Two days before Election Day, I was driving out of my neighborhood and saw one of my neighbors putting an American flag up on his garage.

I kept driving and noticed another guy up the road who has a faded Old Glory attached to his patio roof.

It's seen brighter days, but it still looks nice.

My neighbor, Mr. Perfect has a dedicated, 20-foot flag pole with a light at the bottom. He's up to speed with the rules, no doubt.

I remembered that at Celebration Park they have a nice big flag by the ball fields. It's about 8' x 16' and it's a beauty.

But passing through the Weyerhaeuser Campus, I had to stop to take a picture of the grand daddy of all the local Star Spangled Banners. I don't know how tall the pole is, but the gorgeous flag must be 20 x 40 feet.

I hurried to New Lumber and I bought one of the last flag and pole kits they had and brought it home. After I had installed the mount on the fascia above my garage, I climbed back up the ladder with the flag on its six foot pole, I secured it and then leaned back on the ladder to watch as the breeze unfurled the 3 x 5 symbol of freedom, liberty and all things American.

A warm feeling came over me as I contemplated all the things the American Flag stands for, and I felt a rush of pride in it, in the beauty of its colors and configuration.

Then I got down off of the ladder before I forgot where I was and decided to salute. This is the first time I have had my own American flag, so I wanted to know more about how to display it. I had to read up on the subject.

Turns out there is such a thing as the "United States Flag Code."

These advisory rules for the display and care of the flag are public laws, but are not widely enforced and to date there is apparently no penalty for failure to comply with those rules.

There are efforts to establish "Flag Desecration" amendments, but no law yet exists.

Still, there are quite a lot of curious customs associated with the use and display of our flag. I will condense it here as I am mostly interested in how to behave with a flag on one's house, business, car or private person.

The Flag should never be used as a covering for a ceiling.

The Flag should never be used for any advertising purpose.

It should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except as a patch on the uniforms of military personnel, police or firefighters or for members of patriotic organizations.

Do not draw on your flag, or pin anything to it.

Never step on the flag nor drape it over a vehicle, train or boat.

When a United States flag is lowered, no part may touch the ground or anything else except waiting arms, (I like this part, especially) where it must be folded ceremoniously. You can fly your flag at night, but it should be illuminated.

The flag must not be hung during rain or violent weather unless it is an "all-weather flag."

Also, it should be mended and cleaned if it has become tattered. When it is no longer suitable as a symbol of the United States, it should be destroyed in a dignified manner, preferably by burning.

On this note, it is important to clarify that the burning of an American flag, when done as a matter of protestation is illegal in most states, but a 1989 Supreme Court decision (Johnson V Texas) ruled those laws unconstitutional.

In other words, just to be safe, burn it if it's tattered beyond mending, but do it with dignity and don't disrespect it.

Burning a modern flag of any sort can be hazardous, though. Nylon and polyester, the most common materials used, are toxic to breathe.

Look up your local VFW Hall or Elks Lodge. Some may be equipped with special incinerators just for this purpose.

Also, local Boy Scout and Girl Scout groups may have access to an incinerator. There are groups who advocate recycling of flags, but there is no law regarding it.

If you still prefer to dispose of your flag by burning, use a burn barrel or outdoor firepit. Get the fire hot, but not too large, then put the tattered Old Glory on the coals in a rectangle and, if you wish, sing, play or whistle the National Anthem. It's the patriotic thing to do.

If you want your own flag, drop by New Lumber and Hardware. If they don't have one, they will be happy to order you one.