KAREN WIGHT -- No Place Like Home

I love the patriotic wave that has washed over the nation. This

spirit diminishes our differences and brings us together in our love of

the freedoms we cherish and the freedoms we take for granted.

The past 12 days have turned our neighborhoods, vehicles and clothing

into a sea of red, white and blue. Displaying the flag expresses our

feelings without speaking, brings us together to mourn and unifies us

with a common goal.

Every neighborhood I drive through has flags hanging from poles,

draped over balconies, lining walkways and decorating front doors. Cars

have flags taped to antennas, flags waving in poles secured to truck

flatbeds, flags painted on windows, flags attached to doors and flags

wired to front grills.

If you have ever been a scout, you already know the rules of protocol

for flying a flag. But in case you are a novice, let me share the rules

with you:

* The flag should never touch the ground.

* The flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.

* The flag may be flown at night if it is illuminated; otherwise, it

should be lowered at sunset.

* To fly the flag at half-staff, the flag should be hoisted to the

top then lowered to the appropriate position.

Flags flown from vehicles should be edged with clear tape to avoid

fraying.

Now a few words about flag vocabulary:

* The staff is the pole a flag hangs on.

* The union is a design that symbolizes unity. The stars in the

American flag canton symbolize the 50 states.

* The canton is the upper corner of the flag next to the staff where a

special design, like the union appears.

* The badge is an emblem or design, usually on the free end of the

flag, farthest from the staff.

* The field is the background of a flag.

* The ground is the background of a flag.

* The halyard is a rope used to hoist and lower a flag.

* The hoist is the part of the flag closest to the staff. The term is

also used for the vertical width of the flag.

Flags symbolize our land, people, government and ideals. A flag can

stir people to courage, joy and sacrifice. Fly your flag and feel the

spirit.

* KAREN WIGHT is a Newport Beach resident. Her column runs Sundays.