Flag World at St. Louis Outlet Mall in Hazelwood Provides Tips for Flying the American Flag this July 4th

Independence Day is just days away, which means the BBQ grills will soon start heating up, fireworks displays will soon illuminate the sky, and the American flag will soon be proudly displayed in front of millions of our nation’s homes and businesses.  With a major cable network apologizing for inappropriately depicting an American flag as a tablecloth, Flag World at St. Louis Outlet Mall in Hazelwood, the retailer’s only Missouri store, is offering some DOs and DON’Ts for the proper treatment of Old Glory. 

DOs

• DO make the American flag the most prominently displayed when flown among other flags.
• DO place the American flag at the top when multiple flags are flown from the same flagpole.
• DO wear your American flag lapel pin on your left lapel because it is nearest your heart.
• DO display the flag between sunrise and sunset only. If it stays up overnight, it should be illuminated.
• DO face the flag when it passes during a parade or procession.
• DO face the flag during the Star Spangled Banner or Pledge of Allegiance and place your right hand over your heart. 
• DO clean and mend the flag as needed.

DON’Ts

• DON’T let the flag touch the ground or any other object when lowered.  It should be received by waiting hands that will fold it neatly and ceremoniously for storage.
• DON’T use the flag as a drapery or any other decoration.
• DON’T use the flag for advertising purposes.
• DON’T fly the flag upside-down.  This is done only as a distress signal.

“Fourth of July is one of the most patriotic days of the year,” says Wael Malhas, co-owner of Flag World.  “And since the flag is the most recognizable symbol of our patriotism, our pride and our nation’s history, it’s critical that it be treated with the utmost care and respect.”

Retro flags such as the original Betsy Ross flag, the Gadsden flag as well as Civil War flags will also be flying high this Independence Day. These flags, available at Flag World, are part of a hot new trend in patriotism because of the added history they convey.  To celebrate patriotism with other flags, Flag World also carries flags for all branches of the military, flags of all 50 states and even flags from other countries. 

Flag World is family-owned and operated and is located at Entrance 2 between The Children’s Place and Bed, Bath & Beyond.  For more information, call (314) 227-5359 or visit their website at www.flagworldinc.com.  Regular store hours are Monday – Saturday from 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.; and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

About St. Louis Outlet Mall
St. Louis Outlet Mall is a local and regional shopping and entertainment destination featuring Old Navy Outlet, Nike Factory Store, Banana Republic Outlet, Gap Outlet, Tommy Hilfiger Outlet, Bed, Bath and Beyond, and Missouri’s only Cabela’s, to name a few. This 1.2 million square foot venue offers a complete family shopping experience with The Children’s Place Outlet, Gymboree Outlet, Justice Outlet, and Crazy 8. On the entertainment side, St. Louis Outlet Mall boasts the region’s largest skate park, Plan Nine; the region’s only NASCAR Speedpark; the St. Louis Ice Zone, the official practice facility of the St. Louis Blues; as well as great restaurants such as Tony Roma’s, Johnny Rockets, and Chevy’s Fresh Mex.  St. Louis Outlet Mall opened in 2003 and is located in Hazelwood at 5555 St. Louis Mills Blvd.  For more information call (314) 227-5900 or visit www.stlouisoutletmall.com.