I agree with Inga Mae Urke's letter, "Don't tolerate illegal aliens" (Public Forum, Nov. 2) and I am just as proud of my Norwegian grandparents and their dedication and patriotism to America. But her comment that she flies her Norwegian flag always below our American flag caught my eye.
Public Law 344, passed by the 1994 Congress, is known as the Federal Flag Code. It is the guide for all handling and display of the United States flag. It states, "When flags of two or more nations are displayed they should be flown from separate staffs of the same height and the flags should be of approximately equal size."
International Flag Code states, "Flags of one nation shall not have predominance over the flags of another nation; therefore they shall be flown from their own staff." State flags and banners of cities or societies can be flown under the American flag. No flag or pennant should be placed above the United States flag except during church services conducted by naval chaplains at sea, when the church pennant may be flown above the flag during church services for navy personnel.
In driving through Montevideo, I see a Canadian flag being flown below the United States flag. In Milan a Norwegian flag is flown below the United States flag. It is apparent these people do not know their flag etiquette, but I wonder if these people realize that they are belittling the other nation by having them below the American flag.
Ivey Vonderharr Madison
