On September 11, 2001 the United States of America was attacked at New York City, Washington, DC and Pennsylvania not by a foreign government but rather by a group of fanatical terrorists led by Osma Bin Laden. This vicious attack on American civilians on American soil has sparked a great resurgence of patriotism within the United States not seen since December 7, 1941 when the Empire of Japan attacked the United States at Pearl Harbor. Great numbers of americans outraged by this vicious attack have demonstrated their support of our President, George W. Bush and government actions by flying the national flag from their homes, cars, office buildings and just about every where. Lapel pin flags are proudly worn and lawn signs stating "I'm proud to be an American" probogate neighborhoods. Patroitism abounds. Demand for flags has been so great manufacturers can not keep up with demand, people who never had a flag now have one and display it proudly.

The E.T. Brisson detachment of the Marine Corps League believe it's appropriate and fitting to incorporate within our web site this section on our national flag, "THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER" a long standing symbol of Freedom, Liberty and Justice for all. Many of our brother Marines, soldiers, sailors and airforce gave their lives for the values it represents. May it long fly over our nation with dignity uniting us and leading us to victory over tyranny.

Following is historical information on flags and our flag as well flag etiquette.

A flag is a piece of cloth, usually with a picture or design on it that stands for something. It may represent a nation, person or organization; it may symbolize a belief or idea or transmit information.

National flags are in many ways the most important flags in the world. They stand for all the people in a country, just as state and city flags stand for people in smaller areas.

Most national flags use one or more of only seven basic colors, red, white, blue, green, yellow, black and orange.

Our National Flag the red white and blue flag of the United States has many names:

The most popular being "The Stars and Stripes", however no one knows the origin of this name.

Francis Scott Key first called the United States flag the "Star Spangled Banner" in 1814 when he wrote the poem that became the national anthem.

William Driver, a sea captain from Salem, Mass. gave the name"Old Glory" to the US Flag in 1824.

The Flag of the United States of America

At the start of the Revolutionary War in America (1775-1783) the colonists fought under many flags. The first flag to represent all the colonies was the Continental Colors, also called the Cambridge or Grand Union Flag.(below) This flag on which the British flag appeared at the upper left hand corner, served as the unofficial American Flag from 1775 to 1777. It was also the first American flag to be saluted by another country.
After the Declaration of Independence on July 4,1776 the British flag was no longer appropriate as part of the American flag. On June 4,1777 the Continental Congress resolved that "the flag of the united states be 13 stripes alternate red and white" and that "the union be 13 stars white in a blue field representing a new constellation." This American flag received its first salute from another country on February 14, 1778 when French vessels in Quiberon Bay, France saluted American naval officer John Paul Jones and his ship Ranger.

There were a few different designs for this first new flag, the "Betsy Ross flag" (above right) and the "Stars and Stripes" (below) No one knows for sure who designed the flag or who made the first one. A different design of the Stars and Stripes flag (right) was available, both met the criteria specified by the Continental Congress. Francis Hopkinson, a delegate to the Continental Congress, claimed that he had designed it, a claim accepted by most scholars.

In 1870 William J. Canby claimed his that grandmother, Betsy Ross, had made the first United States flag. Betsy Ross was a Philadelphia seamstress who made flags during the Revolutionary War. Virtually everyone in the United States is aware of the legend of Betsy Ross and the making of the first US Flag. Although it cannot be proven, it has been accepted as fact by Americans since first publicly stated in 1870. Few Americans, however are aware that Betsy was not the only Flagmaker in the early days of our republic.

On July 4, 1776 the Continental Congress passed a resolution authorizing a committee to devise a seal for the United States of America. This mission, designed to reflect the Founding Fathers' beliefs, values and sovereignty of the new Nation. In heraldic devices, such as seals, each element has a specific meaning, even colors have specific meanings. The colors red, white and blue did not have meanings for the Stars and Stripes when it was adopted in 1777, however the colors in the great seal did have a specific meaning. Charles Thompson, Secretary of the Continental Congress, reporting to Congress on the Seal, stated: "The colors of the pales (vertical stripes) are those used in the flag of the United States of America, White signifies purity and innocence, Red, hardiness and valor, and Blue, the color of the Chief (the broad band above the stripes) signifies vigilance, perserverance and justice."

After the revolution as a new territory achieved statehood and joined the union a star was added to the national flag. At the outbreak of the War between the States, the Civil War, there were 35 stars representing 35 states on the national flag. Even though the southern states succeeded from the union President Lincoln refused to change the national flag, he maintained the 33 stars as it was his goal to preserve the union. That flag is shown below left.After the civil war additional stars were added as territories achieved statehood and joined the union, the last to become a state was Hawaii in 1960, which added the 50th star to our flag,The Stars and Stripes with 50 stars is shown at the right.


Flag Etiquette
When carried in a procession, the flag should be to the right of the marchers. When other flags are carried, the flag of the United States may be centered in front of the others or carried to their right. When a flag passes in procession or when it is hoisted or lowered all should face the flag and salute.

To salute, all persons 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 an organization in formation salute upon command of the person in charge.

Flag lapel pins are worn on the left lapel over the heart.

The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary.

The flag code which formalizes and unifies the traditional ways in which we give respect to the flag, also contains specific instructions on how the flag is not to be used. they are:

The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing.

It is to be flow upside down only as a distress signal.

The flag should not be used as drapery, or for covering a speakers desk, draping a platform or for any decoration in general. Bunting of red, white and blue stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripes of the bunting should be on the top.

The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard.

The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of miltary personnel, fireman, policeman and members of patriotic organizations.

The flag should never have placed on it, or attached to it, any mark, insigna, letter, word,number, figure or drawing of any kind.

The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying or delivering anything.

When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.

NOTE: most American Legions Posts regularly conduct a dignified flag burning ceremony, often on Flag day, June 14th. Contact your local American Legion Hall and inquire about the availability of this service.



Are you aware you can purchase a U.S. Flag that has flown over the US Capitol? Read on!

Anyone can purchase a U.S. Flag that has flown over the United States Capitol building in Washington D.C. This can be accomplished in a couple of ways; you may simply write a letter to your Senator with your request or print and complete this Capitol Flag Order Form and mail the letter or completed form to your Senator. Their address can be obtained by calling your local Public Library and asking for it or use the Senators of the 106th Congress web site to locate contact information for your Senator.

You may request that your flag be flown on a certain date such as a birthday or anniversary. Be sure to mail in your request at least 4 weeks prior to the date you have selected. Your flag will be mailed to you and arrive 3-4 weeks after the date you have specified. Enclosed with your flag will be a Certificate from The Architect Of The Capitol certifying that your flag was flown as requested. If you mention in your letter or on your request form that this flag is for any specific occasion, that information will be included on the certificate.

The prices are as follows:

  3' x 5' nylon....$7.50
  3' x 5' cotton...$8.25
  5' x 8' nylon...$17.50
  5' x 8' cotton..$18.75