DAR presents ABCs of flags

by
A century ago, members of the Daughters of the American Revolution honor Old Glory.
A century ago, members of the Daughters of the American Revolution honor Old Glory.

A century ago, in its annual report about its many efforts to promote patriotism, the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) listed a “Flag Alphabet Acrostic.” It used the 26 letters of the alphabet to teach about the American flag and flag etiquette.

The DAR has been committed to promoting the American flag since its founding 125 years ago in 1890. The organization’s objectives include focusing on “service to the nation” through efforts “to perpetuate the memory and spirit of [those] who achieved American Independence” as well as education for “enlightened public opinion,” and fostering “patriotism and love of country.”

DAR members and flag decorations at their 1905 convention. (Library of Congress)
DAR members and flag decorations at their 1905 convention. (Library of Congress)

As its name implies, DAR membership is open to any woman who can prove she is a descendant of a patriot from the American Revolution. Since flags come with patriots, the DAR is involved in many activities to promote Old Glory, including donating and sponsoring the installation of flagpoles around the U.S.

The Fourth of July is a perfect time to slip back in time to savor this list of flag respect and banner patriotism from the DAR’s 1915 “Flag Alphabet Acrostic”:

A = Acquire a flag of your own.

B = Burn it when it becomes worn out.

In 1912, DAR members raised flags.
In 1912, DAR members raised flags.

C = Converse about its signification.

D = Decorate with bunting.

E = Encourage flag lectures, drills, plays, and essays.

F = Fly the…flag.

G = Generously present flags when you can. They are welcome Christmas gifts and wedding presents.

H = Have a Star-Spangled Banner record for your Victrola [a sentence that proves how old the list is].

I = Interest your local newspaper men to reprint flag articles and flag laws.

J = Jealously watch advertisements,…and see that the flag is not misused.

K = Keep a scrapbook for flag poems, cartoons, and news.

L = Learn the flag law of [your] State.

M = Memorize the four verses of the National Anthem.

N = Never hang the flag at night, nor in a storm.

O = Observe all national holidays with flag displays, indoors and out.

P = Prevent desecration by spreading information, since ignorance alone generates disrespect of the flag.

Q = Quietly and gently suggest a right substitute for a wrong use of the colors.

R = Rise to your feet when the Star-Spangled Banner is being rendered.

S = See that no misprinting of the flag goes uncorrected.

T = Teach the standard salute [meaning the Pledge of Allegiance].

U = Use discretion and privacy in approaching unintentional flag offenders.

V = Visit the public library and read…flag books.

W = Wake up to the many ways of promoting acquaintance with Old Glory.

And that brings us to the letter X. The DAR confronted the tricky problem of the alphabet’s least-used letter by this stratagem:

X = Express your opposition to a national flag law by writing to your…Senator and Member of Congress.

Y = You have as much right to enforce…flag law as any other citizen.

Z = Zealously guard historic, battle-scarred and costly flags.

James Breig is a veteran author who specializes in history. His most recent book is “Star-Spangled Baseball: True Tales of Flags and Fields” about the links between the sport and flags. He is also the author of a nonfiction book about WWII, "Searching for Sgt. Bailey: Saluting an Ordinary Soldier of World War II" and co-author of "The Mystery of the Multiple Mothers," a novel. All three are available at www.amazon.com. His articles have appeared in newspapers and national magazines, including the Colonial Williamsburg Journal (search for them at www.history.org/journal) and History Magazine. He has won many national awards for his opinion writing, media columns and feature articles.

Leave a Reply