"The Star-spangled Banner" is recommended for universal recognition as the national anthem. In pledging allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, the approved practice in schools, which is suitable also for civilian adults, is as follows: Standing with the right hand over the heart, all repeat together the following pledge: "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands; one nation indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." At the words, "to the flag," the right hand is extended, palm upward, toward the flag, and this position is held until the end, when the hand, after the words, "justice for all," drops to the side. However, civilian adults will always show full respect to the flag when the pledge is being given by merely standing at attention, men removing the headdress. Persons in uniform should render the right hand salute. Cautions 1. Do not permit disrespect to be shown to the flag of the United States of America. 2. Do not dip the flag of the United States of America to any person or any thing. The regimental colors, State flag, organization or institutional flag will render this honor. 3. Do not display the flag of the United States of America with the union down except as a signal of distress. 4. Do not place any flag or pennant above or, if on the same level, to the right of the flag of the United States. 5. Do not let the flag touch the ground or the floor or trail in the water. 6. Do not place any object or emblem of any kind on or above the flag of the United States of America. 7. Do not use the flag as drapery in any form whatsoever. Use bunting of blue, white, and red. 8. Do not fasten the flag in such manner as will permit it to be easily torn. 9. Do not drape the flag over the hood, top, sides, or back of a vehicle, or of a railway train or boat. When the flag is displayed on a motor car, the staff should be affixed firmly to the chassis, or clamped to the radiator cap. 10. Do not display the flag on a float in a parade except from a staff. 11. Do not use the flag as a covering for a ceiling. 12. Do not carry the flag flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free. 13. Do not use the flag as a portion of a costume or of an athletic uniform. Do not embroider it on cushions or handkerchiefs, or print it on paper napkins or boxes. 14. Do not put lettering of any kind on the flag. 15. Do not use the flag in any form of advertising or fasten any advertising to a pole from which the flag is flown. 16. Do not display, use, or store the flag in such a manner as will permit it to be easily soiled or damaged. It is quite natural, that no code governing the etiquette of the Flag of the United States of America could be complete without a national anthem; yet the Congress of the United States have not adopted one, the army and navy have long used the Starspangled Banner as such and it is universally recognized as such throughout the entire world. President Harding, when addressing the first National Flag Conference on Flag Day, June 14, 1923, said in part: "I would like to go a step further and insist upon Americans being able to sing "The Starspangled Banner.' I have noted audiences singing— I should say, trying to sing—the American National air, but outside of about two per cent they are only mumbling or pretending to sing. I would like to have the spirit of America show itself in song. I hope you will insist upon some suitable provision to that end in your code." The text of the Star-spangled Banner as written by Francis Scott Key is as follows: THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER O say, can you see by the dawn's early light What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming, Whose broad stripes, and bright stars, through the perilous fight O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket's red glare, the bomb bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there, O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave? On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep, Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence re poses, What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep, As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses ? Now it catches the gleam of the morning first beam, In full glory reflected now shines in the stream, 'Tis the star-spangled banner-O long may it wave, O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave! And where is that band who so vauntingly swore, That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion A home and a country should leave us no more? Their blood has wash'd out their foul footstep's pollution. No refuge could save the hireling or slave From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave, And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave. O, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand Between their lov'd home and the war's desolation! Blest with vict'ry and peace may the heav'n rescued land Praise the power that hath made and preserved us a nation! Then conquer we must when our cause it is just, And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave. The National hymn America, often referred to as My Country, 'Tis of Thee, was written by Rev. Samuel F. Smith, in 1832. The melody is ascribed to Henry Carey, 1742, and is identical with that of God Save the King, the National anthem of England. It was popular in France from 1775, and became national in Denmark, Germany and Prussia. America is often played or sung in patriotic societies and elsewhere, and is often rendered the same honors as the Star-spangled Banner; whether this is because of many people believing it to be the National Anthem of the United States, or whether they mistake it for England's National Anthem, is not known. No doubt it is both. However, the writer believes the former is the reason in a majority of the cases. The words of this wonderful work are as follows: |