Senator Sanders Calls on Residents to Celebrate and Honor the American Flag on Flag Day

FAR ROCKAWAY, NY - Senator James Sanders Jr. (D-Queens) calls on residents to acknowledge their rights and privileges as American citizens as our nation celebrates Flag Day, June 14.

Flag Day, is a day for Americans to honor and show respect for the American flag. The flag represents America's independence and its unity as a nation.
"The American flag represents our country and should be held in the highest of regards," said Senator Sanders, a US Marine Corps veteran. "As Americans, we have every right to be proud of our culture, our nation, and our flag." 

Lately, National Football League players have made news when kneeling in protest to police brutality against blacks as the national anthem plays and fans salute the flag at stadium games. The controversy has Americans taking sides on the First Amendment right to free speech and respect for the flag. 
"It is as patriotic as anything else," Sanders said of athletes who kneel.

These are the basic practices on displaying the American flag:

• The flag is normally flown from sunrise to sunset.
• In the morning, the flag should be raised briskly. At sunset, lowered slowly. It should always be raised and lowered ceremoniously.
• The flag should not be flown at night without a light on it.
• The flag should not be flown in the rain or inclement weather.
• After a tragedy or death, the flag is flown at half-staff for 30 days. It is called "half-staff" on land, and "half-mast" on a ship.
• When flown vertically on a pole, the stars and blue field, or "union", is at the top and at the end of the pole (away from your house).
• The American flag is always flown at the top of the pole. The State flag and other flags fly below it.
• The union is always on top. When displayed in print, the stars and blue field are always on the left.
• Never let the flag touch the ground, never...period.
• Fold the flag when storing. Don't just stuff it in a drawer or box.
• When the flag is old and has seen better days, it is time to retire it. Old flags should be burned or buried. Do not throw it in the trash.