(A) Definition. For the purposes of this section, the following definition shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES. As used in this chapter, shall include any flag, standard, colors, ensign, or any picture or representation of either, or of any part or parts of either, made of any substance or represented on any substance, of any size evidently purporting to be either of the flag, standard, colors, or ensign of the United States of America, or a picture or a representation of either, upon which shall be shown the colors, the stars, and the stripes, in any number of either thereof, or of any part or parts of either, by which the average person seeing the same without deliberation may believe the same to represent the flag, standards, colors, or ensign of the United States of America.
(Prior Code, § 137.01)
(B) Offenses enumerated. No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America; the flag should not be dipped to any person or thing. Regimental colors, state flags, and organization or institutional flags are to be dipped as a mark of honor.
(1) The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal or dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.
(2) The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise.
(3) The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free.
(4) The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free. Bunting of blue, white, and red, always arranged with the blue above, the white in the middle, and the red below, should be used for covering a speaker’s desk, draping the front of the platform, and for decoration in general.
(5) The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in a manner as to permit it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way.
(6) The flag should never be used as a covering for a ceiling.
(7) The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature.
(8) The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
(9) The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. It should not be embroidered on articles such as cushions or handkerchiefs, and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown.
(10) No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firefighters, police officers, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.
(11) The flag, when it is in a condition that it is not a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.
(Prior Code, § 137.02)
(Ord. 3485, passed - -1989) Penalty, see § 130.99