Shreveport/Bossier: Celebrate Flag Day, Avoid These Mistakes!

Shreveport/Bossier and all of America will celebrate Old Glory's birthday tomorrow!

Get our free mobile app

The Stars and Stripes will turn 248 years old. One of the most iconic symbols in the entire world, the United States Flag, means so much to so many. From the pursuit of happiness and freedom to baseball, hot dogs and apple pie.

And tomorrow, June 14, National Flag Day, is the day set aside each year, that we observe this symbol of American pride and the American way of life.

According to the National Flag Day Foundation: "American Flag Day all began on June 14 of 1885 when Bernard J. Cigrand, a 19 year old teacher at Stony Hill School, placed a 10 inch, 38-star flag in a bottle on his desk and then assigned essays on the flag and its significance. This observance, commemorated Congresses adoption of the Stars and Stripes as the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777.

While scores of Americans plan to proudly display their American Flag Friday, there are some who will unwittingly make some common mistakes in the displaying of that flag.

According to starspangledflags.com these are the five most common errors made in displaying Old Glory.

Flag Etiquette Mistake #1 - Don't Reverse the Union

When flying Old Glory on a pole, the position of the union is irrelevant, however if you plan to display the flag on a wall, always position the union (the area with the stars) in the upper left corner

Flag Etiquette Mistake #2- Don't Display During Inclement Weather

With the slight possibility of an afternoon thunderstorm tomorrow, remember that according to the U.S. Flag Code, "The flag should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement, except when an all weather flag is displayed."

Flag Etiquette Mistake #3 - Don't Display a Worn or Tattered American Flag

Never display an American flag that is torn or ripped or physically worn.

Should your flag get to the point where it is no longer suitable for display, it should be properly retired. The video below describes the process for proper disposal of that flag.

Flag Etiquette Mistake #4 - Don't Forget to Illuminate a Flag Flying at Night

Yes, it's perfectly acceptable to fly your American flag at night, as long as it's illuminated.

It's as simple as placing a spotlight that will shine directly on it during the hours of darkness.

Flag Etiquette Mistake # 5 - Don't Ever Allow the Flag to Touch the Ground

One of the most grievous of flag etiquette no-no's, the American Flag should never be allowed to touch the ground, or anything below it, including a piece of furniture or shrubbery.