U.S. Flag Resources & Service Ideas

• Name of 4-H Club
• County
• Name of Service Project
• Service Project Start & End Date
• Service Project Location
• Brief Service Project Description
• Brief Description of Individuals/Organization that Benefited from the Service Project
• Partnering Organization Names (if applicable)
• Total Number of 4-H Youth & Adult Participants
• Total Number of 4-H Youth & Adult Service Hours (10 members x 1 hour = 10 service hours)
• Overall Impact Statement (ex. 100 flags were distributed or 25 old flags were properly retired)
• Photo of Service Activity (if applicable)

In the United States, we celebrate four holidays involving the U.S. flag, including Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day and Veterans Day. These holidays provide us with an opportunity to extend gratitude and honor those who serve or who have served in the U.S. military. The purpose of this page is to provide you with fun facts around each of these holidays, give you more information about U.S. flag etiquette, provide you with community service ideas, including organizations you can partner with, and activities you can do with your club members to use each holiday as a learning experience.

• Flag Holiday Facts
• U.S. Flag Etiquette (How to Display, Fold and Dispose of the Flag
• Community Service Ideas to Honor Veterans
• Organizations Your Club Can Collaborate With
• Learning Activity Ideas for Your Club Members

• Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day.
• Memorial Day is a day for remembrance of those who have died in service to our county.
• Memorial Day was first widely observed on May 30, 1868 to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers.
• New York was the first state to designate Memorial Day as a legal holiday in 1873.
• Memorial Day was declared a national holiday when Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act in 1971.
• Memorial Day is celebrated on the last Monday of May.
• Each year, a small flag is placed on each grave at Arlington National Cemetery to commemorate Memorial Day.
  

Flag Day

• Flag Day is observed each year on the second Sunday in June.
  
• President Woodrow Wilson declared June 14th as National Flag day in 1916.
• In 1949, President Truman signed an Act of Congress recognizing the holiday of Flag Day.
• Flag Day originated in Waubeka, Ozaukee County, Wisconsin.
  

Independence Day

• The tradition of setting off fireworks on the 4th of July began in Philadelphia in 1777 during the first organized celebration of Independence Day.
• Congress made July 4th a federal holiday in 1870.
• The most common symbol of Independence Day is the American flag.
• John Adams believed that July 2nd was the correct date to celebrate the birth of American independence.
• Three presidents who signed the Declaration of Independence died on July 4th. John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died on July 4, 1826 – the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. James Monroe died five years later on July 4, 1831.
• John Hancock was the first person to sign the Declaration of Independence and has the largest signature on the Declaration of Independence.
  
• Massachusetts became the first state to make the 4th of July an official state holiday in 1781.
• Thomas Jefferson was the main author of the Declaration of Independence.
• The Liberty Bell located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, rings 13 times every Independence Day to honor the 13 original states.

Veterans Day

• The U.S. flag stands for our nation and the shared history, pride, principles and commitment of its people. When we properly display this powerful symbol, we signal our respect for everything it represents.
• The flag shouldn't be flown in inclement weather, unless it’s an all-weather flag.
  
• Flags displayed at night should be properly illuminated.
• In a time of national mourning, hang the flag at half-mast.
• The flag can be flown every day, but it is often flown to show patriotism on these observances:
• New Year's Day
• Inauguration Day
• Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday
• Lincoln's Birthday
• Washington's Birthday (Presidents Day)
  
• National Vietnam War Veterans Day
  
• Easter Sunday
  
• Armed Forces Day
  
• Memorial Day
  
• Flag Day
  
• Independence Day
  
• National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day
  
• Labor Day
  
• Constitution Day
  
• Columbus Day
  
• Navy Day
  
• Veterans Day
  
• Thanksgiving Day
  
• Christmas Day
• When displaying the flag…
  
  • From your porch
  • Place the union (blue section) at the peak of the staff.
  • Against a wall or on a window
  • Place the union (blue section) at the top left corner.
  • On your vehicle
  • Clamp the staff to the right front fender.
  • With another flag
  • Place the U.S. flag to your left when crossed.

Follow the steps below to properly fold the U.S. flag or watch How to Fold the American Flag.

1. Fold the lower striped section of the flag over the blue field.
   
2. Fold over the folded bottom edge to meet the top edge.
   
3. Begin a triangular fold by bringing the striped corner of the folded edge to the top edge.
   
4. Turn the other point inward, parallel with the top edge to form a second triangle.
5. Continue until the final folds ensure that only the Union (the blue portion with white stars) is showing and the open edges are folded in.
   

Flag Disposal

When to Dispose of an American Flag

According to U.S. Flag Code 4 USC Ch. 1, "The flag, when it is in such condition that it is not longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning." Below are five ways you can retire a U.S. flag that align with the U.S. Flag Code.

Burning a Flag 

Steps to Holding a Flag Burning Ceremony

1. Check local burning laws in your area to ensure you are allowed to build a fire.
2. Note the material of your flag. If your flag is made of nylon or polyester, choose a different disposal method as these materials create harmful gases when openly burned.
   
3. Fold the whole flag.
4. Start a fire.
5. Place the flag in the fire (do not allow it to touch the ground).
6. Salute the flag, say the Pledge of Allegiance and pause for a moment of silence as the flag begins to burn.
7. Bury the ashes.
   

Community Disposal Boxes for Flags

• Drop it off in a flag disposal box within your local community.
  
• These are usually found at government offices, police stations, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) posts or American Legions.
  

Burying a Flag

1. Fold the whole flag.
2. Place in wooden box.
3. Bury the box.
4. Pause for a moment of silence.

Shredding Techniques

1. Use scissors to cut apart each of the 13 white and red stripes.
2. Leave the blue star-spangled field in one piece.
3. Then, it can be placed in a box for burial or in a fire for burning.

Recycling a Flag

• Some flag companies will accept old flags and use the material to make new ones
  

Who Can Dispose of a Flag?

Anyone can hold a flag disposal ceremony as long as it is done in a respectful and dignified way.

Activities for Clubs

• Take a virtual tour of the White House.
• Create a sidewalk mural honoring the U.S. flag or military members.
• Send a care package to active military members.
• Visit a VA Hospital, nursing home or retirement home.
• Organize a Veterans Day dinner to serve in your local community.
• Hang a U.S. flag in a location that does not have one. Be sure to fly it correctly!
• Invite a local veteran to speak at your club meeting.
• Honor veterans in your school.