Now that July 4 has come and gone, I want to share one of my supreme irritations. As I drive from place to place, I see any number of displays of the U.S. flag. I am sure those who fly the flag do so out of respect for the flag and love for our country.

Each color on the flag has a meaning. Red is for valor and bravery. White stands for purity and innocence. Blue represents vigilance, perseverance, and justice.

Our flag has 13 alternating stripes of red and white. These stripes symbolize the original 13 colonies that declared independence in July 1776 and won their freedom as the united States of America – as the Declaration of Independence noted ought to be the case. Notice I did not capitalize “united.” If you read the Declaration carefully, you will see that “united” is not capitalized in the original. We united as the States of America.

Our flag currently has 50 stars – one for every state in this union. When I was born, the flag had 48 stars. Alaska gained admission to the union on January 3, 1959. Hawaii was admitted as a state on August 21, 1959.

Seeing tattered flags flying annoys me. I cannot tell you how many flags I have seen whose stripes were strips of cloth no longer attached to each other. Instead of a proud flag flying in the breeze, these flags look like a poor and neglected imitation of Old Glory.

Our flag represents the ideals of our nation. According to Section 4 of the Flag Code, the Pledge of Allegiance says:

“I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

As a nation, we believe in unity, indivisibility, liberty, and justice under the Republic our founders created in the U.S. Constitution. Admittedly, we do better at achieving these ideals, but those ideals are sound and precious – and the flag represents those ideals.

If you go out to check your flag and it is in tatters – take it down. Buy a new flag and hoist it on your flag pole. If you cannot afford a new flag at that moment, then leave the flag pole empty.

Do not throw away your tattered flag. The U.S. Flag Code guides us in dealing with a torn flag. When the flag is in tatters or ripped, or in any condition so that it is no longer a fitting emblem, it should be destroyed in a dignified and ceremonious fashion, preferably by burning. Most American Legion and VFW posts conduct this solemn ceremony yearly, often on Flag Day.

Before the ceremony begins, fold the flag in the customary manner. The fire must be reasonably large and have sufficient intensity to ensure the complete burning of the flag. Make sure you conform to local and state fire codes or ordinances.

Place the flag on the fire. The individual or individuals can come to attention, salute the flag, recite the Pledge of Allegiance, and have a brief period of silent reflection. After the flag burns completely, extinguish the fire safely. Bury the ashes.

Those who care enough to fly the U.S. flag should care enough to do it right. Flying a tattered flag disrespects this symbol, our nation, and those who have given us so much to defend us.

Mike Parker is a columnist for the Neuse News. You can reach him at mparker16@gmail.com.