(This article is the fifth in a series about the history of the Ocean Beach Woman’s Club. The club is making progress in its floor campaign, but are still far from their goal. Thank you to those who have shown support. We are extremely grateful! Please consider donating – every contribution counts. Visit oceanbeachwomansclub.org.) Burning the flag
With the 4th of July celebration just behind us, we thought it would be fun to share this story from 1962 when the OBWC burned the American flag. As most people know, the correct and appropriate way to dispose of an American flag is to burn it. It is a sign of respect, even though when we see the flag being burned these days, it is often a sign of protest.
But in 1962 the OBWC got a new flag, so they had a ceremony to destroy the old.
June 16, 1942: “Our new flag was displayed for the first time, and the old flag was burned in a solemn ceremony by a troop of Girl Scouts. This flag was used by the Civilian Defense office during World War II and was presented to the club by our honorary member, Mrs. David Fraser.”
We are a divided country, but our flag is a unifier-a sign of democracy, courage and hope. So we were curious, and did some research to learn more about taking care of, and respecting our American flag. Turns out there is a Flag Code! Did you know…
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 as a drapery, or for covering a speakers desk, draping a platform, or 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, fireman, policeman and members of patriotic organizations.
The flag should never have placed on it, or attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind.
The flag should never be used as a receptacle 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.
The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary.
When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner. Source: USFlag.org
The OBWC hopes you had a wonderful 4th of July and looks forward to working hard for our community for the rest of the year. We would especially like to invite the women of Ocean Beach to join us. Our next monthly meeting is 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 11. Come to learn more and stand with us as we recite our pledge, in unison at the beginning of each meeting: “We, the women of the Ocean Beach Woman’s Club, will honor each other with friendship, community, fun and philanthropy, in the spirit of sisterhood today and always.”