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Last Updated: Jul 2nd, 2008 - 21:15:22 |
(NewsUSA) - For U.S. citizens, the American flag symbolizes the very ideals of the United States itself: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
"Old Glory" has been flown in places all over the world and beyond, from Iwo Jima's Mount Suribachi to the surface of the moon more than 200,000 miles away.
Closer to home, the flag flies outside of the homes and offices of millions of Americans. But despite its ubiquitous presence, many citizens still do not know the basics of purchasing or maintaining the stars and stripes.
AmericanFlags.com, the largest flag retailer in the world, offers the following tips on buying and flying the American flag:
* Pay attention to quality. As with most products, the quality of a flag is usually reflected in its price. Low-cost flags are often foreign-made and wear quickly, costing more in the long run because they will need to be replaced more frequently.
* Choose the best fabric. Nylon is the most popular fabric for flags because it's durable, lightweight and flies well in even the slightest breeze.
Cotton is the traditional flag fabric, but it wears more quickly and is heavier than nylon. AmericanFlags.com offers "bulldog" cotton flags that are more resilient, but extra care still needs to be taken if you purchase any type of cotton flag.
* Size up the situation. Flags are available in many sizes, each appropriate for a different height of flagpole. The typical size of a flag used on a 20-foot flagpole or home kit is 3 feet by 5 feet. A 30-foot pole would necessitate a 6-foot by 10-foot flag, while anything over 40 feet would need a flag that's larger than 8 feet by 12 feet.
Once you've chosen a flag for your home or office, remember these tips for proper flag etiquette:
* Direction matters. If you're displaying the flag over the middle of a street, it should be flown with the union (the stars) to the north on an east-and-west street or to the east on a north-and-south street.
* Learn proper disposal. You should never fly a flag that's damaged or worn, so keep your flag in good condition. When it comes time to dispose of an old flag, never discard it in the garbage. Contact your local American Legion hall, Veterans of Foreign Wars chapter or Boy Scout troop for more information on how to properly dispose of a worn flag.
* Fold it correctly. When storing a flag, first fold it twice along the stripes. Then, starting at the striped end, fold up a triangle and repeat until only the end of the union is exposed. Finally, fold down the square into a triangle and tuck inside the folds.
For more information about flag etiquette, including points on proper display and half-mast alerts, and to browse a large selection of flags, visit www.AmericanFlags.com.
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