn. Their practice continues to the present.

Incidentally, regarding the proper use of the flag, local Cub Scout Pack 89 is going to be holding a Flag Retirement Ceremony on Thursday, June 14, Flag Day.

According to Cubmaster Charles T. Brown, "Several businesses and individuals have asked if we could help properly dispose of American flags.

"We decided it would be good for our Cub Scouts to honor the flag on Flag Day by having a Flag Retirement/Burning Ceremony."

That ceremony will begin at 5:30 p.m. in front of the Kennett American Legion building on June 14.

The Cub Scouts on Flag Day will be continuing a tradition first observed when President Truman proclaimed the holiday in 1949.

On Memorial Day, however, those wishing to honor those who have died in the service of their country by honoring the U.S. flag should know a few important rules.

On Memorial Day, the U.S. flag should be flown at half-staff. It should be flown at half-staff only until noon and then raised to the top for the remainder of the day.

Other times when the U.S. flag should be flown at half-staff include Peace Officers Memorial Day, unless that day is also Armed Forces Day, by order of the president, or by order of the governor of a state.

To properly place the flag at half-staff, the flag should be lifted to the highest peak on the flagpole, held for a moment, and then lowered to the half-staff position. At the end of the day, the flag should be raised to the top and then lowered.

The U.S. Code provides specific considerations to take into account to respect the flag:

* never display the flag upside down, except as a signal of severe distress involving danger to life or property;

* never permit the flag to touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, water or the floor;

* never carry the flag horizontally;

* never use the flag to cover a ceiling;

* never use the flag as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying or delivering anything.

Upcoming Memorial Days and Observances:

2008

Actual Memorial Day: May 30 Friday

Memorial Day Observed: May 26 Monday

2009

Actual Memorial Day: May 30 Saturday

Memorial Day Observed: May 25 Monday

2010

Actual Memorial Day: May 30 Sunday

Memorial Day Observed: May 31 Monday

2011

Actual Memorial Day: May 30 Monday

Memorial Day Observed: Same (May 30 Monday)

2012

Actual Memorial Day: May 30 Wednesday

Memorial Day Observed: May 28 Monday

2013

Actual Memorial Day: May 30 Thursday

Memorial Day Observed: May 27 Monday

2014

Actual Memorial Day: May 30 Friday

Memorial Day Observed: May 26 Monday

2015

Actual Memorial Day: May 30 Saturday

Memorial Day Observed: May 25 Monday

2016

Actual Memorial Day: May 30 Monday

Memorial Day Observed: Same (May 30 Monday)

2017

Actual Memorial Day: May 30 Tuesday

Memorial Day Observed: May 29 Monday

2018

Actual Memorial Day: May 30 Wednesday

Memorial Day Observed: May 28 Monday

2019

Actual Memorial Day: May 30 Thursday

Memorial Day Observed: May 27 Monday