Friends of the flag: North Bend residents get patriotic award

Three North Bend residents received Patriotic Citizen Awards from Valley Veterans of Foreign Wars Post no. 2289 and its Ladies Auxiliary this winter. Jim and Deni Shadley, pictured, and Mrs. Betty Spear received the award, given for their efforts in ensuring the flag is respected and treated properly. “The flag is raised each morning and removed each evening at dusk, as traditional guidelines call for displaying the flag in public only from sunrise to sunset,” Jim Shadley said. “The flag should not be subject to weather damage, so it should not be displayed during rain, snow and windstorms unless it is an all-weather flag.” According to the VFW, flags should be displayed often, but especially on national and state holidays and special occasions. Flags should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously. On Memorial Day, the flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon. Whenever the flag is displayed at half-staff, it should be first raised to the top. Find more tips at www.VFW.org.