Carrot Top

The US Air Force flag consists of an ultramarine blue, which is the air force’s branch color. The flag is 4 feet 4 inches wide by 5 feet 6 inches in length. The indoor version of the flag has a 2 ½ inch yellow/gold border around the outer edge. The coat of arms of the Department of the Air Force is in the center of the flag.

The flag is always carried with streamers commemorating the air force’s battles and campaigns, starting with the Mexican Expedition in 1916-1917. The air force was a part of the army until 1947 and its battle streamers from that period are also flown with the US Army flag.

The US Navy flag consists of a dark blue base with the Navy seal in the center. The words United States Navy are written in dark blue on a yellow scroll below the seal. The flag measures 4 feet 4 inches wide by 5 feet 6 inches in length. The Navy’s official colors are blue and gold and the indoor version of the flag has a gold border around the outer edge.

The US Navy flag doesn’t fly from ships as the national flag and other signal flags are flown instead. The flag is basically used as a ceremonial symbol and is only carried by honor guards in parades and other ceremonies.

The US Navy still uses the international nautical flags, even in this technological age of radio and satellites.

The flag is always displayed with a set of streamers commemorating the battles, campaigns and service of the US Navy, since 1775. There are currently 28 authorized streamers, plus three to recognize awards of the Presidential Unit Citation, the Navy Unit Commendation and the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation.

“Taps” is an American call, composed by the Union Army’s Brigadier General Daniel Butterfield while in camp at Harrison’s Landing, Virginia, in 1862. Butterfield wrote the call to replace the earlier “Tattoo” (lights out), which he thought too formal. The call soon became known as “Taps” because it was often tapped out on a drum in the absence of a bugler. Before the year was out, sounding Taps became the practice in both Northern and Southern camps. The call was officially adopted by the U.S. Army in 1874.

Here are the words to “Taps”

Fading light dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright.
From afar drawing nigh — Falls the night.

Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, from the hills, from the sky.
All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.

Then good night, peaceful night,
Till the light of the dawn shineth bright,
God is near, do not fear — Friend, good night.

“TAPS” went on from its origin as an alternative to “Lights Out” to become not only a signal that day was done, but also to say good-bye to a fallen comrade.

“TAPS” is customarily played at funerals at Arlington national Cemetery as well as at ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknowns there.

The US Marine Corp flag consists of a red base with an emblem of the world showing North and South America, in gold, in the center. The world is placed on the top of a gold anchor, with the top and bottom of the anchor being visible. Sitting on top of the globe is a gold eagle. Below the world the words United States Marine Corps are written in scarlet on a white or grey scroll, which is outlined in gold.

The Marine emblem of the eagle, globe and anchor represents distant service under the American eagle by air, land and sea, representing America’s interests “in every clime and place.” The symbol was adopted in 1868.

As with most US military flags the Marine Corps flag comes in two versions; one for indoor/parade use and one for outdoor use. The flags are similar, but the indoor flag has a gold border around its edges.

The Marine Corps is a part of the Department of the Navy, therefore it isn’t a part of the US Navy, however they work closely together. The Marine Corps, like other US military divisions, often places streamers on its flags representing the battle history of the Corps.

The original US Army flag was made of white silk and measured 4 feet 4 inches by 5 feet 6 inches. The flag featured the national colors of red white and blue with the official war seal, in blue, in the center of it. Beneath the seal the words “United States Army” are written in white, on a scarlet scroll, and the year 1775 is written in blue below the scroll. The original War Office seal was authorized by the Continental Congress on May 8, 1779.

The US Army flag seal features a cannon in front of a drum with two drumsticks; below the cannon there are three cannon balls, a mortar on a trunion and below the mortar two powder flasks. In the center of the US Army flag seal is a Roman breastplate over a jupon (leather jacket). Above the breastplate rises a plain sword with the pommel and guard supporting a Phrygin cap between an esponton (pike). It has a organizational color on one side and a musket with a fixed bayonet and the national color on the other side. Above is a rattlesnake holding in its mouth a scroll inscribed, ‘This We’ll Defend.’

The Phrygian cap is the traditional symbol of liberty.

The flag was designed by the Heraldic Branch Office of Research and Engineering, Office of The Quartermaster General. Work on the flag began in July 1955, when the Secretary of the Army expressed a desire for a flag representing the army. Several flags were designed and this one was selected by Secretary of the War Brucker. The flag that Vice President Nixon presented to Secretary Brucker was hand embroidered by women needle workers at the Philadelphia Quartermaster Depot.

The flag has 175 streamers, each 2 3/4 inches wide and 4 feet long, attached to the staff. Embroidered on each streamer is the year (s) of each campaign. The streamers represent the number of campaigns the US Army has fought during the country’s history. However, the campaign in Iraq is not included in the 175 number. The idea of using streamers originated in the US Civil War. The practice was stopped in 1890 and revived in 1921.

Half-mast is defined as half the distance from the top of a flagpole to the bottom. Flying a flag at half-mast is a sign of mourning.

When a flag is flown at half-mast, it should be raised to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-mast position to show respect for the dead person. When retiring the flag at the end of the day, this procedure should be repeated. If your flag is on an outrigger flagpole or mounted on a wall and cannot be flown at half-mast, it is appropriate to tie a black mourning ribbon above the flag.

Flags can only be flown at half-mast to represent the death of an important government official. In order to fly it half-mast for any other reason, the President must give his approval.

From the Flag Code:

On Memorial Day, The flag should be displayed at half-mast until noon only, then raised to the top of the staff. By order of the President, the flag shall be flown at half-mast upon the death of principal figures of the US government and the Governor of the State, territory, or possession, as a mark of respect to their memory. In the event of the death of other officials or foreign dignitaries, the flag is to be displayed at half-mast according to Presidential instructions or orders, or in accordance with recognized customs or practices not inconsistent with law. In the event of the death of a present or former official of the government of any State, territory, or possession, of the US, the Governor of that State may proclaim that the National flag shall be flown at half-mast.

The gun salute system of the United States has changed considerably over the years. In 1810, the “national salute” was defined by the War Department as equal to the number of states in the Union–at that time 17. This salute was fired by all U.S. military installations at 1:00 p.m. (later at noon) on Independence Day. The President also received a salute equal to the number of states whenever he visited a military installation.

In 1842, the Presidential salute was formally established at 21 guns. In 1890, regulations designated the “national salute” as 21 guns and redesignated the traditional Independence Day salute, the “Salute to the Union,” equal to the number of states. Fifty guns are also fired on all military installations equipped to do so at the close of the day of the funeral of a President, ex-President, or President-elect.

Today the national salute of 21 guns is fired in honor of a national flag, the sovereign or chief of state of a foreign nation, a member of a reigning royal family, and the President, ex-President and President-elect of the United States. It is also fired at noon of the day of the funeral of a President, ex-President, or President-elect.

Gun salutes are also rendered to other military and civilian leaders of this and other nations. The number of guns is based on their protocol rank. These salutes are always in odd numbers.

Flags are provided for burial services of service members and veterans. The flag for one who dies on active duty is provided by one’s branch of service. Flags for other veterans are provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The flag is presented to the next of kin at the end of the funeral, usually by the military chaplain. If there is no next of kin present, the flag may be presented to the veteran’s close friend or associate if requested. You may want to place the flag in a flag case to keep it preserved and to display it properly.

The flags that have draped the caskets of the Unknown Soldiers are on display in the Memorial Display Room of the Memorial Amphitheater.

Francis Scott Key, a young poet-lawyer, witnessed the bombardment of Fort McHenry while under British guard on an American truce ship in the Patapsco River. Seeing his country’s flag still flying over the Fort the next morning, he was moved to pen these immortal lines.

Fort McHenry is located in Baltimore, Maryland. This low citadel overlooks the entrance to Baltimore harbor and it is where the Americans defended the city against British land and naval attack on September 13-14 in 1814. It was during this battle that Francis Scott Key began the draft to “The Star-Spangled Banner” after seeing the flag still flying after a day and night of bombardment.

The fort continued in active military service for nearly a century after the battle but changing technology eventually made it obsolete as a coastal defense system. Today the 43-acre fort is preserved as a national monument and historic shrine. The property is managed by the National Park Service and the flag is flown over the fort 24 hours a day.

Memorial Day is coming up this month. During this holiday many festivities across the country will occur. What started as a day to honor those who died during service in the military forces has evolved to a day in which we honor anyone close to us who has passed away.

It is on this day that many families will visit cemeteries to pay their respects to a loved one. When visiting a loved one’s grave, it is the grave marker that serves as a focal point and a lasting tribute when we communicate our thoughts and feelings to that person. If the grave space has not yet been marked with a grave marker, now is the time to make plans to order one.

Another focal point on Memorial Day, is the Cemetery Marking Flag that is placed by the headstone.