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F.L.A.G.
Fly, Lower, And, Gather
Mission Statement:
The F.L.A.G. Program was created to instill pride and respect
among students towards the United States and State Flag.
Students will be held accountable for the proper Flying,
Lowering, And Gathering of the United States and State Flag
during the school year. Students who participate in this
program will be recognized with a Citizenship Award presented
by the sponsors of the F.L.A.G. Program. This will be the model
for all school districts to duplicate and emulate.
How the F.L.A.G. Evolved:
Every Fall across America a new school year
begins. In many of these schools a tradition
that began in the late 1800’s of paying
homage to the American flag continues. On
October 21, 1892, children in schools across
the nation participated in an event to
celebrate the 400th anniversary of
Christopher Columbus’s landing in North
America. Among the patriotic activities of
the day the ritual of citing the Pledge of
Allegiance to the American flag began.
Though today we often still see this
tradition, steeped in rich, prideful history,
we also have come to find that the
significance and history of our flag has lost
its luster in many facets. The power of one
is a term we’ve all heard, but few truly
believe one person can make a difference.
The birth of the F.L.A.G. Program is such a
case. In the Fall of 2010, Jim Rodriguez was
doing what most parents were doing,
taking his daughter to school. Day after
day as Jim dropped her off he could not
help but notice the American flag, being
raised in a manner not befitting of this
national treasure.
Fly, Lower, And, Gather
The school employee assigned to the task was doing his duties to the best of
his knowledge and ability. But as a retired veteran of the United States Air
Force Jim couldn’t help but shudder seeing the flag rolled up, carried casually
under one’s arm, before securing it to the flag pole to be raised for the day.
No one noticed, no one paused to pay their respect, it had become just a
routine of the day. Jim took action. He called the principal of the school and
proposed an idea to engage the students in restoring the tradition, teaching
them the history, the etiquette and proper protocol surrounding the American
flag. He enlisted the services of SSgt. Jose Rivera, a United States Army
Recruiter and together they launched the first class of the F.L.A.G. Program.
The support they received from Waxahachie ISD, their student council, and
administrative staff helped to bring this dream to reality. We feel it is
significant to remember the history of our American flag, to instill patriotism
and pride back into our schools and never forget those who fight for our
freedom, and this nation. Together, we pledge allegiance to this grand flag,
for which it stands.
The F.L.A.G. Program
 A Teacher Representative will assist in
planning, organizing, coordinating, directing,
and controlling this program.
 The Board of Directors will communicate,
educate, motivate, and evaluate the
program’s objectives to students.
 Students will be challenged to recruit
volunteers that will participate in the F.L.A.G.
Program.
 Volunteers will be taught the proper
procedures of the F.L.A.G. Program and be
scheduled to perform this duty throughout
the school year.
Proper Display of the Flag
The flag should be displayed from sunrise to sunset. If the flag
is displayed at night it should be illuminated. Never allow the
flag to touch the ground or the floor. When displayed on a wall
or window the blue field should be in the upper left corner. The
flag should be raised quickly and lowered ceremoniously. The
flag is often flown at half-staff to show respect for someone
who has died. When flown at half-staff, the flag should be
raised to the top for an instant and then lowered to the halfstaff position. The flag should also be raised to the top before it
is lowered at the end of the day.
F.L.A.G. Procedures
How to fold the Flag
STEP 1
To properly fold the Flag, begin by holding it waist-high
with another person so that its surface is parallel to the
ground.
STEP 2
Fold the lower half of the stripe section lengthwise over
the field of stars, holding the bottom and top edges
securely.
STEP 3
Fold the flag again lengthwise with the
blue field on the outside.
STEP 4
Make a triangular fold by bringing the striped corner of
the folded edge to meet the open (top) edge of the flag.
STEP 5
Turn the outer (end) point inward, parallel to the open
edge, to form a second triangle.
STEP 6
The triangular folding is continued until the entire length
of the flag is folded in this manner.
STEP 7
When the flag is completely folded, only a triangular
blue field of stars should be visible.
CURRICULUM
Question and Answer Style to be
implemented as ‘bell-ringers.’
What is Vexillology?
The study of flags
Why does a properly folded U.S.
flag resemble a triangle?
To represent the Minuteman hat
worn by George Washington’s troops
What color should never be seen when
the U.S. flag is properly folded?
Red
What does the 3rd fold of the U.S.
flag represent?
The veteran who has served
his or her country
How many rows of stars are on the
U.S. flag?
9
Who wrote the Pledge of Allegiance
and in what year?
Francis Bellamy, 1892
Why is the year 1818 significant in the
history of the U.S. flag?
Congress enacted a law to keep the original
13 stripes and add a star for
each new state.
When a state is admitted into the
Union, when is that state’s star added
to the flag?
On the following July 4th
Which U.S. President signed an
Act of Congress designating the
annual observance of National
Flag Day?
Harry Truman
What year did Congress pass
legislation designating National
Flag Day, and on what month
and day is it celebrated?
1949, June 14th
In what year did the Continental
Congress pass a resolution
establishing an official flag for our
nation?
1777
According to legend, who is
widely believed to have
made the first American flag?
Betsy Ross
In what year is Betsy Ross purported to
have made the first American flag?
1776
When a flag is in such condition that it
is no longer a fitting emblem for
display, what should be done with it?
It should be destroyed in a dignified way,
preferably by burning.
What official documentation prescribes
the customs and rules governing
the display and use of the flag of the
United States by civilians?
The U.S. Flag Code
(Title 4, Chapter 1 of the U.S. Code)
What is the height of an official flagpole
on a U.S. military base?
50 feet
Where is the only place a U.S. flag can
be flown at half-mast?
On a ship at sea (“half-staff” is the
term used on land)
What is the term used for the ball
ornament on top of a flagpole?
Truck
According to legend, what three items are
contained inside the truck (ball ornament)
on top of a flagpole, and why?
A bullet, a razor blade, and a match.
If in battle, and the military post is being
overrun, the last person is to use the bullet to
fire one last shot at the enemy, the razor blade
to cut the field out of the flag, and the match to
burn the flag. “We would rather burn our flag
than surrender it to the enemy.”
What is the proper way for a civilian to
salute the flag?
Right hand over the heart
What is the proper way to drape a
U.S. flag over a casket?
With the union at the head and
over the left shoulder
Where in America is the U.S. flag flown
with no place of honor?
The United Nations building (where it is flown
in a position of equal prominence or honor
with the flags of other nations)
What do the stars on the American flag
represent?
Each star represents one of the 50 states
When is it appropriate to fly the U.S.
flag at half-staff?
Upon the death of principal figures in the United
States Government and other officials according
to Presidential instructions or orders, and in some
cases according to orders from a State Governor
for the national flag to be flown
at half-staff in that state
How many triangular folds are there in a
properly folded U.S. flag?
12
What year was the U.S. flag first depicted
on a postage stamp?
1869
What term is used for raising the flag
briskly?
Reveille
What term is used for lowering the flag
ceremoniously?
Retreat
The American flag should never be allowed
to touch ________________.
anything beneath it, such as the ground, the
floor, water, or merchandise. (It should be
received by waiting hands and arms.)
How many stripes are on the American flag
and what do they represent?
13
The original 13 colonies:
 Delaware
 Pennsylvania
 New Jersey
 Georgia
 Connecticut
 Massachusetts
 Maryland
 South Carolina
 New Hampshire
 Virginia
 New York
 North Carolina
 Rhode Island
What is the official nickname for the
American Flag?
Old Glory
What inspired Francis Scott Key to
write the National Anthem?
During and after the Battle of Fort McHenry
(during the War of 1812), on September 14,
1814, the rockets’ red glare and the bombs
bursting in air revealed that our flag was still
flying!
What does the color red represent on
the U.S. Flag?
Hardiness and Valor
What does the color white represent on
the U.S. Flag?
Purity and Innocence
What does the color blue represent
on the U.S. Flag?
Vigilance
When flags of States, cities, or localities are
flown from adjacent staffs, when should
the flag of the United States be raised and
lowered in relation to the other flags?
Raised first, lowered last
What year did Congress officially
recognize the Pledge of Allegiance?
1942
What year were the words “under God”
added to the Pledge of Allegiance?
1954
When displayed at night, care should be
illuminate the flag.
taken to properly _________
When and where did the flag first fly
with 50 stars?
1960 over Fort McHenry in Baltimore, where
Francis Scott Key wrote “The Star-Spangled Banner”
Where is a brand new flag flown each day?
At the White House.
The Office of the President gifts these certified
flags to deserving organizations and individuals.
On what holiday should the American
flag be flown at half-staff until noon?
Memorial Day
What European nation was the first to
officially salute the new U.S. flag, and in
what year?
France, 1777
When did the U.S. Army begin flying the
American flag?
1834. Until that time, the U.S. Navy was the only
branch of the military to do so. National flags
were needed at sea in order to identify a ship’s
nationality.
When was “Stars and Stripes Forever”
written and by whom?
1896, John Philip Sousa
Who made the flag that flew over Fort
McHenry, that would later inspire
Francis Scott Key to write “The StarSpangled Banner”?
Mary Pickersgill
How big was the “Star-Spangled Banner”
flag that flew over Fort McHenry during
the battle that inspired the National
Anthem?
42 feet by 30 feet
Under what circumstance is it
acceptable to fly the flag upside down?
As a signal of dire distress in instances
of extreme danger to life or property
When a flag is to be flown at half-staff, it
raised to its peak when
should first be _______________
hoisted. This should be done again
before the flag is lowered for the day.
When displayed with other non-national
flags, where should the flag of the
United States of America be displayed?
At the center and highest point of the group
The Pledge of Allegiance
I pledge allegiance to the Flag
of the United States of America,
and to the Republic for which it stands,
one Nation under God, indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all.
Written by Francis Bellamy, 1892
Columbus Day
Awards Ceremony
Each participating school will conduct an awards ceremony at
the end of the school year.
Students will receive a Citizenship Award.
Please direct all inquiries to:
Jim Rodriguez
[email protected]
2015-2016
Participating Schools
• The F.L.A.G. Program currently serves
students in Texas, Arizona, and Colorado.
• We will add schools in Kansas during the
2015-2016 school year.
Please visit the F.L.A.G. Program
website:
TheFlagProgram.org