Saturday, June 14, marks Flag Day, the federal holiday that commemorates the adoption of the United States flag. The observation of the holiday offers a moment to recognize the hard work of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville staff members who provide day-to-day care for the flags on campus.
Since the SIUE campus was established in 1957, operating engineers have been caring for the United States Flag. Today, a team of 20 operating engineers share the responsibility of caring for the two flags on campus, located on the Stratton Quadrangle at the center of Hairpin Drive and at Korte Stadium.
They are responsible for procuring and caring for the U.S. flag in accordance with the United States Flag Code. The Flag Code provides detailed instructions handling and care of the flag including:
- Position and manner of display
- Respect for flag
- Conduct during hoisting, lowering or passing of flag
The team of operating engineers also observes the Flag Code regulation regarding disposal of the flag, stating “when a flag is so tattered that it no longer fits to serve as a symbol of the United States, it should be destroyed in a dignified manner, preferably by burning.”
When the flags displayed on campus become worn or torn beyond repair, they are sent to the American Legion or American Heritage for ceremonial disposal.
Each time an operating engineer joins the team, he or she receives instruction in the proper handling and care of the flag.
“We provide a detailed pamphlet of information to the operating engineers,” said Brian Weiler, lead plant operating engineer. “About half of the operating engineers are retired from the military so they have some familiarity with the flag rules, but we want to make sure we do everything right.”
The records of military service among the team add significant meaning to another one of the flag responsibilities – lowering the flag to honor fallen soldiers. In accordance with the Illinois Flag Display Act, flags are flown at half-staff day of the funeral of every fallen Illinois soldier and the two days preceding that day.
In these instances, Kenn Neher, vice chancellor for administration, receives notification from the Office of the Governor through the Illinois Board of Higher Education that Governor Pat Quinn has issued a proclamation that the United States Flag should be flown at half-staff. The proclamation is forwarded to the engineers and, in accordance with the Flag Code, the flags on campus are lowered.
“You feel a sense of patriotism when you raise and lower the flag because you understand the reasons for it,” said Weiler. “When we are instructed to lower the flag to half-staff, I always make sure to learn the serviceman or servicewoman’s name of who passed away out of respect. If anyone asked, we want to be able to tell them the reason we are moving the flag.”