THE NATIONAL ENSIGNOur national ensign (fig. 4-16) must always betreated with the greatest respect. It should never touchthe ground or the deck. It should always be folded,stowed, and displayed properly. Our flag representsfreedom to the world today and forever.When not under way, commissioned ships displaythe ensign from the flagstaff at the stern and the unionjack from the jack staff at the bow from 0800 to sunset.While under way, the ensign is normally flown from thegaff. In ships having more than one mast, the gaff isusually positioned on the aftermast. In ships equippedwith two macks (combination masts and stacks), thelocation of the flag depends on which mast is configuredto accept halyards or a gaff.When a U.S. naval ship enters a foreign port duringdarkness, at first light it briefly displays its colors on thegaff to make known its nationality. Other ships of warthat are present customarily display their colors inreturn.Our national ensign, along with the union jack, isreferred to as colors. At commands ashore and on U.S.naval ships not under way, the ceremonial hoisting andlowering of the national flag at 0800 and sunset isknown as morning and evening colors.When the national ensign is hoisted and lowered orhalf-masted for any occasion, the motions of the seniorofficer present are followed. This is done by flying thePREPARATIVE pennant (called PREP) 5 minutesbefore morning and evening colors. Ceremonies forcolors begin when PREP is hauled to the dip (thehalfway point). The PREP pennant is shown infigure 4-17.If a band or recorded music is available for the colorsceremony, “Attention” is sounded, followed by thenational anthem. At morning colors, the ensign is hoistedwhen the music begins. It is smartly hoisted to the top ofthe flagstaff. Remember, a furled (folded) ensign is neverhoisted to the top of the flagstaff or gaff. At eveningcolors, lowering of the ensign also begins at the start ofthe music and is so regulated as to be completely loweredat the last note of the music. “Carry On” is sounded at thecompletion of the music. The national flag is alwayshoisted smartly and lowered ceremoniously.If a band or music is not available for colors, “To theColors” is played on a bugle at morning colors, and“Retreat” is played at evening colors. For ships having noband, music, or bugler, “Attention” and “Carry On” aresignals for rendering and terminating the hand salute.Sometimes the music for colors from another U.S.ship can be overheard aboard your ship. When thishappens and no band, music, or bugler is aboard yourship, the command “Carry On” should not be given untilthe music being overheard is completed.If foreign warships are present, the national anthemof each country represented is played after morningcolors. If your ship is visiting a foreign port, the nationalanthem of that country is played immediately followingmorning colors, followed by the national anthems ofany other foreign nations represented.4-21Student Notes:BMRF0416Figure 4-16.—The United States national ensign.PREPARATIVEBMRF0417IN PORT :CLOSED UP - 5 MINUTES UNTIL COLORSAT THE DIP - COMMENCE COLORS(ATTENTION)HAULED DOWN - COLORS COMPLETED(CARRY ON)Figure 4-17.—Preparative pennant.
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