The annual Bladen Celebration on the Square Sunday evening past was beautiful. It always is, but this year's program may have been particularly meaningful in that we have September 11 of last year heavy on our minds, and we are still dealing with it and its consequences.

The Celebration was well-attended, and the numbers of choir members and others were at an all-time high. We commend, and thank, organizer Sylvia Campbell and all who participated-singers, musicians, dancers, pilots, narrators, everybody.

One thing we noted during the program is that there apparently is some complacency, or ignorance, even on the part of those who obviously are patriotic, of proper flag etiquette. Some are apparently unaware of how to properly show respect for our hallowed institutions like the flag, the pledge to it, and the national anthem. The most common abuse-not just Sunday night, but anywhere that the flag is saluted and/or the national anthem is played, including athletic events-seems to be simply not paying attention and showing proper respect.

There is a Flag Code to help us know what to do. It was adopted on June 14, 1923, by the National Flag Conference which was attended by representatives of the Army and Navy, both of which had prior to that time evolved their own flag procedures, and 66 other national groups.

The code was officially adopted by the Conference on Flag Day. A few minor changes were made a year later during the 1924 Flag Day Conference, but it was not until June 22, 1942, that Congress passed a joint resolution, later amended in December of that year, which became Public Law 829, Chapter 806. Exact rules for use and display of the flag, as well as associated sections on Conduct during the playing of the national anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, were included.

The code is THE guide for all handling and display of the Stars and Stripes. It does not impose penalties for misuse of the U. S. Flag. That is left to the individual states, but mostly to individuals themselves.

The code is rather extensive as it relates to the flag, and we will not reprint it in its entirety here. Readers can find versions of it at many websites which deal with flag etiquette, and from certain patriotism-based organizations such as the American Legion.

What we will address here are the specific acts of respect the code suggests for us during parades involving the flag, during the Pledge of Allegiance, and during the playing of the national anthem.

The code says that, when the United States flag is carried in a procession, it should be to the right of the marchers. When other flags are carried, it may be centered in front of the others or carried to their right. When the flag passes in a procession, or when it is hoisted and lowered, all should face the flag and salute.

The Pledge of Allegiance should be rendered by standing at attention, facing the flag, and saluting.

When the national anthem is played or sung, citizens should stand at attention and salute the first note and hold the salute through the last note. The salute is directed to the flag, if it is displayed, and otherwise to the music.

To salute, all persons come to attention. Those in uniform give the appropriate formal salute. Citizens not in uniform salute by placing their right hand over the heart and any man wearing a hat should remove it and place it to the left shoulder, with the hand over the heart.

Many of us have become complacent in showing respect for our flag and our national anthem-two of our most important American institutions. Perhaps worse still, we are failing to show our children that respect, and failing to tell them the importance of it. Anyone who doesn't know that need only go to a high school football game and look at what the kids are doing when the national anthem is played. They're usually doing something besides paying attention and showing respect.

Next time you're at a public event, and the Pledge of Allegiance is part of the program, remember to stand at attention, salute, and for goodness sakes, remove your hat if you're a male and not in a military uniform. When the national anthem is played, do the same thing.

And if the fellow beside you wants to talk and slouch and keep his hat on, give him a dirty look. It's the least you can do for our flag and our national anthem.

--30-