Informative Speech On The American Flag

What did the flag ever do to you? Chances are, your answer is nothing. So why don’t some of us, being Americans, show it the respect it deserves? As group commander of my AFJROTC unit in high school, I learned a lot about the flag and the courtesies that go along with it. The flag is rooted in symbolism, has a proper way pledge it, and has many “rules” that should be followed when addressing it. Beginning with symbolism, the current version of the American flag has 13 stripes, alternating red and white, and 50 stars upon a blue union. (“The United States Flag,” 2015) The flag as we know it today consists of “seven red and six white stripes, with the red stripes at top and bottom.” (“The United States Flag,” 2015) “The union of navy blue fills the upper left quarter from the top to the lower edge of the fourth red stripe. The stars have one point up and are in nine horizontal rows.” (“The United States Flag,” 2015) The 13 stripes represent the 13 original colonies and the 50 stars represent each state. (“The United

Title 4 of the United States Code States that the pledge of allegiance should be delivered “by standing at attention and facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. When not in uniform men should remove any non-religious headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute.” (“TITLE 4—FLAG AND SEAL”) Cornell University of Law School Published Title 36 of the US Code Section 301 which states that the same actions should be followed during the playing of the national anthem, for the full duration of the song when the flag is displayed. (“36 U.S. Code”) When it’s not displayed, “all present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed.” (“36 U.S.