Veteran’s Corner

Community Contributed

Column by Jesse Church

Hello veterans, old Jesse here with all the veterans’ news and upcoming events. Tuesday, June 14 is Flag Day, and I was talking with Commander George Harada of VFW Post 3870 who was telling me that most people don’t know the proper way to display our flag. Here are some basic rules to follow:
•    The federal flag code says the universal custom is to display the U.S. flag from sunrise to sunset on buildings and stationary flagstaffs, but for patriotic effect the flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.
•    The U.S. flag should not be displayed when weather is inclement, except when an all-weather flag is displayed.
•    When displaying a flag on the same staff, the U.S. flag goes at the peak, above any other flag; when grouped, the U.S. flag goes to the right, and flags of other nations are flown at the same height.
•    When marching, the U.S. flag goes to the marcher’s right (observer’s left).
•    When displayed with a speaker’s platform, it must be above and behind the speaker; if mounted on a staff it is placed on the speaker’s right
•    The U.S. flag should never be used as a decoration, use bunting with the blue on top, followed by white then red.
•    All persons present in uniform should render the military salute, members of the armed forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute, all other persons present should face the flag and stand attention with their right hand over the heart, or if applicable, remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, hand over the heart.
•    On special days, the flag may be flown at half-staff until noon and then raised.

The following are the proper ways to dispose of old, worn flags.
•    The flag should be folded in its customary manner.
•    It is important that the fire be fairly large and of sufficient intensity to ensure complete burning of the flag. (make sure you are conforming to the local/state fire codes or ordinances)
•    Place the flag on the fire, the individuals can come to attention and have a brief period of silent reflection
•    After the flag is completely consumed, the fire should then be safely extinguished and the ashes buried

On June 22, 1942 President Franklin D. Roosevelt approved House Joint Resolution 303 codifying the existing customs and rules governing the display and use of the United States flag by civilians. Amendments were approved on December 22, 1942. The law included provisions of the code adopted by the National Flag Conference, held in Washington D.C. on June 14, 1923, with certain amendments and additions. The code was reenacted, with minor amendments as part of the bicentennial celebration. In the 105th Congress, the flag code was removed from title 36 of the United States Code and recodified as part of title 4. If you have any questions or want more information regarding the code, please contact me
The following are some things you cannot do with U.S. flag: Do not let the flag touch the ground; do not fly the flag upside down unless there is an emergency; do not carry the flag flat or carry things in it; do not use the flag as clothing; do not store the flag where it can get dirty; do not use the flag as a cover; do not fasten the flag or tie it back, always let it fall free; do not draw on the flag or otherwise mark it.

I would like to remind veterans that John Candello, the VA service officer, will be at the Office of the Hawaiian Affairs in Kaunakakai the first two Thursdays of June (2 and 9) from 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. by appointment. For appointments, please call 553-3611, John can help with all VA matters. Also, the Molokai Veterans Caring for Veterans have a few shirts for sale. If you would like one call the Veterans Center at 553-8387.

If anyone has any news, stories or just wants to talk about their experiences while in service of this great country, give old Jesse a call at 553-3323, I’d love to hear from you. A big mahalo to all our veterans, and the people of Molokai, you’re the best, I love you all.