By Zachary Gibson
An event occurs twice a day on BYU campus that is often looked upon as a simple tradition, when in fact, there is more to it. The national anthem is blasted from atop the Harold B. Lee Library at 7:35 a.m. and 5:35 p.m. as the flag of the United States is raised and lowered.
Even though many students and faculty believe the daily ritual is an ancient BYU tradition, the practice is actually an attempt to conform to the U.S. Flag Code.
'I assumed it was just a tradition on campus,' said Janay Garrett, a 21-year-old junior from Bothell, Wash. 'I only started stopping because I noticed that everyone else did.'
Garrett''s belief is one had by many within the BYU community who are not familiar with national policies outlining proper respect to the U.S. flag.
The misunderstanding isn''t isolated to the BYU campus. The National Flag Foundation is a private organization with a mission to educate the entire nation as to the significance and meaning of the U.S. flag and the proper manner to show respect it.
The U.S. Flag Code states 'during rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. Men not in uniform should remove their with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should render the military salute at the first note of the anthem and retain this position until the last note. When the flag is not displayed, those present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed there.'
While most American students at BYU are familiar with patriotic customs of the United States, the BYU community is also home to many students and faculty whose native lands share different beliefs.
'There are a lot of international students at BYU and they aren''t necessarily under requirement to respect the flag the way Americans do,' said Michelle Hall, 19, a freshman from West Jordan. 'Americans aren''t under requirement to respect the flag either. Even though I think they should, they have the First Amendment right not to.'
Some students say they occasionally stop but won''t on days when they are in a hurry, late or if it there is bad weather. Others said they stop because they don''t want to be the only one walking when everyone else is stopped.
'I stop because I want to,' said Jacob Morris, a 21-year-old from Ashland, Ore. 'But honestly, I stop partly because I don''t want to be the only one who doesn''t stop and show respect.'
Through efforts of BYU administration, an official statement clarified the university''s policy regarding the flag located in front of the Abraham Smoot Administration Building. A press release dated January 2003 came as a reminder that 'students, faculty and staff who stop to stand at attention when the flag is being raised and lowered and the national anthem is being played each day, rain or shine, may not realize that they are adhering to a Congressionally mandated Flag Code in the United States Code.'
Cadets in the Air Force and Army ROTC take turns participating in the color guard during the regular academic year, while physical plant employees take over the responsibility during the summer months.
Master Sergeant Daniel Bullock said on military bases and on other government establishments, adherence to the Flag Code is not optional.
'If you are on a military post anywhere, everything ceases,' Bullock said. 'Even if you are in your car, you put your car in park and get out.'
The stirring sound of the national anthem can be heard across campus and beyond Monday through Friday. The two-minute break provides the BYU community with a time to reflect on the freedoms the flag represents. While the opportunity is optional, it is strongly encouraged by BYU administration and by the nation''s leaders.
A quote by President George W. Bush on the National Flag Foundation Web site demonstrates the underlying principle of American patriotic acts.
'Showing respect for the American flag shows reverence for American ideals,' President Bush said. 'Every action you take will strengthen the bonds of the community that unite all Americans and extends the promise of American life to another citizen.'