Download for the American Flag?

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.
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
 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.
Fly, Lower, And Gather
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 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.
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
US flag resemble a triangle?
To represent the Minute Man’s
Hat worn by George Washington’s
Troops
What color should never be seen
when the US flag is properly
folded?
Red
What does the 3rd fold of the
US flag represent?
The Veteran who has served his/her
country
How many rows of stars are
on the US flag?
9
Who wrote the Pledge of
Allegiance and in what year?
Francis Bellamy, 1892
What significance does the year
1818 have on the US flag?
Congress enacted the law to keep the
original 13 stripes and add stars for
every state
When a state is admitted into the
Union, when is the star added to
the flag?
On the following 4th of July
Which U.S. President enacted
Congress to create Flag Day?
Harry Truman
What year was Flag Day
created and what month
and day is it celebrated?
1949….June 14th
In what year did Congress pass the Flag
Act, which established an official flag for
our nation?
1777
It is widely believed that Betsy Ross
made the first American flag.
In what year was the first American
flag made?
1776
When a flag is so worn that it is
no longer fit to serve as a symbol
of our country, what should be
done?
After cutting out the field (separate the
stars and stripes), the flag should be
burned in a dignified manner with the
field (stars) on top.
What publication states the
correct use and display of the
US flag?
Public Law 94-344 and Public Law 829
What is the height of an official flagpole?
50 feet
Where is the only place a US flag
can be displayed at half mast?
A ship at sea
(half-staff is the correct term for elsewhere)
What is the ornament (ball) on
top of an official flagpole
called?
A truck
What is legend behind the
contents of the ornament on top
of the flagpole?
Legend says that the truck contains 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 time at the
enemy, use the razor blade to cut the field out
(separate the stars and stripes), and use the
match to burn the flag with the field (stars) on
top. We would rather burn our flag rather than
surrender it to the enemy.
What is the proper salute to the US
flag by a civilian?
Hand over the heart
How is the US flag draped over a coffin?
With the union, or stars, draped
over the heart
Where in America is the U.S. flag
flown with no place of honor?
The United Nations building
What do the stars on the American flag
represent?
Each star represents a state
When is it appropriate to fly the
flag at half-staff?
Upon the death of principal figures of the
United States Government and other
officials according to presidential orders,
as a mark of respect to their memory
How many folds are there in a
properly folded U.S. flag?
12
What year was the U.S. flag
first depicted on the postage
stamp?
1869
What term is used for raising
the flag (briskly)?
Revellie
What is the term for lowering the
flag (ceremoniously)?
Retreat
The American flag should NEVER
touch the Ground, 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 Sept. 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 flying a group of flags, the U.S.
first to be raised and
flag should be the ______________
last to be lowered .
the _______________
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
illuminate the
be taken to properly _________
flag.
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 a new flag is flown
each day. The office of the President of
the United States gifts these certified flags
to deserving organizations or individuals.
On what holiday is the American flag
supposed to fly at half-staff until noon?
Memorial Day
What European nation was the first
to officially salute the new U.S.
flag? What year?
France, 1777
When did the US Army begin flying the
American flag?
In 1834. Up until that time the U.S.
Navy was the only branch of the
military to do so because the
nationality of ships at sea was needed.
When was “Stars and Stripes Forever”
written and by whom?
1897, John Phillip Sousa
Who made the flag that flew over Fort
McHenry, that would later inspire Francis
Scott Key to write “The Star Spangled
Banner?
Seamstress Mary Pickersgill. The flag
weighed more than 200 pounds and was
42 feet by 30 feet. It required more than
400 yards of cloth to complete.
Why does a military rifle
salute at a funeral equal 21
shots?
The digits in the number 1776
(the year the first American Flag was made)
add up to 21
Under what circumstance is it acceptable
to fly the flag upside down?
As a sign of distress
When a flag is being flown at half staff,
raised to its peak when
it should first be _______________
hoisted. This should be done again
before the flag is lowered for the day.
When displayed with other non-national
flags, The flag of the United States of
America should be displayed at the
center and highest point of the group
________________________________.
Awards Ceremony
Each participating school will conduct an awards
ceremony at the end of the year.
Students will receive a Citizenship Award.
Please direct all inquiries to:
Jim Rodriguez
[email protected]
Fly, Lower, And, Gather
2012-2013
Participating Schools
Waxahachie High Schools
Waxahachie Ninth Grade Academy
South Oak Cliff High School, Dallas, TX
John Paul II Catholic High School, New Braunfels, TX
Leadership Cadet Corps(LCC) Middle Schools, Dallas, ISD
Pearl C. Anderson Middle School
T.W. Browne Middle School
E.B. Comstock Middle School
T.A. Edison Middle School
Harold W. Lang Middle School
J.L. Long Middle School
Benjamin Franklin Middle School
W.E. Greiner Middle School
Robert T. Hill Middle School
John B. Hood Middle School
Raul Quintanilla, Sr. Middle School
O.W. Holmes Middle School
Francisco Medrano Middle School
Thomas C. Marsh Middle School
Boude Storey Middle School
L.V. Stockard Middle School
Seagoville Middle School
Alex Spence Middle School
Sam Tasby Middle School
E.D. Walker Middle School
Middle Schools:
Hillsboro Junior High School, Hillsboro, TX
Harry S. Truman Middle School, Grand Prairie, TX
T.J. Rusk Middle School
Waxahachie ISD
Elementary Schools:
Frank D. Moates Elementary School, Glenn Heights, TX
Ruby Young Elementary, DeSoto, TX
G.W. Carver Elementary School, Garland, TX
Northside Elementary School, Waxahachie, TX
Margaret L. Felty Elementary School, Waxahachie, TX
Naomi Press Elementary School, McKinney, TX
Litchfield Elementary School, AZ
Waxahachie ISD
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F.L.A.G. Program
2013 - 2014 Board of Directors:
President & Founder
Jim Rodriguez, MSgt, USAF, Ret.
Vice President
Jose Rivera, Veteran, US Army
Secretary
Jennifer Ivey, BB&T
Treasurer
Jerry Frazier, CPA
Director of Training/Dallas ISD
Dave Bates, T.C. Marsh Middle School
Assistant Director for Waxahachie Schools
Deborah Bell, Dallas County Deputy Sheriff
F.L.A.G. Program
2013 - 2014 Board of Directors:
Director/ Middle Schools
Jennifer Ivey, BB&T
Director/High Schools
Orlando Montan, Towne Park
Director of Waxahachie Schools/Flag Donations
Stuart Stephenson, Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society
Director of Arizona Schools
Giovanna Guzman, Litchfield Elementary School, AZ
Director of DeSoto Schools
Cristy Palmer, Moates Elementary School
Director of New Braunfels Schools
Bianca Pitman, Director of Fine Arts
John Paul II Catholic School, New Braunfels, TX
F.L.A.G. Program
Community Partners
2013-2014
Moreno Printing
Dallas Company, US Army Recruiting
Texas Air National Guard, Dallas, TX
Ellis County Young Marines
Woodmen of the World, Chapter 0046
South Oak Cliff High School, AOIT
American Legion, Post 81
Air Force Sergeants Association, Chapter 1073
Manny’s Mexican Restaurant, Avondale, AZ.
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