Wayne Industries welcomes Versailles Vets
by Kathy Magoto

Members of the Versailles VFW Post #3849 and American Legion post #435 delivered a presentation of the proper etiquette of the American flag to those at Wayne Industries. Mark Kunk, a past VFW commander and former trustee, spoke on proper flying of the United States flag. He emphasized that the US flag is always positioned in a place of honor and handled with great respect.

Some of Kunk's presentation has been captured below to serve as a reminder of proper flag etiquette for all of us:

When displaying more than one flag on a pole the flag of the US is always placed in the position of honor at the top. Unless it is flown with the national banner of other countries, then each flag must be displayed from a separate pole of the same height and each flag should be the same size, because the flag of any one nation may not be displayed above that of another nation.

However when state or society flags are flown on separate flag poles of the same height in a straight line, the US flag is always to the right. The other flags may be smaller but none may be larger and the United States flag is to be raised first and lowered last.

The US flag should not touch the ground and is to be raised briskly and lowered slowly and ceremoniously. Ordinarily it should be displayed only between sunrise and sunset. But if it is flown at night it should be illuminated. The flag of the United States of America is saluted as it is hoisted and lowered. The salute is held until the flag is unsnapped from the halyard or through the last note of music, whichever is the longest.

When a flag passes in a parade all persons are to come to attention. Those in uniform give the appropriate formal salute. Citizens not in uniform salute by placing their right hand over the heart and men with head cover should remove it and hold it to left shoulder, hand over the heart. Members of organizations in formation salute upon command of the person in charge.

During the pledge of allegiance citizens should respectfully stand at attention, face the flag, and salute. Also when the national anthem is played or sung an attentive salute should be directed to the flag from the first note until the last note. If the flag is not present the salute should be directed towards the music.

The flag is not to be used as a covering or draping, there is bunting for such applications. However the flag is used to cover a military or veteran's casket, in which case the flag is placed with the union (stars) at the head and over the left shoulder. But the flag should not be lowered into the grave.

When a flag is not flown or displayed it is folded in a specific manner.

Roger Henry, Commander of the American Legion, explained the triangle folding of the flag and the meaning of the 13 folds while Kunk and Wagner executed the traditional method. Then Tim Wagner, Commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars demonstrated how the folded flag, displaying only the blue field (stars), is presented to the family at a funeral. Upon which Mike Barga, Sergeant at Arms, trustee and a past commander of the American Legion, presented the flag to Wayne Industries on behalf of the VFW Post #3849 and the American Legion Post #435.

Former American Legion commander and current trustee, Bill Marshal, also assisted with the presentation and demonstration while Richard Coffield of the American Legion (not pictured) served as photographer.

[Perhaps you have noticed the US flag appears reversed on the veteran's uniforms pictured. The flag is displayed reversed on all military uniforms so it appears as if the soldier is moving into battle and not retreating? To better understand this concept, imagine someone carrying the U.S. flag on a pole while running forward.]