Dear Lee,

Flags fly in front of many American homes on Memorial Day, Flag Day, the Fourth of July, other federal holidays and sometimes every day. We keep a flag out front from May until the first snowstorm. It’s on a short pole, doesn’t touch the ground and is under a light all night.

Most people are aware of the rules for displaying a flag, but here are a few additional U.S. flag rules you may not know:

• Nothing should be drawn on the flag.
• The flag should not be embroidered on cushions, handkerchiefs, etc.
• The flag should not be printed or impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything designed for temporary use.
• The flag should never be used for clothing, bedding or draperies.
• The flag should never be used in advertising.
• Flag pins should be worn on the left side of your clothing near the heart.

It’s true that you can find old ads and even printed drapery fabrics decorated with flags. That’s because the National Flag Code wasn’t passed until 1923. It has been updated many times since then.

When a flag becomes tattered, it should be destroyed in a special way, preferably by burning. We call a local Boy Scout troop and they conduct the proper ceremony.

P.S. It’s flea market weather, so look for me and say hello. I’m going out this weekend to find a treasure.