Official Ritual of the Disabled American Veterans Miscellaneous

Ocial Ritual

of the

Disabled American Veterans

Miscellaneous

Approved Flag Customs

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Ocial Ritual

DAV Chapter Meeting Arrangements ................ 2

DAV Chapter Meeting Short Form

Order of Business .............................................. 3

Government of Meetings ................................... 3

DAV Chapter Meeting Order of Business .......... 4

Obligation of New Members .............................. 7

Memorial Ceremony ........................................ 10

Installation of Officers ...................................... 12

Burial Procedure .............................................. 16

Chapel Service ................................................ 19

Service at the Grave ........................................ 22

Committal ........................................................ 24

Miscellaneous

Official DAV Caps ............................................ 27

Official DAV Uniforms ...................................... 29

History of DAV Emblem ................................... 31

Approved Flag Customs .................................. 33

How to Display the Flag .............................. 33

Time and Occasions for Display .................. 33

Position and Manner of Display .................. 34

Respect for Flag .......................................... 40

Conduct During Hoisting, Lowering

or Passing of Flag ....................................... 41

OFFICIAL RITUAL

The DAV opening ceremony is a traditional

and time-honored procedure. It is particularly

appropriate on special occasions. It is included

here as a part of the suggested order of

business for those chapters wishing to utilize it.

Its omission or modification consistent with good

taste is a matter for chapter determination.

DAV CHAPTER MEETING ARRANGEMENTS

Commander

Altar

TreasurerAdjutant

Chaplain

Junior Vice

Commander

Ocer of

the Day

Sergeant

at Arms

Senior Vice

Commander

Guests Guests

GuestsGuests

Guests

GuestsGuests

Chapter

Colors

National

Colors

(Rear)

(Front)

Members/

Visitors

Members/

Visitors

Members/

Visitors

Members/

Visitors

Members/

Visitors

Members/

Visitors

Members/

Visitors

Members/

Visitors

Members/

Visitors

Members/

Visitors

Members/

Visitors

Members/

Visitors

Members/

Visitors

Members/

Visitors

Members/

Visitors

Members/

Visitors

Members/

Visitors

Members/

Visitors

Members/

Visitors

Members/

Visitors

Members/

Visitors

DAV CHAPTER MEETING

SHORT FORM ORDER OF BUSINESS

1. Opening Ceremony.

2. Roll Call of Officers.

3. Introduction of Visitors.

4. Reading Minutes Last Meeting.

5. Treasurer’s Report.

6. Bills Against the Chapter.

7. Sickness and Distress.

8. Application for Membership.

(and action thereon)

9. Introduction New Members.

10. Reading of Communications.

11. Reports of Committees.

12. Unfinished Business.

13. New Business.

14. Good of the Order.

15. Memorial Ceremony.

16. Adjournment, with Closing Ceremonies.

GOVERNMENT OF MEETINGS

Rules of procedure of chapter meetings will

be those that are set forth by Robert’s Rules of

Order, Revised, except as otherwise provided

for.

DAV CHAPTER MEETING

ORDER OF BUSINESS

COMMANDER:

Raps gavel, calling meeting to order.

(Assembly remains seated.)

Raps gavel three times. (All rise.)

“Comrades, you are called to order for the

opening ceremonies.”

COMMANDER:

“Comrades, ATTENTION! All members

and guests who are veterans will give the

hand salute and all others place your right

hand over your heart.”

“Please join me in giving the Pledge of

Allegiance to the Flag.”

“I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United

States of America and to the Republic for

which it stands, one Nation under God,

indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

“TWO!”

COMMANDER:

“Comrades, we will now be led in prayer by

our Chaplain.”

CHAPLAIN:

(Recommended Prayer)

“God, be merciful unto us, and bless us.

Cause Your Face to shine upon us that Your

way may be known upon earth, and Thy saving

strength among all people. Let the people be

glad and sing for joy, for You shalt judge them

righteously, and govern the Nations upon

earth. Especially do we pray that we may have

Your guidance to the end that we may each

of us rmly uphold the great principles of this

organization. Amen.”

COMMANDER: (Optional)

“As a physical symbol of the thousands

of American POW/MIAs still unaccounted for

from all wars and conicts involving the United

States of America, at this time, the Chaplain

will place the POW/MIA ag on the empty

chair—a reminder for all of us to spare no eort

to secure the release of any American prisoners

from captivity, the repatriation of the remains

of those who died bravely in defense of liberty

and a full accounting of those missing. Let us

all rededicate ourselves to this vital endeavor.”

COMMANDER:

(Raps gavel once, seating audience.)

“As a reminder, we are here to address

only matters specic to our organization. All

discussions must be relevant to our mission

statement, which I will now read.”

“We are dedicated to a single purpose:

empowering veterans to lead high-quality lives

with respect and dignity. We accomplish this

by ensuring that veterans and their families

can access the full range of benets available

to them, ghting for the interests of America’s

injured heroes on Capitol Hill and educating the

public about the great sacrices and needs of

veterans transitioning back to civilian life.

This mission is carried forward by:

Providing free, professional assistance to

veterans and their families in obtaining benets

and services earned through military service

and provided by the Department of Veterans

Aairs and other agencies of government.

Providing outreach concerning its program

services to the American people generally,

and to disabled veterans and their families

specically.

Representing the interests of disabled

veterans, their families, their widowed

spouses and their orphans before Congress,

the White House and the Judicial Branch, as

well as state and local government.

Extending DAV’s mission of hope into the

communities where these veterans and their

families live, through a network of state-level

departments and local chapters.

Providing a structure through which disabled

veterans can express their compassion for

their fellow veterans through a variety of

volunteer programs.”

“I now declare this meeting open for the

transaction of such business as may rightfully

come before it.”

COMMANDER:

“Comrade Adjutant, you will call the roll of

ocers.”

COMMANDER (After introducing visitors.)

“Comrade Adjutant, you will read the minutes

of the last meeting.”

COMMANDER:

“Are there any omissions or corrections?

“Hearing none, the minutes will stand approved

as read.”

COMMANDER:

“We will now hear the Treasurer’s Report.”

COMMANDER:

“Comrade Chaplain, are there any reports on

sickness or distress.”

COMMANDER:

“Comrade Adjutant, do we have any new

members present or are there any members

present who have not received the obligation?”

OBLIGATION OF NEW MEMBERS

When members are to be obligated, military

procedure is to be observed throughout the

ceremony. Talking, smoking and moving about

the room, except in the performance of duty,

are forbidden.

COMMANDER:

“Comrade Ocer of the Day, conduct the new

members to the rostrum.”

OFFICER OF THE DAY:

(Brings new members to rostrum.)

COMMANDER:

“Members, at EASE! On behalf of the

Disabled American Veterans, I welcome you.

Let me declare our purpose as a national

veterans organization.

“First,—To uphold and maintain the

Constitution and the laws of the United States.

“Second,—To realize the American aims and

ideals for which we fought.

“Third,—To promote the welfare of disabled

American veterans.

“Fourth,—To cooperate with the Department

of Veterans Aairs and all other public and

private agencies devoted to our cause.

“Fifth,—To apply the principles of

comradeship, loyalty and devotion, particularly

among all disabled American veterans and their

spouses, their orphans and their dependents.

“Sixth,—To encourage in all people that spirit

of understanding which will guard against future

wars.”

COMMANDER:

“Comrades, ATTENTION!” (Raps gavel three

times. All rise.)

“Comrade Ocer of the Day, you may now

retire. Members, raise your right hand and

repeat after me.”

“In the presence of Almighty God, and my

comrades here assembled, I promise and

declare that I will always uphold and maintain

the Constitution, and laws of the United States

of America; and I will always show the proper

courtesies to the ag of our nation, and give

to it the love and devotion it merits. I further

promise, insofar as feasible, always to aid and

assist any disabled comrade; that I will always

uphold the integrity and character of a comrade

veteran; that I will do my best to exemplify the

principles of comradeship, loyalty and devotion.

I further pledge that I will support and obey the

Constitution and Bylaws of the national, state,

and local organization. All of which I now arm.”

“Comrades, you may now lower your hands.”

COMMANDER:

(Raps gavel once; audience is seated.)

“My comrades, on behalf of this chapter, I

welcome you as members. I invite you to take

an active part in its activities, and expect you to

attend its meetings.”

(Commander shakes hands with each new

member and asks the new members to state

their names to those present.)

(Applause, as new members nd seats in

audience.)

COMMANDER:

“The Adjutant will read the communications.”

COMMANDER:

“We will now have the reports of committees.”

Membership Committee; Service Ocer;

Hospital Committee; Legislative Committee;

Publicity Committee; (Other Committees).

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

NEW BUSINESS:

COMMANDER:

“Let us hear the reading of the minutes of the

Executive Committee.”

GOOD OF THE ORDER:

MEMORIAL CEREMONY

COMMANDER:

“At this time, one minute of silence will be

devoted in honor of our departed comrades.”

COMMANDER:

“Comrades, you will rise and stand at

Attention.”

(Raps gavel three times.)

“By the numbers, hand SALUTE!” (If worn,

DAV caps are not removed.)

“May they rest in peace. TWO!”

COMMANDER:

Motion to adjourn.

COMMANDER:

“Comrade Chaplain, you will lead us in

prayer.”

CHAPLAIN:

“May the peace of God, which passes all

understanding, keep our hearts and minds in

the knowledge and love of God, and now unto

the Eternal and All-wise Creator of the Universe,

and Preserver of our nation, be honor and glory

forever and ever. Amen.”

COMMANDER:

“Comrades, the purpose of our gathering here

has been accomplished, but before we close,

let us always be mindful of the principles for

which this organization stands: comradeship;

friendship; loyalty to principle and to our

comrades; and devotion to our cause.

COMMANDER:

“Before I declare you adjourned, it is tting

and proper that we again render honor to the

ag of our country.”

(Raps gavel three times; all rise.)

COMMANDER:

“Comrades, before us is the ag of our

country. Let us always be true to its ideals and

worthy of its exalted traditions.”

“Comrades, ATTENTION; by the numbers,

hand SALUTE!”

(All members and guests who are veterans

salute; others place their right hand over their

heart.)

“TWO!”

COMMANDER:

“I now declare this meeting of

Chapter, number , Disabled

American Veterans, adjourned. Our next

meeting will be held on

”

INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS

(The retiring commander or a state or national

ocer, or a past chapter commander may act

as Installing Ocer, if then a DAV member

in good standing. The incoming commander

usually selects the installing ocer; he or she is

introduced by the retiring commander.)

(Frequently, the commander-elect also selects

a master of ceremonies, in addition to the

installing ocer, who, preceding the installation

ceremonies, introduces the distinguished guests,

and representatives of other chapters and

organizations present, and then, the installing

ocer. The installing ocer may also act as

Master of Ceremonies.)

(The installation meeting is opened by the

retiring commander, who then announces: “If

there is no objection, we will dispense with

all business except the installation of ocers.

Hearing none, it is so ordered.” He or she may

then make a few remarks, such as thanking

his or her ocers and committees, and briey

outline the accomplishments of the chapter

during his or her term of oce, and then

introduces the master of ceremonies.)

(Invitations are usually sent to department

ocers, nearby national ocers, and to nearby

chapters, local veterans organizations and

selected public ocials.)

(If the local DAV Auxiliary unit is to install on

the same night, the Auxiliary is usually oered

the courtesy of installing rst. If there is to be

a dual installation, of both the chapter and

Auxiliary, speeches or remarks should be brief,

so that the combined ceremonies will not extend

beyond a reasonable hour of adjournment.)

(Persons not present at the installation

ceremonies may either be installed at a later

meeting, or may be installed by proxy—a

member being designated by the retiring

commander to take the place of the absentee.)

INSTALLING OFFICER:

“The Ocer of the Day will take his (or her)

place to the right of the Altar. The Adjutant will

call the roll of the newly elected or appointed

ocers. As your name is called, you will take

your place to the left of the Ocer of the Day.”

(When all have presented themselves to the

left of the ocer of the day and are facing the

installing ocer, the installing ocer will say:)

“Your comrades in the Disabled American

Veterans have great condence in your moral

integrity and your executive ability. Because of

that condence, they have elected or appointed

you to your respective oces. Do you accept

the oce to which you have been elected or

appointed?”

NEW OFFICERS:

“We do”

INSTALLING OFFICER:

“Are you ready to receive the oath of oce?”

NEW OFFICERS:

“We are.”

INSTALLING OFFICER:

(Entire assembly rises at three raps of the

gavel) “Raise your right hand, say I, state your

full name and repeat after me.”

“I,

upon my word and

honor, as a member of the Disabled American

Veterans, in the presence of Almighty God and

my comrades, and before the ag of my country,

accept the oce to which I have been elected

or appointed. I promise to perform the duties of

such oce to the best of my ability. I pledge to

act and conduct myself, in such a manner, at all

times and places, as will only aect the good of

the order. I promise to enforce and sustain the

Constitution and Bylaws of this organization.

When my successor has been duly elected, or

appointed, and installed, I promise to surrender

to him or her, all the property of the order, in my

possession. All of which, I now arm.”

INSTALLING OFFICER:

“Upon the promise you have just solemnly

made, I now install you in the oce to which

you have been elected or appointed. I charge

you to be earnest, faithful and devoted, and

to remember that our mission as a Disabled

American Veterans organization is not fullled

until all our country’s war-time disabled, and

their dependents and survivors, have been

adequately cared for.” (One rap of the gavel

seats audience.)

“Newly installed ocers, about FACE!”

“My comrades, I now present to you, your

newly installed ocers.” (Applause.)

INSTALLING OFFICER:

“Ocer of the Day, escort the newly installed

ocers to their respective stations, leaving

the Commander to the last.” (Ocers remain

standing.)

INSTALLING OFFICER:

(To newly installed commander.) “I now

hand you the gavel, which is the symbol of

your oce.” (They salute. The new commander

then introduces the newly installed ocers,

starting with the senior vice commander, and, as

introduced, each ocer salutes, and is seated.)

NOTE: The retiring commander, now

the junior past commander, or the installing

ocer, presents the new commander with the

commander’s lapel emblem or badge, with

appropriate, brief remarks. This is followed

by presentation of a past commander’s ring,

emblem or badge to the retiring commander.

BURIAL PROCEDURE

1. Before the funeral.

When a death has occurred among the

members of the chapter, it becomes the

immediate duty of the chapter chaplain to

call on the bereaved family and oer words

of sympathy and consolation and also the

services of the chapter at the funeral, if

desired. The service ocer should assist in

obtaining the government ag and oer his or

her services in obtaining death compensation

and burial awards.

2. When requested to ociate.

The Disabled American Veterans are duty-

bound to members of their own organization;

but this shall not be construed to mean that they

may not ociate at the funeral of any veteran,

if they are requested to do so by members of

the family of the deceased, or by friends of the

family on their behalf.

When the presence of the chapter is

requested, the funeral committee should visit

with family or friends of the family in order

to learn their wishes. Every eort should be

made to carry out the wishes of the deceased.

Contact should also be made with the ociating

clergyman and the funeral director in order that

there be no conict in the program.

3. At the services.

The services should begin exactly at the

time appointed. Tardiness on the part of the

comrades should be avoided.

4. The ag.

When used to cover a casket, the ag

should be placed so that the Union (stars) is

at the head and over the left shoulder of the

deceased.

The ag should not be lowered into the

grave, nor allowed to touch the ground. After

the committal ceremony at the grave, the

ocer of the day, or in his or her absence, the

commander and another member, removes

and folds the ag, and hands it to the surviving

spouse or other representative of the family of

the deceased.

5. Caps.

If worn, DAV caps should only be removed

when entering any consecrated church (except

where, by the custom of the church, a person

would not remove his or her hat) and during the

oering of prayer.

6. Chapel service.

DAV chapters are frequently asked to take

part in, or assume full charge of, funeral services

to be held in a funeral home or mortuary or

cemetery chapel, or in connection with the

Rosary service of members of the Catholic faith.

Arrangements should be made in advance

with the funeral director to reserve sucient

seats in front of the chapel for DAV members.

Members should remain outside of the chapel,

or in the anteroom, until immediately prior to the

commencement of the services, and then march

in, in smart military formation (usually a column

of twos) and take the seats reserved for them.

Arrangements should be made in advance

with the funeral director (or the pastor, for a

Rosary service) to place stands for the colors,

usually with the national ag at the head and

the chapter colors at the foot of the casket.

Generally, it is desirable to have the colors

posted in advance of the services.

If the chapter should attend a Catholic

Requiem Funeral Mass or funeral services in

any place of worship used by a particular faith

group, arrangements should be made with the

pastor, including placing of stands for the colors.

The members line up in two les, outside the

church, facing the center, with the colors closest

to the church doors. As the casket is carried in,

color guards precede the casket, and after the

casket is carried through the double le, the

commander says: “Close RANKS, front FACE,

forward MARCH!” and the Chapter follows

immediately behind the casket, in columns

of two, into the church. After the Mass, the

members follow the colors, in columns of two,

ahead of the casket.

CHAPEL SERVICE

(Read paragraph 6, above, “Chapel Service.”)

The DAV Chapel service follows after any

religious or fraternal service. The DAV Chapel

Service is not usually held in a consecrated,

established church. The Commander and

Chaplain take positions beside the casket.

COMMANDER:

“Comrades and friends, our Supreme

Commander has seen t to call another of

our comrades to answer the nal roll call.

Comrade

.”

(NOTE: here state names, dates of entry into

services, of discharge, military organization,

rank, etc; also brief history of DAV membership,

oces held, etc.)

“Comrade

died

on (GIVE DATE OF DEATH) from disabilities

incurred in the service of his (or her) country.

(Omit if inappropriate.) “For many thousands of

veterans who served in time of conict, and who,

like our comrade lying here before us, suered

disabilities as a result of their service, a war

never ends until a merciful God sees t to call

them to their eternal reward. No one knows the

full extent of their physical suering. Few realize

the economic handicaps they have been forced

to endure during the many long years that they

have been paying the price of their patriotism.

“Perhaps we members of the Disabled

American Veterans, from our own experiences

and close, constant contacts with the suerings

of our comrades, can best understand a

philosophy of death that brings us a large

measure of consolation. For surely, a merciful

and just God could not do other than provide

a life of future happiness for our departed

comrade, as a recompense for the many trials

and tribulations he (or she) endured here on

earth. It is this thought that gives us the courage

to mark our comrade’s passing without tears,

secure in the knowledge that he (or she) is not

dead, but rather, has gone on to something

innitely better than his (or her) happiest

moments on earth: that he (or she) has been

discharged from this earthly army and accepted

for service in that glorious army of the hosts of

heaven, where we may hope eventually to join

him (or her) in eternal peace.”

COMMANDER:

“Comrades, ATTENTION!” (All rise.)

(If worn, place caps at left shoulder.)

CHAPLAIN:

“Heavenly Father, in Your hands are the souls

of the living and the dead. Remember, O God,

we pray You, the soul of our departed comrade,

and conduct it into the place You have prepared

for it, in Your Heavenly Kingdom. Bestow Your

blessing and extend Your healing power to those

of our comrades who are still suering from

the tragedy of war. Lift up the hearts of those

burdened with sorrow. Unto Your Name be all

honor and glory, forever and ever. Amen.”

COMMANDER:

“Comrades, ATTENTION! (Replace caps.)

You will join me in a salute to our departed

comrade. By the numbers: Hand SALUTE!

TWO! Follow me, MARCH!” (Color guards take

colors. Members leave in single le, the color

guards rst, then the commander, the chaplain

and the members. Usually, the members pass

the open casket on leaving; if so, each stops,

comes to attention, salutes, and then passes

forward.)

(The members re-form in a column of twos,

outside the chapel, or on leaving the church;

the commander and chaplain being immediately

behind the colors.)

COMMANDER:

“Comrades, ATTENTION! Forward MARCH!”

(Column precedes to a point near the

hearse.) “HALT! Open ranks!” (Members stand

in two les, facing inward, leaving space for

passage of con.)

(When casket approaches:)

“Comrades, ATTENTION! By the numbers,

hand SALUTE!”

(After the casket is completely in the hearse.)

“TWO!”

Close RANKS! Front, FACE! Forward,

MARCH!”

(After marching a respectful distance from the

hearse:)

“HALT! DISMISSED!”

SERVICE AT THE GRAVE

The members should fall in, in a column

of twos, a respectful distance away from

the hearse. The colors should be in front,

followed by the commander, the chaplain and

the bugler, then by the ring squad, followed

by the members.

COMMANDER:

“Comrades! ATTENTION! Forward, MARCH!”

(The column marches to one side of the

grave, when the commander says:)

“Column, HALT! Right (or left) FACE!”

(The color guards take position at the foot

of the grave; the ring squad is to the right; the

commander, chaplain and bugler stand at the

head of the grave. The family is on one side of

the grave, with the family and guests behind

them. DAV members stand in double le on

opposite side, facing grave, at attention.

COMMANDER:

“We are assembled here to oer our last

tribute of respect and aection to our departed

comrade, (name of deceased). As the years toll

by, we note with sorrow and regret, as the ranks

of veterans diminish. One by one our comrades

leave us; one by one they pass into the great

beyond to join the company of heroic men and

women who have defended our country under

arms. Their departure leaves our hearts heavy

with sorrow. Assembled here beside the nal

resting place of our departed comrade, (name

of deceased), let us give heed to the words of

our chaplain.” (If worn, place DAV caps at left

shoulder. The ring squad and color guard come

to position of parade rest, with bowed heads.)

CHAPLAIN:

“O, Lord our God, Whose days are without

end, and Whose mercy is everlasting. You are

the refuge of our souls, the strength of our

lives, and our portion forever. We come to You;

we trust in You; let us not be confounded nor

dismayed.

“God of Battles! Author of Peace! As our

comrades depart to be with You, and we march

on with broken ranks, help us to be faithful

to their memory, and loyal to the Spirit that

animated them. Help us to perpetuate their

memory by noble consecration to their ideals.

In comradeship, loyalty and devotion may we

continue worthy of their sacred memory.

“O, Lord, in Your goodness and mercy, grant

unto bereaved family and friends comfort and

consolation.

“Prepare, O God, we pray You, our minds

and hearts for this life with all its vicissitudes

and responsibilities, for death with all its mystery

and solemnity, and bring us nally through

Your Grace into the reunited comradeship of

everlasting life. World without end.

“AMEN!” (Replace caps.)

COMMITTAL

OFFICER OF THE DAY:

“Squad, ATTENTION! Present, ARMS!”

COMMANDER:

“Comrades, parade, REST!”

(If worn, DAV caps are removed, placed over

the left shoulder; color guards, ring squad

assume parade rest; all bow heads.)

CHAPLAIN:

“Death is a path that must be trod, if man

would ever pass to God. Swift to its close ebbs

life’s day; earth’s joys grow dim and fade away;

change and decay alone we see.

Though we walk through the valley of the

shadow of Death; we will fear no evil, for You are

with us. Veteran of war, well done! Your glorious

warfare’s past. The battle’s fought, the race is

won, and you are crowned at last.

“Our comrade lies down to rest awhile, under

the arching sky, awaiting the bugle’s call. Behold

the silver cord is loosed; the golden bowl is

broken.

(As earth or owers are cast on the con.)

“We therefore commit his (or her) body to

the grave, earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust

to dust, looking for resurrection and eternal life,

to the honor and glory of God forever.

........AMEN!”

COMMANDER:

“Comrades, ATTENTION!”

OFFICER OF THE DAY:

.........Order ARMS.

Order Arms. Prepare TO FIRE.

(With blank ammunition,) LOAD.

READY! AIM! FIRE!

BUGLER:

(Sounds “Taps.” Members come to salute

at rst note, and hold salute until last note

sounded.)

OFFICER OF THE DAY:

(On rst note of “TAPS.”)

“Present ARMS.”

(Then after Taps is sounded.)

“ORDER ARMS.”

COMMANDER:

“Taps are sounded.”

“Lights extinguished.

“Warfare ended.

“Our comrade sleeps.

........Farewell!”

“Comrades, ATTENTION!”

(Flag is removed from casket by body

bearers, folded, and presented to next of kin by

commander, with appropriate statement, such

as: “This ag is oered by a grateful nation in

memory of the faithful service performed by our

departed comrade.”)

COMMANDER:

“Comrades, Fall IN!”

(Color guards take position at extreme end

of double le, followed by commander, chaplain

and bugler, then by ring squad, body bearers

and DAV members.)

“Right (or left) FACE! Forward, MARCH!”

(When column has withdrawn from the grave,

a respectful distance, the commander gives the

command:)

“Column, HALT! DISMISSED!”

(NOTE: If a ring squad is not available, omit

parts following name of ocer set in BOLD

FACE, after “Committal.”)

MISCELLANEOUS

OFFICIAL DAV CAPS

Although not required, ocial DAV caps may

be purchased from National Headquarters.

(NOTE: The copyright, patent of the DAV

emblem, is owned by the DAV National

Headquarters and may not be reproduced

commercially without National Headquarters’

written approval and permission. The emblem is

protected by federal law.)

National Ocers’ Ocial DAV Cap.

Material: serge or whipcord. Style: oversea.

Color: White crown, red sides with gold piping

and gold letters. (Not to be worn by appointive

national ocers after expiration of term of

oce.)

Department Ocers’ Ocial DAV Cap.

Material: serge or whipcord. Style: oversea.

Color: white crown and white sides and gold

lettering, with gold piping. (Not to be worn by

appointive department ocers after expiration

of term of oce.)

Past Department Commanders’ Ocial

DAV Cap. Material: serge or whipcord. Style:

oversea. Color: gold crown and blue sides and

gold lettering, with gold piping.

Ocial DAV Caps for Chapter Ocers

and Members. Material: serge or whipcord.

Style: oversea. Color: Navy blue with gold piping

and gold lettering.

All DAV caps will carry gold embroidered

letters DAV in the triangle-right front—and the

ocial DAV embroidered two-inch DAV emblem

on the left side of the cap 1 1/2 inches from the

front.

Regulations permit the placing on the

wearers’ cap the following: chapter, department,

division insignia, ocers’ titles past and present,

service years (years oce was held) and Life

Member. These may be embroidered in gold, or

patches secured from National Headquarters

may be used.

When wearing the DAV cap, members should

consider themselves to be in uniform.

When attending any DAV chapter or

organization meeting or in attendance at any

patriotic gathering or in public and wearing the

DAV cap, the member should conform to all

military regulations and customs of the armed

forces of the United States insofar as they

pertain to the salute to the national anthem and

the ag of our country.

He or she should hold the salute at the

playing of the national anthem and should hold

the salute at the passing of the colors in parade

if he or she is wearing the DAV cap.

It should be remembered at all times that

the wearing of the DAV cap indicates to our

members and to the public that requirements

of previous honorable military service in the

armed forces of the United States during time

of war have been met. It is a badge of honor.

While wearing the DAV cap, members should

so conduct themselves at all times as to bring

further honor and respect to our organization

and its membership and by such conduct instill

in the mind of the public that condence in

our integrity and reliability so necessary when

called upon for assistance by civil and military

authorities in time of emergency.

No appointive national ocer may wear his or

her national cap except during his or her term of

oce.

When attending a testimonial banquet or

convention banquet, DAV caps are removed

during the eating of the meal.

OFFICIAL DAV UNIFORMS

Material: Dark navy blue serge guaranteed

12 to 24 ozs. in weight, cold water shrunk,

colorfast and indelibly stamped MOTH-

PROOFED. Serge to be 2-ply warp and lling or

any white material suitable for summer wear.

Coat: Single-breasted, four-button sack

with straight front to t easily over chest and

shoulders and to be slightly tted at the waist

so as to conform to the gure. Belt hooks at

waistline. (Eisenhower jacket optional).

Length: Coat to extend about 1 inch below

crotch according to the height of the wearer.

Lapels: Coat to be made with peaked lapels,

and the notch between collar and lapel not to be

wider than 1/2 inch nor narrower than 1/4 inch.

Shoulder Loops: Coat to be tted with

shoulder loops of blue serge nished with

regulation gold and blue silk combination braid.

(Secure braid from DAV National Headquarters.)

Pockets: Two outside patch breast pockets

with box plait in center and scalloped ap to

button. No outside lower pockets, but square

aps to button. Flap to be 2 7/8 inches wide,

8 1/2 inches at top and 8 3/4 inches at bottom.

All pocket aps to be piped with regulation gold

and blue silk combination braid. (Secure from

National Headquarters.) One inside breast and

one inside cash pocket.

Lining: Coat to be half or full lined at option

of wearer with rst quality rayon lining.

Buttons: Regulation blue enameled gold-

plated DAV buttons, which must be purchased

from DAV National Headquarters. All buttons

sewed on, and the four buttons on front

reinforced with small black buttons on the

inside facing.

HISTORY OF DAV EMBLEM

Probably you have seen the DAV emblem

in most of the forms existing today. It appears

on lapel pins, ags and shoulder patches. It

is a familiar part of all DAV caps. It is used on

stationery, ocial documents, awards, plaques,

business cards and many other forms of ocial

DAV material. Ever wonder how or why DAV

adopted its ocial emblem?

Our emblem was selected as the ocial

symbol of the Disabled American Veterans

when our organization was founded, in 1921.

At that time, the organization was known as the

Disabled American Veterans of the World War.

The emblem is a replica of an original etching

drawn and designed by a well known artist

of that day—E. H. Blasheld—at the special

request of President Woodrow Wilson. It was

used as the central design on a certicate which

was presented to every soldier, sailor, and

marine who had been wounded in action during

honorable service in World War I.

The impressive certicate was headed by

the words, “Columbia Gives to Her Son the

Accolade of the New Chivalry of Humanity.”

The emblem was displayed under those colorful

words. Below it, the name of the man and the

unit with which he served was printed, and under

that the following words: “Served With Honor in

the World War and Was Wounded in Action.”

The certicate was signed by President

Woodrow Wilson.

Several characters of importance are in the

design. Our ag, of course, is seen in the right-

hand background.

The woman in the long owing white gown

is Columbia. Who is Columbia? Several years

before the Revolutionary War, many of the

people living in the thirteen colonies felt that

our country should have been named Columbia

after its discoverer, Christopher Columbus.

Throughout the war, poets used the name

“Columbia” to describe their new nation, which

was to become the United States. The name

continued to become popularized after the war,

and a symbolic gure of a woman dressed in

owing garments and holding an American ag

emerged from the pens of artists. It became a

familiar gure for statues and pageants to depict

America. Some people think the statue on the

Capitol dome in Washington, D.C., is Columbia.

But it isn’t. That is a statue called the Statue of

Freedom.

Columbia, in the DAV emblem, is knighting a

World War I soldier. She is honoring him for his

bravery in protecting humanity, and a group of

soldiers stands at attention in the background.

President Wilson and the artist authorized

our organization to use the design for the ocial

emblem of the Disabled American Veterans of

the World War. The emblem was adopted.

One of the original founders of DAV, Judge

Robert S. Marx, applied for and was granted a

patent on the emblem in 1921. It has been used

since that time.

APPROVED FLAG CUSTOMS

How to Display the Flag

The following codication of existing rules and

customs pertaining to the display and use of the

ag of the United States of America is established

for the use of such civilians or civilian groups or

organizations as may not be required to conform

with regulations promulgated by one or more

executive departments of the government of

the United States. The ag of the United States,

for the purpose of this chapter, shall be dened

according to Sections 1 and 2 of Title 4 and

Executive Order 10834 issued pursuant thereto.

Time and Occasions for Display

(a) It is the universal custom to display the

ag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings

and on stationary agstas in the open.

However, when a patriotic eect is desired, the

ag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly

illuminated during the hours of darkness.

(b) The ag should be hoisted briskly and

lowered ceremoniously.

when the weather is inclement, except when an

all-weather ag is displayed.

(d) The ag should be displayed on all days,

especially on New Year’s Day, January 1;

Inauguration Day, January 20; Martin Luther

King Jr.’s birthday, the third Monday in January;

Lincoln’s Birthday, February 12; Washington’s

Birthday, third Monday in February; Easter

Sunday (variable); Mother’s Day, second

Sunday in May; Armed Forces Day, third

Saturday in May; Memorial Day (half-sta

until noon), the last Monday in May; Flag Day,

June 14; Independence Day, July 4; Labor

Day, rst Monday in September; Constitution

Day, September 17; Columbus Day, second

Monday in October; Navy Day, October 27;

Veterans Day, November 11; Thanksgiving

Day, fourth Thursday in November; Christmas

Day, December 25; and such other days as

may be proclaimed by the President of the

United States; the birthdays of states (date of

admission); and on state holidays.

(e) The ag should be displayed daily on or

near the main administration building of every

public institution.

(f) The ag should be displayed in or near

every polling place on election days.

(g) The ag should be displayed during

school days in or near every schoolhouse.

Position and Manner of Display

The ag, when carried in a procession with

another ag or ags, should be either on the

marching right; that is, the ag’s own right, or,

if there is a line of other ags, in front of the

center of that line.

(a) The ag should not be displayed on

a oat in a parade except from a sta, or as

provided in subsection (i) of this section.

(b) The ag should not be draped over

the hood, top, sides, or back of a vehicle or

of a railroad train or a boat. When the ag is

displayed on a motorcar, the sta should be

xed rmly to the chassis or clamped to the

right fender.

above or, if on the same level, to the right of

the ag of the United States of America, except

during church services conducted by naval

chaplains at sea, when the church pennant may

be own above the ag during church services

for the personnel of the Navy. No person shall

display the ag of the United Nations or any

other national or international ag equal, above,

or in a position of superior prominence or honor

to or in place of the ag of the United States or

any territory or possession thereof: Provided,

That nothing in this section shall make unlawful

the continuance of the practice heretofore

followed of displaying the ag of the United

Nations in a position of superior prominence or

honor, and other national ags in positions of

equal prominence or honor, with that of the ag

of the United States at the headquarters of the

United Nations.

(d) The ag of the United States of America,

when it is displayed with another ag against a

wall from crossed stas, should be on the right,

the ag’s own right, and its sta should be in

front of the sta of the other ag.

(e) The ag of the United States of America

should be at the center and at the highest point

of the group when a number of ags of states or

localities or pennants of societies are grouped

and displayed from stas.

(f) When ags of states, cities, or localities,

or pennants of societies are own on the same

halyard with the ag of the United States, the

latter should always be at the peak. When the

ags are own from adjacent stas, the ag of

the United States should be hoisted rst and

lowered last. No such ag or pennant may be

placed above the ag of the United States or to

the United States ag’s right.

(g) When ags of two or more nations are

displayed, they are to be own from separate

stas of the same height. The ags should be

of approximately equal size. International usage

forbids the display of the ag of one nation

above that of another nation in time of peace.

(h) When the ag of the United States is

displayed from a sta projecting horizontally

or at an angle from the window sill, balcony, or

front of a building, the union of the ag should

be placed at the peak of the sta unless the

ag is at half-sta. When the ag is suspended

over a sidewalk from a rope extending from a

house to a pole at the edge of the sidewalk, the

ag should be hoisted out, union rst, from the

building.

(i) When displayed either horizontally or

vertically against a wall, the union should be

uppermost and to the ag’s own right, that is, to

the observer’s left. When displayed in a window,

the ag should be displayed in the same way,

with the union or blue eld to the left of the

observer in the street.

(j) When the ag is displayed over the middle

of the street, it should be suspended vertically

with the union to the north in an east and west

street or to the east in a north and south street.

(k) When used on a speaker’s platform, the

ag, if displayed at, should be displayed above

and behind the speaker. When displayed from

a sta in a church or public auditorium, the ag

of the United States of America should hold the

position of superior prominence, in advance of

the audience, and in the position of honor at the

clergyman’s or speaker’s right as he faces the

audience. Any other ag so displayed should be

placed on the left of the clergyman or speaker or

to the right of the audience.

(l) The ag should form a distinctive feature

of the ceremony of unveiling a statute or

monument, but it should never be used as the

covering for the statute or monument.

(m) The ag, when own at half-sta, should

be rst hoisted to the peak for an instant and

then lowered to the half-sta position. The ag

should be again raised to the peak before it is

lowered for the day. On Memorial Day, the ag

should be displayed at half-sta until noon only,

then raised to the top of the sta. By order of

the president, the ag shall be own at half-sta

upon the death of principal gures of the United

States government and the governor of a state,

territory, or possession, as a mark of respect to

their memory. In the event of the death of other

ocials or foreign dignitaries, the ag is to be

displayed at half-sta according to presidential

instructions or orders, or in accordance with

recognized customs or practices not inconsistent

with law. In the event of the death of a present

or former ocial of the government of any

state, territory, or possession of the United

States or the death of a member of the Armed

Forces from any state, territory, or possession

of the United States, the governor of that state,

territory, or possession may proclaim that the

National ag shall be own at half-sta, and

the same authority is provided to the mayor of

the District of Columbia with respect to present

or former ocials of the District of Columbia

and members of the Armed Forces from the

District of Columbia. When the governor of a

state, territory, or possession, or the mayor of

the District of Columbia, issues a proclamation

under the preceding sentence that the national

ag be own at half-sta in that state, territory,

or possession or in the District of Columbia

because of the death of a member of the Armed

Forces, the national ag own at any federal

installation or facility in the area covered by

that proclamation shall be own at half-sta

consistent with that proclamation. The ag shall

be own at half-sta thirty days from the death

of the president or a former president; ten days

from the day of death of the vice president,

the chief justice or a retired chief justice of the

United States or the speaker of the House of

Representatives; from the day of death until

interment of an associate justice of the Supreme

Court, a secretary of an executive or military

department, a former vice president, or the

governor of a state, territory, or possession; and

on the day of death and the following day for a

member of Congress. The ag shall be own

at half-sta on Peace Ocers Memorial Day,

unless that day is also Armed Forces Day.

As used in this subsection:

(1) The term “half-sta” means the position

of the ag when it is one-half the distance

between the top and bottom of the sta;

(2) The term “executive or military

department” means any agency listed

under Sections 101 and 102 of Title 5,

United States Code; and

(3) The term “member of Congress” means

a senator, a representative, a delegate,

or the resident commissioner from Puerto

Rico.

(n) When the ag is used to cover a casket, it

should be so placed that the union is at the head

and over the left shoulder. The ag should not

be lowered into the grave or allowed to touch the

ground.

(o) When the ag is suspended across a

corridor or lobby in a building with only one

main entrance, it should be suspended vertically

with the union of the ag to the observer’s left

upon entering. If the building has more than one

main entrance, the ag should be suspended

vertically near the center of the corridor or lobby

with the union to the north, when entrances

are to the east and west or to the east when

entrances are to the north and south. If there are

entrances in more than two directions, the union

should be to the east.

Respect for Flag

No disrespect should be shown to the

ag of the United States of America; the ag

should not be dipped to any person or thing.

Regimental colors, state ags, and organization

or institutional ags are to be dipped as a mark

of honor.

(a) The ag should never be displayed with

union down, except as a signal of dire distress in

instances of extreme danger to life or property.

(b) The ag should never touch anything

beneath it, such as the ground, the oor, water,

or merchandise.

horizontally, but always aloft and free.

(d) The ag should never be used as wearing

apparel, bedding, or drapery. It should never

be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds,

but always allowed to fall free. Bunting of blue,

white, and red, always arranged with the blue

above, the white in the middle, and the red

below, should be used for covering a speaker’s

desk, draping in front of the platform, and for a

decoration in general.

(e) The ag should never be fastened,

displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as

to permit it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged

in any way.

(f) The ag should never be used as a

covering for a ceiling.

(g) The ag should never have placed upon it,

nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark,

insignia, letter, word, gure, design, picture, or

drawing of any nature.

(h) The ag should never be used as a

receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or

delivering anything.

(i) The ag should never be used for

advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever.

It should not be embroidered on such articles

as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like,

printed or otherwise impressed on paper

napkins or boxes or anything that is designed

for temporary use and discard. Advertising signs

should not be fastened to a sta or halyard from

which the ag is own.

(j) No part of the ag should ever be used as

a costume or athletic uniform. However, a ag

patch may be axed to the uniform of military

personnel, remen, policemen, and members

of patriotic organizations. The ag represents

a living country and is itself considered a living

thing. Therefore, the lapel ag pin being a

replica, should be worn on the left lapel near

the heart.

(k) The ag, when it is in such condition

that it is no longer a tting emblem for display,

should be destroyed in a dignied way,

preferably by burning.

Conduct During Hoisting, Lowering

or Passing of Flag

During the ceremony of hoisting or lowering

the ag or when the ag is passing in a parade

or in review, all persons present in uniform

should render the military salute. Members of

the Armed Forces and veterans who are present

but not in uniform may render the military salute.

All other persons present should face the

ag and stand at attention with the right hand

over the heart, or if applicable, remove their

headdress with their right hand and hold it at

the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart.

Citizens of other countries present should stand

at attention. All such conduct toward the ag

in a moving column should be rendered at the

moment the ag passes.

DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS

NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS

P.O. Box 14301

Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301

(859) 441-7300

dav.org

Revised

11/17