Saturday, June 20, 2015
L‘ OBSERVATEUR A Special Supplement of Best Along the River Since 1913
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Students are shown how to dispose of a torn or tattered flag during a Rotary Club of LaPlace presentation at Emily C. Watkins School.
Rotary members bring flag lessons to area students BY JUDE GRAVOIS SPECIAL TO L’OBSERVATEUR
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or the past seven years, the Rotary Club of LaPlace has been teaching fourth graders from throughout St. John the Baptist Parish about our American flag. Throughout the school year, five or six Club members on a rotating basis present a short skit at each of our local schools titled “Fourth Graders Meet the American Flag.” Three of the presenters play the part of being an American flag and bear the names our flag is commonly known as: Old Glory, Stars and Stripes and the Star Spangled Banner. The skit includes an abundance of historical information about our flag, including its original design by Francis Hopkinson and creation
by Betsy Ross, and the meaning and historical significance of its stars and stripes. The skit allows the students to learn and understand how and when new stars are added to our flag, and how and when changes can be made to our flag. Proper flag etiquette is a very prominent part of the presentation. The students are taught the proper way of displaying the flag in various situations (half-staff, presentation with other flags, etc.), the proper way of standing at attention when saying the Pledge of Allegiance or when the National Anthem is sung or played and the proper way of disposing of a torn or tattered flag. Volunteers from the participating classes assist the presenters with the proper folding of the flag and the sigSEE FLAG, PAGE 4
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Everyone in attendance at the Rotary events says the Pledge of Allegiance together during the presentation.
The students are taught the proper folding of the flag, with assistance of volunteer students from the audience.
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FLAG: Students taught meaning of Pledge of Allegiance phrases FROM PAGE 2
nificance and meaning of each fold. The volunteers make sure the flag does not touch the floor or anything around it during the folding process. In the presentation, students are also taught the meaning of every phrase contained in the Pledge of Allegiance. As part of the presentation, all of the students rise and slowly say the Pledge of Allegiance together, giving them an opportunity to understand and give significance to the words they say at the beginning of each school day. It is very touching to all in attendance to see the students standing at attention with their hands on their hearts saying the Pledge of Allegiance slowly and loudly in unison. At the end of the presentation, a series of about 10 questions are asked of the students as to various information included in the presentation. Students who answer the
Each school is presented with a new American flag for use at the school.
questions correctly are rewarded with a nice American flag lapel pin. As part of the program, each student is provided with a flag wrist-
band and a short book, which contains additional information about the flag. Information contained in the book is sometimes included in
standardized testing the students are required to take during the school year. The Rotary Club also presents all participating schools with a new American flag for use at the school. The goal of the Rotary Club of LaPlace in doing these presentations for the students every year is to enhance knowledge and understanding of our flag and everything it stands for, and to help ensure all (children and adults alike) have respect and reverence for our flag at all times. It is very heartwarming and gratifying to participating Club members to see how interested and enlightened the students are in learning about our flag, and even with such a short presentation, they quickly come to appreciate and understand a lot of what our flag stands for, particularly the many lives that have been lost defending our fine country and the flag that so gracefully represents it.
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U.S. Flag Code From handling and saluting to displaying and disposal, there is a code in place when it comes to the American flag. Old Glory is a symbol of our freedom and liberty, and the vision set forth by our founding fathers. That’s why there are so many rules and regulations in place to preserve its heritage. On June 14, 1923, the National Flag Code was adopted by the National Flag Conference. Putting together the code was a collaborative process. The conference called together representatives of the United States Army and Navy to describe their own flag-handling procedures — an effort that led to the adoption of these processes by all organizations in attendance.
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PAGE 7 Some general guidelines from the Flag Code: • The flag should be lighted at all times, either by sunlight or by an appropriate light source. • The flag should be flown in fair weather, unless the flag is designed for inclement weather use. • The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal. • The flag should not be used for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top. • The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins,
boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard. • The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen and members of patriotic organizations. • The flag should never have any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind placed on it or attached to it. • The flag should never be used for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything. • When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms. To store the flag it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.
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Thanks to all our Military personnel for the sacrifices you have made for our freedom.
Proud to Be an American.....Proud to be FREE.
Charles Julien Candiate for St. John the Baptist Parish President
LENNIX MADERE E DF Clerk of Court
Councilman, District III
God Bless America God Bless St. John Parish Looking forward to continuing my service to you in the future.
Fueling the American Spirit.
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History of the Flag T o use proper etiquette, you must truly understand the history of the United States flag. Where did it come from and who created it? Why is it red, white and blue? The traditional story that Betsy Ross designed the original flag in 1776 has permeated our education system and is the most noteworthy story of how the flag came to be. Some historians claim that in June 1776, a congressional committee of Gen. George Washington, Robert Morris and Betsy’s uncle, George Ross, went to her Philadelphia upholstery shop. After collaborating on some minor design details, Ross agreed to sew the finalized emblem, and on June 14, 1777, Congress adopted it as the official U.S. flag. ANOTHER CREATOR? Many historians refute the Ross tradition, claiming that there is no official record of a congressional flag committee.
The only documented evidence naming Ross is a voucher dated May 29, 1777, showing that she was paid 14 pounds and some shillings for flags she made for the Pennsylvania Navy, according to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).
OLD GLORY The name Old Glory was first applied to the U.S. flag by Capt. William Driver, a young captain who lived in Salem, Mass. On his 21st birthday, he was presented a beautiful flag by his mother, which he named Old Glory. The captain took Old Glory on many sea voyages before eventually quitting sailing and settling in Nashville. Driver reportedly displayed Old Glory proudly from a rope extending from his house to a tree across the street before finally giving it to his daughter shortly before his death. The flag remained as a precious heirloom in the Driver family until 1922, when it was sent to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C., where it remains carefully preserved under glass.
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The Salute The salute is one of the most revered forms of respect for the flag and for those who have served to protect it. You’ll notice that when it comes time to salute the flag, everyone present will come to attention. According to the National Flag Foundation, all persons in uniform should give the military salute, as should members of the Armed Forces and veterans who may not be in uniform. The latter recommendation was put into place by the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008, which contained an amendment to allow un-uniformed service members, military retirees and veterans to render a hand salute during the hoisting, lowering or passing of the U.S. flag. All other persons should salute by placing their right hand over their hearts. Men wearing a hat, cap or other headwear are to remove it, while women are not required to remove their head covering. According to the National Flag Foundation, the salute is held until the flag is unsnapped from the halyard or through the last note of the national anthem, whichever is longer. Other recommendations from the National Flag Foundation are as follows: • When the national anthem is played or sung, citizens should stand at attention and salute by placing their right hand over their heart at the first note, holding the salute through the last note. The salute is directed to the flag. If in uniform, the person should salute in the formal manner. It is proper to salute wherever the national anthem is played. • When the Pledge of Allegiance is recited, citizens should stand at attention and salute by also placing their right hand over the heart with the first word and holding the salute through the last line of the Pledge. The salute is directed to the flag by facing it during the Pledge.
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L G, III Councilman At Large, Division A
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PROPER DISPOSAL Disposing of an American flag is a sensitive, yet necessary action you may have to take if yours is damaged or weatherbeaten. According to the U.S. Flag Code: The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem of display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning. How to burn your flag, from the U.S. Flag Code: • The flag should be folded in its customary manner. • Make sure your fire is fairly large and of sufficient intensity to ensure complete burning of the flag. • Place the flag on the fire. • Come to attention, salute the flag, recite the Pledge of Allegiance 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. The National Fire Protection Association reminds you to remain vigilant of your local state and fire codes if you choose to burn your flag. Exercise all proper safety measures to make sure your ceremony is safely executed. FLAG RETIREMENT If you choose not to burn your flag but would still like to give Old Glory its proper send-off, you may decide to contact a local organization that collects old American flags. In most communities, these types of services gather and oversee the proper disposal of tattered flags. Try reaching out to your local chapter
SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2015
of the Boy Scouts of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars or The American Legion. These groups all provide their own form of flag retirement services and can make the experience a convenient one for you. HAVE YOUR OWN CEREMONY Now that you know the proper way to burn a retired flag, you may choose to incorporate ceremonial aspects into your flag-burning process. You can raise the flag on its poll one last time with friends and family, calling them to attention to salute and recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Feel free to come up with your own unique speech in honor of the flag’s service to your family and community before burning it. This type of ceremony provides the perfect opportunity to teach younger children the importance of patriotism and love for the flag.
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Displaying the Flag Outdoors
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any American citizens choose to proudly wave the red, white and blue from posts or poles in their yards. It is a showing of great respect for our nation and helps us feel more patriotic.
There are certain actions you must take when displaying your flag outdoors to maintain its prestige. These are spelled out by the U.S. Flag Code. Here are a few examples from www.usflag.org: • When the flag is displayed from a staff projecting from a window, balcony or a building, the union should be at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half-staff. • When it is displayed from the same flagpole with another flag, the U.S. flag must always be at the top with a couple of exceptions. The church pennant may be flown above the flag during church services for Navy personnel when conducted by a Naval chaplain on a ship at sea. • When the flag is displayed over a street, it should be hung vertically, with the union to the north or east. If the flag is suspended over a sidewalk, the flag’s union should be farthest from the building. PROPER ILLUMINATION One of the most intricate parts of the U.S. Flag Code concerns displaying the flag at night. If you choose
to do so, you must make sure the flag is property illuminated. This means that the stars and stripes can be
seen from a reasonable distance, which may require you to install a dedicated light for a flag on a pole.
Flags on a residential porch may only need the light of a porch or street light to achieve proper illumination.
Check in with your local American Legion or armory for more detailed instruction on what my be required in your area.
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SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2015
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"The flag symbolizes different things, depending on whom you ask. To me it symbolizes Hope, Belief and Faith...Hope in better days ahead, Belief that it will happen and the Faith that ours is on the horizon". District 6 Councilman, Larry M. Snyder, Sr.
Sheriff Mike Tregre St. John the Baptist Parish Sheriff ’s Office
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Folding the Flag
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f you’ve ever witnessed a flag-folding ceremony, you understand the power that is conveyed during this special occurrence.
While different organizations conduct flag-folding ceremonies in different ways, The American Legion has defined these symbols for the folds of the flag: FOLD 1: Symbol of life. FOLD 2: Symbol of our belief in eternal life. FOLD 3: Made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks, and who gave a portion of his or her life for the defense of our country to attain peace throughout the world. FOLD 4: Representation of our weaker nature; as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn
in times of peace, as well as in times of war, for His divine guidance. FOLD 5: Tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, “Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right, but it is still our country, right or wrong.” FOLD 6: For where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. FOLD 7: Tribute to our
armed forces, for it is through the armed forces that we protect our country and our flag against all enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic. FOLD 8: Tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor our mother, for whom it flies on Mother’s Day. FOLD 9: Tribute to womanhood, for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made
BUDDY BOE Salutes AMERICA
this country great have been molded. FOLD 10: Tribute to father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since he or she was first born. FOLD 11: In the eyes of Hebrew citizens, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. FOLD 12: In the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son and Holy Ghost.
The Flag in Mourning A flag at half-staff is a solemn symbol of honor. By order of the President, the flag is flown at half-staff upon the death of principal figures of the government and the governor of a state, territory or possession. To place the flag at half staff, you should hoist it to the peak for an instant and lower it to a position half way between the top and bottom of the staff. Half-Staff Timeframes The flag shall be flown at half-staff for 30 days following the death of the president or a former president, according to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Other half-staff flying requirements include: • Ten days following 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 asso-
ciate 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; • On the day of death and the following day for a member of Congress; and • On Peace Officers Memorial Day, unless that day is also Armed Forces Day; Black Ribbons In a case where the flag is fixed to the pole, like in many residential uses, it may not be possible to fly the flag at half-staff. This is when it may be required to properly attach two black ribbons to the end of the pole. Two streamers of suitable length made of black ribbon should be attached at the top of the pole, but not fastened to the flag itself. For a flag that is displayed flat against a wall either vertically or horizontally, affix a streamer at each end of the top edge of the flag.
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ED! T S U B
LICENSED • BONDED • INSURED SAY GOODBYE TO RODENTS, ANTS, ROACHES AND TERMITES!
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William Martin, left, shakes hands with Southeast Louisiana War Veterans Home Administrator Cleveland Obey following Martin’s donation and installation of an American Braille flag at the Reserve location. (Photo submitted)
Scout raises braille flag in Reserve BY STEPHEN HEMELT L’OBSERVATEUR
RESERVE — The roar was deafening when William Martin pulled into the Southeast Louisiana War Veterans Home. Traveling with nine Harley-Davidson motorcycles has a way of doing that. “Oh my goodness,” Home Administrator Cleveland Obey said. “It sounded like a jet sitting out in my parking lot when they all pulled up.” Martin’s loud arrival reverberated through each nearby person’s sense of hearing, which seemed fitting because his goal was to honor those suffering with the loss of another sense — their sight. Martin, who just finished his sophomore year at Catholic High School in Baton Rouge, chose to place a permanent, bronze American Braille flag at the War Veterans Home in Jackson as part of a community service project while pursuing the rank of Eagle Scout. Martin sold wristbands with the name of his project, “Touch and See,” and gave history and flag etiquette presentations to various organizations and civic groups in the Baton Rouge area in exchange for donations. “After a few presentations, we noticed that we might be able to raise enough (money) for all five War Veterans Homes (in Louisiana,)” Martin said. “Thanks to many great people and two very generous donations, I was able to achieve this goal.”
According to the American Legion, official bronze American Braille flags feature the Pledge of Allegiance in Braille, as well as print, along with raised stars and stripes to give non-sighted individuals a sense and feel of the American flag’s beauty. The Braille color code is located at the bottom of the flag. Martin said the response in Reserve was great, with Obey adding more than 40 veterans lined the hallway during the presentation. “It was in particular very special because whenever I entered, many of the veterans were lined up waiting for my arrival,” Martin said. “The bikers and I greeted them and talked to them while the flag was being installed. Mr. Obey was also very nice and made the process go very smoothly.” Obey said since the flag’s installation, he sees veterans coming up to take a look at the Braille flag each morning in the front lobby. It’s mounted low enough to provide wheelchair accessibility for those who would like to experience it. “We have a few veterans that have visual impairments that benefit from the actual Braille flag,” Obey said. Martin was especially thankful for the support of the Baton Rouge Harley-Davidson Owner’s Group (H.O.G.), which escorted his mother and him to Reserve. “It was very cool,” he said. “It was the first time that I had been in any kind of escort, and it was a fantastic experience. The sound of the motorcycles was very powerful. It made me feel very special, and I’m grateful to the H.O.G. mem-
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Representative Greg A. Miller
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Representative Greg A. Miller wishes everyone a Happy Fourth of July celebrating our Country’s Independence and Freedom.
Southeast Louisiana War Veterans Home residents Junius Markey, from left, Guy Engolio and John Rogers, joined by Rogers’ wife Jerry, pose this January in front of the Home’s newest tribute, a bronze American Braille flag.
bers for taking their time to escort me.” A friend of Martin’s mom was the first to tell him about the Braille American flag, and it was his follow-up research indicating a need for a service project that inspired him to take on the unique effort. According to his research and the World Health Organization, about 11.4 million people are blind or visually impaired in America, and the Department of Veterans Affairs estimates by 2020, more than 1 million veterans will be blind. Each year, about 47,000 people — one person every 11 minutes — becomes blind in the U.S. (This story originally appeared in L’OBSERVATEUR.)
God Bless the U.S.A Home of the FREE, Thanks to the BRAVE!
5-Star Quality, Close to Home Proud to be 1 of 3 The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid recently launched a Star Quality Rating System on its Hospital Compare Website to spotlight excellence in healthcare quality. St. James Parish Hospital was one of only three full-service hospitals in Louisiana to earn the highest rating of 5 stars. Nationwide, of
What defines “Quality?” Communication Discharge Instructions Pain Control Explanations Cleanliness Quietness
3,500 hospitals in the country, St. James Parish Hospital was one of only 251 hospitals to earn this distinct ranking.
225.869.5512 | 1645 Lutcher Ave. | Lutcher, LA | www.sjph.org
*Results based on data reported from Inpatients discharged July 2013 – June 2014.
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