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Many American flags were on display as red, white and blue hats, clothing and decorations prevailed Saturday during this year’s Fourth of July celebrations.

It’s a shame the same patriotism is not shown year-round.

Seeing the American flag has always brought a special feeling of pride to me. And it bothers me when our National Anthem is played — or sung — at an event with thousands in attendance and half the people do not show the proper respect.

Frequent displays of patriotism are nice, but it annoys me to see flags out in all kinds of weather or overnight.

Then, there are those who leave flags out so long they become tattered and ragged. It would be better not to fly a flag at all.

Some people apparently have forgotten that special rules apply to our national flag.

Patriotism aside, I think everyone should review the basic rules for displaying the flag.

Years ago, a friend connected with the Veterans’ Park at Wentworth gave me information about our flag. It is based on Public Law 829, approved by the 77th Congress.

Here are excerpts from that brochure:

■ It is the universal custom to display the flag from sunrise to sunset in the open on all days that weather permits but especially on national and state holidays. On Memorial Day, the U.S. flag should be flown at half-staff until noon. (However, the flag may be displayed at night if properly illuminated.)
■ The flag should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement (except when an all-weather flag is displayed).
■ The flag should never be displayed with the union down except as a signal of dire distress.
■ Never use the U.S. flag for receiving, holding, carrying or delivering anything.
■ The flag should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything designed for temporary use and discarded; or used as any portion of a costume or athletic uniform.
■ When the U.S. flag is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, it should be destroyed in a dignified way — preferably by burning — privately. (Coleman Southard Grogan American Legion Post 79 has a special receptacle outside its post at Watson and Woodrow streets in Reidsville where old flags may be placed. Legion members dispose of them in the proper manner.)
■ The flag should never touch anything beneath it — ground, floor, water or merchandise.
■ It should never be carried horizontally, but always aloft and free.
■ Never dip the flag to any person or thing. Regimental flags, state flags and organizational or institutional flags are to be dipped as a mark of honor.
■ The flag should never be used as drapery of any sort whatsoever, never festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free.
■ Bunting of blue, white and red, always arranged with the blue above, the white in the middle and the red below, should be used for covering a speaker’s desk, draping the front of a platform and for decoration in general.
■ The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used or stored in such a manner as will permit it to be easily torn, soiled or damaged in any way.
■ The flag should never have anything placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture or drawing of any nature.

Hopefully, people who have allowed their flags to fade or become ragged will take them down and replace them with new, bright-colored flags.

Let’s keep up this Fourth of July trend of patriotism but let’s also show proper respect for the emblem of our country.

Ann Fish is a Reidsville native who has lived in Eden since 1979. She is a retired newspaper editor and reporter. Contact her at annsomersfish@yahoo.com.