The American flag is a symbol of hope and freedom to millions. Unfortunately, many don't know how to properly display it or even how to correctly dispose of it. Mike Buss, deputy director in the Americanism Division of the American Legion, or the "flag expert" as he jokingly refers to himself, knows every way to properly display the flag.
In the 16 years that he has been with Legion in the Indianapolis headquarters, Buss has shared his expertise with people across the country. "Having done this now for a time I guess that qualifies me as an expert," he said with a laugh.
Buss's fascination with the flag began when he was a child in Cub Scouts back in Iowa. He then continued to learn about proper flag decorum while he served in the United States Navy. According to Buss, the Flag Code is actually federal law. "There is no civil penalty for anyone who improperly flies the flag," Buss said.
Some of the more common questions he has come across involve how and when to properly fly the flag as well as how to properly dispose of the flag. According to Buss, the flag should be flown during daylight hours but the flag can fly at night as long as it is properly illuminated.
"We here at The American Legion take the interpretation of proper illumination to be either a single source of light," he said. Spot lights, flood lights and even street lights are acceptable means of illuminating a flag.
"If there's something that casts enough illumination when you're walking by and you look up and see that's a flag flying then, hey, that's good enough for us," Buss said.
In inclement weather, the flag should not be flown unless it is an all-weather flag and according to Buss, the flags of today are made out of all-weather materials. Eventually, flags become worn and tattered and are no longer suitable for flying but then the question of what to do with the flags presents itself.
"That's when it's time to take that flag down and take it to one of our 15,000 American Legion posts around the country," Buss said. The annual flag day is also recognized as "the most appropriate day" to hold the ceremony for the unserviceable flags ceremony. The ceremony guidelines state that any worn and faded flags pass a final inspection and are then burned.
The burning ceremony is deemed both legal and proper, according to the Flag Code. Read more: Herald Citizen - Using proper flag etiquette on Flag Day