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LAPLACE — The American flag means many things to different people, including the freedom that was fought for and won and the honor of soldiers that gave of themselves for that freedom.

The Boy Scouts and Rotary Club of LaPlace are two groups that show honor to the flag.       At 10 a.m. on Saturday, March 28,– Troop 406 will hold its annual Flag Retirement Ceremony at the War Veterans Home located at 4080 W. Airline Highway in Reserve. To donate flags that are torn and tattered and are no longer serviceable please drop them off in the receptacle at the VFW hall at 205 W. Fifth St. in LaPlace or at 7 p.m. at First United Methodist Church   in LaPlace on Tuesday evenings. Flags may be brought the ceremony to be retired at a future date.

The Rotary Club of LaPlace visits local schools to teach children about the flag, like how and when it should be flown, how to care for the flag, and how to fold it.

The following is information from the Flag Code.

Raising and lowering:

According to USFlag.org, the U.S. flag should be raised quickly and lowered slowly. The flag must be displayed only from sunrise to sunset, unless it is well lit after dark. The flag will be saluted as it’s raised. When lowered, the salute will be held until the flag is unsnapped from the halyard and ceremonial music finishes.

Indoors, the flag should be displayed to the right of the speaker, staging area or sanctuary. Any other flags hanging in the room should always hang to the left of the U.S. flag. When grouped for display, the American flag should be in the center and at the highest point of any flag.

In mourning:

At half staff, first hoist it to the peak for an instant before lowering it to a position halfway between the top and bottom of the staff. During mourning, when the time comes to lower the flag, it should once again be momentarily raised to the peak before it is lowered.

Flags are to be flown at half staff upon presidential or gubernatorial order.

When covering a casket, the flag should be placed with the union at the head and over the left shoulder. The flag should never be lowered into the grave.

Parading the flag:

When the flag is carried in a procession, the flag should always be to the right of the marchers when it is the lone flag being represented. When other flags are carried, the U.S. flag may be centered in front of the others or carried to their right. Parade audiences should salute the flag as it passes in the procession.

Flag restrictions:

There are many conditions under which the American flag is not to be used. These include:

• The flag should never be used as a decoration. Use bunting to decorate with the colors of the American flag, always ensuring the blue stripe of the bunting is on top.
• The flag should not be used as part of advertising. The flag also should not be embroidered, printed or impressed on articles such as cushions, napkins, boxes, or anything considered temporary and likely to be discarded after use.
• The flag should not be used as part of a costume. The uniforms of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations are permitted to wear U.S. flag insignias on their uniforms.
• The flag is not to be used as a receptacle to carry, deliver, hold, or receive anything.

Our flag is an enduring symbol of freedom and sacrifice to millions of people across the globe. The flag should always be displayed with the utmost respect and in adherence to the guidelines set forth by the Flag Code.