By Staff
Sept. 11 was designated as Patriot Day to honor the victims of the 2001 terrorists attacks.
The nation's greatest symbol, Old Glory - the American flag, should "be in mourning" on Patriot Day.
The flag should be at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Patriot Day.
Some flags cannot be lowered to half-staff.
For flags being flown on a pole at a 45-degree angle off the wall of a building, black-mourning streamers should be placed at the top of the pole.
For flags displayed vertically against a wall, black-mourning streamers should be placed on both sides of the flag.
The black mourning streamers should be approximately the width and length of one stripe of the flag. 
Why do we display the flag at half-staff or use black mourning streamers?
To honor those victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Indirectly, this also honors the other heroes of 9/11.
What other meaning or reason do people associate with this act of honor and respect?
Sept.11 was designated as Patriot Day by United States Public Law 107-89, which amended Title 36 of the United States Code effective Dec. 18, 2001.
That law states that on Patriot Day, the flag of the United States should be flown at half-staff in honor of the individuals who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks. 
State and local governments and the people of the United States have been called upon to observe Patriot Day with appropriate programs and activities. 
Further, the law requested that individuals observe a moment of silence in memory of the victims. 
For a flag in a bracket mounted on a house or other building, it is not possible to "half-staff" the flag. 
Therefore, a tradition of using black ribbons or streamers as a sign of mourning can be used.
Two black ribbons of suitable length should be attached at the top of the pole.
For a flag hung vertically, a ribbon should be affixed at each end of the "top" edge of the flag.
These ribbons should never be attached to the flag itself.
One theory on the origin of "half-staff" is that it comes from the military custom of lowering the flag to show, at the time of death, submission to the will of God. 
Current custom indicates that the flag is "in mourning" when it is at half-staff.
When a flag is flown at half-staff, it should first be raised to the top of the pole and then lowered to half-staff.
It is important to note that when the United States flag is flown at "half-staff," no other flag can be flown at "full-staff."
It is disrespectful to fly any flag higher than the U.S. flag.
On a solemn occasion such as Patriot Day, proper respect should be shown to those who lost their lives as well as the surviving families by flying the U.S. flag with dignity and respect. 
The U.S. Flag Code states that the flag should not be flown when it is no longer a fitting emblem for display.
When the flag is faded, frayed or ripped, it is not considered to be a dignified symbol of the United States; it is disrespectful to fly the U.S. flag in such a condition. 
Citizens should either remove "unserviceable" flags from display or proudly fly a bright, fresh flag during such solemn observances.
By James E. Bolinger
Flags International
10845 McKinley Highway
Osceola, Ind. 46561
574/674-5125