not be sounded until the flag is lowered to half-mast. Atevening colors, “Attention” is sounded and the saluterendered before raising the flag to the top of the flagstafffrom its half-mast position.If the ensign is flown from the flagstaff and ishalf-masted, the union jack is half-masted also.Distinctive marks, such as commission or commandpennants, are not half-masted except when the ship’scommanding officer or the unit commander dies.A special ceremony calling for half-masting theensign is required of ships passing Washington’stomb between sunrise and sunset. A full guard andband are paraded (if aboard), the ship’s bell is tolled,and the ensign is half-masted as the ship comes insight of Mount Vernon, Virginia. When the ship isopposite the tomb, the guard and all persons on deckface the tomb and salute. When the bugler begins tosound taps, the ensign is raised to the peak; tolling ofthe bell ceases on the last note of taps. The band thenplays the national anthem, followed by the commandto “Carry on.”You may have the duty of raising or lowering theensign at some time in your career. You shouldremember that the ensign is raised smartly but loweredceremoniously. After the ensign is lowered, it is foldedproperly and placed in safekeeping until morningcolors. Figure 9-9 shows the correct way to fold theensign. The union jack is folded and handled in the samemanner as the national ensign.NATIONAL ANTHEM AND FLAG HONORSHonors to the ensign or national anthem arerendered on occasions other than at colors. In thissection, you will learn about procedures for renderinghonors when the anthem is played indoors and outdoors,with or without the flag present. Foreign anthems andensigns are shown the same mark of respect as our ownanthem and ensign. All salutes are held from the firstnote of the anthem to the last.All the following rules for saluting the nationalanthem apply only when you hear it played as part of apublic ceremony at which you are present. If you hear abroadcast or recording of the anthem on a radio, tape orCD player, television, or as you pass a store, you don’tneed to stop or salute.IndoorsIf the flag is not displayed when the anthem isplayed inside a building, you stand at attention facingthe source of the music. If you are in uniform andcovered, you render the hand salute; if not covered, youstand at attention. If you are in civilian clothes, renderthe hand-over-the-heart salute.9-13Student Notes:Figure 9-9.—Folding the ensign.
Integrated Publishing, Inc. - A (SDVOSB) Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business
