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Hege Library & Learning Technologies
Statement on U.S. Flag and National Anthem
The following statement outlines EMU’s position on the flying of the U.S. flag and playing of the national anthem as part of campus-sponsored events. In the case of events on campus that are hosted by outside organizations (such as local high schools renting an EMU facility or NCAA post-season play) the flying of the flag and playing of the anthem is determined by those organizations hosting the event.
A question occasionally asked of personnel at Eastern Mennonite University is, “Why does the university not display the U.S. flag on campus or play the national anthem at athletic events?” This statement offers an explanation for this practice.
See full statement at http://www.emu.edu/president/flag-anthem/
Excerpts:
(h) When the flag of the United States is displayed from a staff projecting horizontally or at an angle from the window sill, balcony, or front of a building, the union of the flag should be placed at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half staff.
When the flag is suspended over a sidewalk from a rope extending from a house to a pole at the edge of the sidewalk, the flag should be hoisted out, union first, from the building.
i) When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union should be uppermost and to the flag's own right, that is, to the observer's left. When displayed in a window, the flag should be displayed in the same way, with the union or blue field to the left of the observer in the street.
Title 36, Subtitle I, Part A section 301 United States Code – National Anthem
(a) Designation.— The composition consisting of the words and music known as the Star-Spangled Banner is the national anthem.
(b) Conduct During Playing.— During a rendition of the national anthem—
(1) when the flag is displayed—
(A) individuals in uniform should give the military salute at the first note of the anthem and maintain that position until the last note;
(B) members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute in the manner provided for individuals in uniform; and
(C) all other persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, and men not in uniform, if applicable, should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart; and
(2) when the flag is not displayed, all present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed.
Respect for the Flag
(a) The flag should never be displayed with union down, except as a signal of dire
distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.
(b) The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor,
water, or merchandise.
(c) The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free.