As the Fourth of July approaches, I am looking forward to being out at community events, including marching in the Sanford parade, and hope to see a lot of you out there. The Sanford parade starts at 10 a.m. and heads right down Main Street.

During the Sanford parade, and at the other Independence Day parades across York County and all of Maine, we will no doubt be seeing American flags of all shapes and sizes. It’s always a beautiful display of enthusiasm and appreciation for our freedoms. As we reach to wave and display our flags, though, it is a good time to review the rules of flag etiquette that help to ensure we are treating these symbols of our country with the respect they deserve.

For flags that are being carried or displayed during a ceremony this year, please remember that the flag, when carried in a procession with another flag or flags, should be either on the marching right; that is, the flag’s own right, or, if there is a line of other flags, in front of the center of that line. No other flag or pennant should be placed above or, if on the same level, to the right of the flag of the United States of America. No other country’s flag should ever be flown in a position of superior prominence or honor to, or in place of, the flag of the United States at any place within the United States.

If you are displaying a flag at your home or business, it should be illuminated at night and taken down during inclement weather. When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union should be uppermost and to the flag’s own right, that is, to the observer’s left. When displayed in a window, the flag should be displayed in the same way, with the union or blue field to the left of the observer in the street. And, when a flag is lowered, it should never touch the ground.

These are only a few of the rules governing flag etiquette, but if you are interested you can read more at usflag.org.

In addition to the reminders about flag etiquette, I wanted to share with you a fun Fourth of July-related tidbit I learned about our state’s history. Did you know the cornerstone for Maine’s State House was laid on the Fourth of July in 1829? It was laid on this date in a ceremony, and construction on the building continued until 1832, when, upon completion of the building, our State Capital was officially moved from Portland to Augusta.

There’s a lot more interesting history about our State House, and if you haven’t been up to Augusta to visit it, I encourage you to do so. It’s free to take a tour of the State House, and you can arrange one either as an individual or as a group. The State House is a public building, so you are welcome to simply visit on your own without a tour guide from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. To arrange a guided tour of the State House, call 287-2301. The Legislature is out of session right now, so the halls are quieter and you can take more time to enjoy the portraits, the Hall of Flags, and even the fossils in the State House’s stone flooring. If you want to see a legislative debate, you’ll have to wait until next winter when lawmakers return.

As always, if you have questions about anything written in this column or want to discuss a state or legislative matter, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can reach me at dcwoodsome@gmail.com or 432-5643.

— State Sen. David Woodsome, R-Waterboro, represents Senate District 33, which includes Cornish, Limerick, Newfield, Parsonfield, Sanford, Shapleigh and Waterboro.

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