Clarksville High School Color Guard post The Colors during Memorial Day Candlelight Vigil

Recently our city and county mayors announced plans to fly the national flag at half-staff on a monthly basis. They proposed to do this in honor of our fallen soldiers. The gesture certainly strikes an undeniably appealing accord. It is, without a doubt, noble in its initiative.

It would unquestionably be a notable, emotional salute to our military personnel, especially in light of the fact that soldiers from Fort Campbell and the 101st Airborne Division are facing daily peril in the Iraq and Afghanistan war theaters.

However, upon closer review, there is cause for reconsideration of this action. The flying of our nation’s flag is governed by specific and strict protocols that must be observed.

Navy Honor Detail stands at Turner McCullough Sr. interment, a WWII Navy veteran.

The U. S. Flag Code controls the care, display, handling and disposal of the Flag of the United States. It contains specific and particular procedures for the flying of the nation’s symbol and the controls over how and when it may be flown.

The U.S. Code, Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 175 states:

• (m) …On Memorial Day the flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon only, then raised to the top of the staff. By order of the President, the flag shall be flown at half-staff upon the death of principal figures of the United States Government and the Governor of a 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-staff 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 United States, the Governor of that State, territory, or possession may proclaim that the National flag shall be flown at half-staff. The flag shall be flown at half-staff thirty days from the death of the President or a former President; ten days from the day of death of the Vice President, the Chief Justice or a retired Chief Justice of the United States, or the Speaker of the House of Representatives; from the day of death until interment of an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, a Secretary of an executive or military department, a former Vice President, or the Governor of a State, territory, or possession; and on the day of death and the following day for a Member of Congress.

As used in this subsection -

• (1) the term ‘half-staff’ means the position of the flag when it is one-half the distance between the top and bottom of the staff;
• (2) the term ‘executive or military department’ means any agency listed under sections 101 and 102 of title 5; and
• (3) the term ‘Member of Congress’ means a Senator, a Representative, a Delegate, or the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico.

It should be hoped that our local leaders have contacted the White House, or short of that, our elected federal representatives, to request such presidential orders for this monthly flag salute. None would fault the honoring of our fallen wartime service members. Perhaps a letter writing campaign to Rep. Marsha Blackburn, Rep. John Tanner, Senator Lamar Alexander and Senator Bob Corker could quickly move this initiative forward. Citizens should request their assistance in securing a presidential order authorizing our community to fly the flag at half-staff once a month for the duration of Middle East hostilities or the return of the 101st Airborne Division, whichever comes first. VFW and DAV chapters and other veterans organizations and groups could lead the way in contacting these legislators to ‘greenlight’ this enterprise. However without such presidential approval, the initiative should be held in abeyance. Respect for the laws of the land is the highest honor we, as a community, can show our fallen servicemembers. That, and exercising our right to vote

Upon review, the public must take note that this community also has an Eternal Flame Memorial, dedicated to those same fallen soldiers, located on Public Square. Sadly, the ‘Eternal Flame’ seems to spend most of its time unlit, and is only consistently burning during city-sponsored festivals. It has been noticeably unlit during the federal holidays of Memorial Day, Flag Day, the Fourth of July, Labor Day and Veterans Day. It has even remained unlit on Armistice Day. This flag gesture may be viewed as a more economical action. Providing proper protocols and procedures are followed, the community must hope that this enterprise receives better follow-thru than our Pillar of Clouds, Pillar of Fire’s ‘Eternal Flame’ has encountered.

To Contact Tennessee Federal Legislators:

US Rep. Marsha Blackburn: Clarksville Office- 1850 Memorial Drive, 37043; Phone: 931-503-0391; Washington D.C. Office- 509 Cannon Bldg, Washington, D.C., 20515.

US Rep. John Tanner: Union City Office- P.O. Box 629, Union City, Tennessee 38281
Phone: (731) 885-7070, Fax: (731) 885-7094; Washington D.C. Office- 1226 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20515-4208, Phone: (202) 225-4714, Fax: (202) 225-1765

US Senator Lamar Alexander: Nashville Office- 3322 West End Avenue, Suite 120; Nashville, Tennessee 37203; Phone: (615) 736-5129, ; Fax: (615) 269-4803; Washington, D.C.- 455 Dirksen Senate Office Building, District of Columbia 20510-4204; Phone: (202) 224-4944, Fax: (202) 228-3398

US Senator Bob Corker: Chattanooga Office- 10 West MLK Boulevard, 6th Floor, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37402, Phone: (423) 756-2757, Fax: (423) 756-5313; Washington, D.C.- 185 Dirksen Senate Office Building, District of Columbia 20510-4205; Phone: (202) 224-3344, Fax: (202) 228-0566

As the Independence Day weekend moves on, the smoke from fireworks has dissipated and the residue from our recent fireworks show have been cleared away. The traffic jams cleared up, and we each go on our merry way. Yes, the city’s celebration was quite a sight. And as noted in previous coverage here, the Pillar of Cloud, Pillar of Fire Eternal Flame Memorial was burning bright and strong at 11:30PM on July 3rd. The flags at City Hall were still sadly un-illuminated but the eternal flame did shine for that night. Hallelujah!!!

Alas, it was too good to last. It was not burning during the daylight hours on our nation’s birthday, and when the evening of July 4th dawned upon us the flame was still NOWHERE TO BE SEEN. It was AWOL again! We took date stamped photographs to verify this.

Are our public officials really committed to keeping our pledge to light the flame, and in doing so honoring our fallen military personnel? Or is this just a “showpiece” there only to be utilized during special promotions and city events?

The Eternal Flame was kept lit for the entire run of ‘Rivers and Spires.” Every day and night it was there. But the flame ceased burning a mere three days following the close of that festival. It stayed that way until two weeks before Memorial Day.

But strangely the flame was once again unlit for the entire Memorial Day weekend. As the Vietnam Veterans Association held their candlelight vigil on Public Square that Sunday, the absence of that flame was conspicuously felt as the names of Tennessee’s MIA were called off. Apparently their sacrifice did not warrant the flame. It was only veterans and MIA service members, after all.

All of last week, workmen were busy installing a new eight or new nine foot diameter water fountain on Public Square. (This is not the fountain that is still planned for location on Legion street). It became functional last Thursday. Thursday night the water was freely flowing, and the interior lights were shining brightly. It is admittedly a lovely sight. Too bad the Eternal Flame couldn’t have been blessed with the same good fortune. It has remained unremarked in the darkness at the other end of Public Square. while the fountain has remained fully functional every day and night since it was turned on.

Recent coverage on Clarksville Online has highlighted the glaring failure of many local government and business entities to properly illuminate our national flag during the hours of darkness. Once again our own City Hall is in violation with two towering flag poles, front and rear, each over thirty feet tall. Neither of which are properly illuminated at night. Perhaps there is a pattern at work here; one of a blatant disregard for our nation’s flag, and for a memorial honoring our serving soldier’s and military fallen.

Despite all our public officials pretty speeches and their placing big yellow ribbons on the sides of our city’s buildings, could it be that deep inside we really just don’t care? Maybe Clarksville’s true claim to the title of “Tennessee’s Top Spot” is for our elected officials disrespect for our nation and the sacrifice of it’s soldiers. You be the judge.

We at Clarksville Online have tried over and over again to get our elected officials to do something about keeping the flame lit, with no luck. If each of you take a moment to email or call our elected officials and tell them to light the flame, and keep it lit! Perhaps at long last they will get the message! Light the flame already! Because if not we will hold them to account the next time they are up for re-election!

June 14 is Flag Day. This day celebrates the 1777 adoption of the official U.S. flag. Many people and businesses display the flag as a gesture of respect, patriotism, devotion and community spirit. All admirable attributes to be sure. To be sure your display is within guidelines, here are a few helpful excerpts from the Flag Code, United States Code Title 4 Chapter 1:

1. It is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed twenty-four hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.
2. The flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.
3. The flag should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement, except when an all-weather flag is displayed.
4. The flag should be displayed on all days, especially on
   • New Year’s Day, January 1
   • Inauguration Day, January 20
   • Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, third Monday in January
   • Lincoln’s Birthday, February 12
   • Washington’s Birthday, third Monday in February
   • Easter Sunday (variable)
   • Mother’s Day, second Sunday in May
   • Armed Forces Day, third Saturday in May
   • Memorial Day (half-staff until noon), the last Monday in May
   • Flag Day, June 14
   • Independence Day, July 4
   • Labor Day, first Monday in September
   • Constitution Day, September 17
   • Columbus Day, second Monday in October
   • Navy Day, October 27
   • Veterans Day, November 11
   • Thanksgiving Day, fourth Thursday in November
   • Christmas Day, December 25
   • and such other days as may be proclaimed by the President of the United States
   • the birthdays of States (date of admission)
   • and on State holidays.
5. The flag should be displayed daily on or near the main administration building of every public institution.
6. The flag should be displayed in or near every polling place on election days.
7. The flag should be displayed during school days in or near every schoolhouse.

§8. Respect for flag

No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America; the flag should not be dipped to any person or thing. Regimental colors, State flags, and organization or institutional flags are to be dipped as a mark of honor.

1. The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.
2. The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise.
3. The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free.
4. The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free. Bunting of blue, white, and red, always arranged with the blue above, the white in the middle, and the red below, should be used for covering a speaker’s desk, draping the front of the platform, and for decoration in general.
5. The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way.
6. The flag should never be used as a covering for a ceiling.
7. The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature.
8. The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
9. The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. It should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown.
10. No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.
11. The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning. {Emphasis added.]

Additional Information:

Is it proper to wash a soiled flag? May I mend a torn flag?

Yes. If a flag is torn, it can be repaired, preferably by a professional or someone skilled in mending. If it is dirty, it can be washed, preferably by hand with a mild soap. If it is faded or tattered beyond repair, or dirty beyond cleaning, then it is time to replace the flag.

Many dry cleaners will clean your flag at no cost. Ask your local cleaner their policy on cleaning flags.

My flag is old and ready to be retired. What should I do?