With the Fourth of July fast approaching, an uptick in folks flying the U.S. flag is set to unfurl from coast to coast.
However, some people may be unknowingly disrespecting Old Glory if they don’t know the proper way to display it.
Vandergrift Veterans Honor Guard member Mike Reilly has participated in countless patriotic honor programs since 2007.
He said it’s important to make sure the flag is in good condition.
“The worn and faded flags need to be replaced because, if you’re going to fly it, respect it,” Reilly said. “When a flag is hung on a porch or residence, it should always be displayed with the blue field area (area with the stars) to the left when you’re looking at it from the street.”
Tips for correctly displaying the U.S. flag, provided by the U.S. Department of Defense website and the U.S. National Flag Code that became law in 1942, are easily found online.
The Flag Code encourages displaying the American Flag on Independence Day and other major holidays such as Labor Day, Veterans Day and Flag Day. Memorial Day has different guidelines.
Three key things to note:
• Do not allow the flag to touch anything beneath it.
• Never hang the flag upside down or backward.
• Never wear the flag as clothing, according to the U.S. Flag Code.
Reilly said many homeowners neglect to illuminate their flag at night. He offered an inexpensive solution.
“The easiest way to do it is to find a solar light and put it on the pole and hang it down to shine on the flag,” Reilly said.
Cheswick resident Tom Leskovic Jr. is an honorably discharged Army-disabled Vietnam combat veteran.
He proudly displays an American flag daily outside his residence along Pillow Avenue.
“I love God, my country, my family and my flag. I go out and will wave the flag around,” said Leskovic, who was born and raised in Springdale Township.
“People salute, beep the horn and wave. I’ve been doing that for more than five years. I’m extra careful with how I display the flag, and I learned how to respect the flag.”
For Leskovic, 74, following flag protocol is important.
“I take the flag down at night and wrap it up. I fly the flag in honor of men and women that never made it home,” he said.
The proper time frame for displaying a flag is from sunrise to sunset.
Flags should be flown from a residence at an angle, and only flags in good condition should be displayed.
Displaying the flag at an angle should include making sure the union is at the peak — this also is known as the canton and is the part of the flag with the 50 white stars against a blue background.
Displaying a U.S. flag upside down is a big no-no and should not be used for any advertisement purposes in any manner, including any marketing or as a design element.
Flying two flags on one flagpole is allowed, but the American flag should always fly above any other flag, and the American flag should be larger than other flags.
Reilly stressed that a U.S. flag should never be discarded in the trash.
“There are a lot of flags that end up in the trash and thrown over the hill with grass clippings,” Reilly said.
Flag disposal drop-off boxes are located in most communities, including the American Legion Post 982 in Vandergrift, VFW Post 33 in Greensburg, VFW Post 92 in New Kensington, VFW Post 441 in Verona and American Legion Post 460 in Monroeville.
“Burning the flags left by the public by post members is done several times a year. We have an old mailbox near the entrance, and people can just drop them in,” said Rocco D’Astolfo of Greensburg, who serves as head coordinator for military funerals handled by VFW Auxiliary Post 33.
But D’Astolfo said flag drop-offs are scant.
“Maybe we get a dozen. A lot of people burn them on (their) own,” D’Astolfo said.
VFW officials remind the public to dispose of the flag with honor and respect.
“Normally, local Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion — even if there isn’t a box, a person can stop by with their flag and they will assist,” Reilly said.
Joyce Hanz is a native of Charleston, S.C. and is a features reporter covering the Pittsburgh region. She majored in media arts and graduated from the University of South Carolina. She can be reached at jhanz@triblive.com