Honoring flag means following etiquette

Many across eastern New Mexico are pledging their allegiance to the star-spangled banner today.

Flag Day is celebrated every June 14 across the nation to commemorate adoption of the U.S. flag in 1777.

Sgt. Chumphol Saengchaem, who's in charge of the Cannon Air Force Base Honor Guard, said honoring the flag is more than simply showing our nation's colors and proper folding at the end of the day.

"For us, everything is important regarding flag etiquette. We treat the flag as our own family member. We would sacrifice our lives for this and people do every day," Saengchaem said.

The American flag represents "all those who serve and continue to serve," he said.

Some local scouts also have a deep respect for the flag and spend a great deal of time learning etiquette.

Mike Waggoner, assistant scout master of Troop 226 in Clovis, said scouts are required to learn how to properly raise, lower, and fold the American flag as a part of their ranking.

"The main thing is respect," Waggoner said.

Each year at camp, the scouts "put on a formal ceremony" raising the flag each morning, lowering it each evening, and folding it correctly to store overnight, Waggoner said.

He also said each new year, there are newer scouts who learn the details of flag etiquette from the older boys who in turn learn the procedures more confidently.

According to Saengchaem, there is a strict protocol in place for the military for the treatment of any American flag and civilians are asked to give the same due respect.

The United States Department of Defense Instruction publishes a protocol document outlining all of the regulations for flag etiquette.

The guidelines begin with specifying what materials the flag should be made of and the dimensions depending on where and when the flag will be displayed.

Once an old flag becomes unserviceable, or too worn to be put on display, it must be destroyed in a dignified manor, according to the guidelines. Burning the flag is akin to cremation.

Saengchaem also said the flag is a component of final military honors to veterans or deceased servicemen.

The dignity given to an out-of-commission flag is in line with the honor the flag brings to retired or deceased servicemen and women as well as police officers and firefighters.