“The American flag, Old Glory, standing tall and flying free over American soil for 228 years, is the symbol of our beloved country. It is recognized from near and afar, and many lives have been lost defending it.” – Jeff Miller. Jeff Miller is a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives, representing Florida’s 1st Congressional District from 2001 to 2017.
History of Old Glory
The Second Continental Congress adopted the American Flag on June 14, 1777. To this day, homeowners across our nation patriotically wave Old Glory to celebrate American freedom. The nickname of Old Glory came from a shipmaster from Massachusetts named Captain William Driver. Before his voyage to rescue mutineers, his mother made him a beautiful 24-star American flag. As the legend tells, when Captain Driver raised his flag up to the main mast, he lifted his hat and proclaimed, “Old Glory!” The nickname for the flag became quite popular, and shortly after, the Stars and Stripes of the flag came to be known as Old Glory on many battlefields.
Show Patriotism
There is no better way to show patriotism than displaying the American Flag at your home. As Florida homeowner, Jeff Miller said, “It is the symbol of our beloved country.” We would like to share several tips for honoring the American flag on your own Florida home, whether it’s Flag Day, Independence Day, or one of the other 363 days of the year. Give Old Glory the respect and recognition she deserves.
Installation
Planning to mount a flag to the side of your home? Here’s how to properly and safely complete the installation:
- Position the bracket against your house (make sure the area of flag placement won’t touch anything beneath it) and mark the screw holes using a drill bit, predrill a hole in the desired area. For brick siding, use a masonry bit. Make sure you drill into the brick, not the mortar.
- Fill each hole with caulk, and attach the bracket with screws. If screws didn’t come with your flag, 1 1/4-inch stainless steel screws should do the trick. For brick siding, insert plastic or stainless steel anchors before screwing the bracket into place.
- Place the flag firmly into the bracket.
- Make sure the flag sits firmly upright and is not leaning or touching anything.
Timing
Fly your flag sunrise to sunset, especially on holidays such as Flag Day (June 14) and Independence Day (July 4). Due to the Flag Code , you may display your flag 24 hours with proper illumination during dark hours. The American flag may be flown in inclement weather as long as it is made of all-weather material, such as nylon or any other non-absorbent material.
Positioning
The flag may be hung vertically on a wall, window, roof eave, or any other structural overhang. The Union (blue) should always be to the observer’s upper left. No part of the flag should ever touch the ground. Position the flag high enough to keep it out of the reach of young children, who may not know how to honor and respect the flag.
Maintenance
The flag should always be clean and without tears, rips or shredding. If your flag gets tattered by the wind or rain, mend it shortly after. If the flag becomes so tattered that it no longer serves as a symbol of the United States, it should be taken down out of respect. Routinely check your flag’s bracket to make sure it is still securely attached to your home. If your flag seems to be looking dirty or stained it is only appropriate to clean it. Here are some tips on how to wash and remove stains from your flag properly.
How to Store your Flag
If you seem to be storing your flag for most of the year you want to make sure you are preserving Old Glory. Keep dust and dirt away from your flag. You also want to store your flag in a dark area, sunlight and bright lights can fade the colors and break down the fabric fibers within your flag. Avoid storing it in attics and basements due to temperature and humidity. As a Florida homeowner, you are well aware that attics can reach extreme temperatures.