In America there is a religious totem held above all else. It is a square piece of cloth with thirteen red and white lines and fifty stars that they place on a pole above their heads. They honor their flag in almost every aspect of their lives. They are placed in national shrines, in cathedrals, outside homes and inside every classroom. Every morning in schools across the nation, children are required to pray to the flag and pledge their allegiance. It is put up every morning outside the school and then taken down at the end of the day. A smaller version also hangs in most classrooms for children to look at with pride. Before engaging in a major event, Americans stop to serenade their flag, before sports games, ceremonies and speeches. Many loyal followers hang them outside their homes. The American flag is an extremely cherished totem representing the United States and is at the center of one of America's most respected rituals. Because the flag is such an honored symbol, there is a specific ritual for disposing of it in a dignified manner that all Americans follow so as not to desecrate the flag. Doing anything other than this ritual is considered sacrilege and disrespectful to the flag. The flag must be respectfully retired and cannot be placed on the ground or have anything on it. When the flag is disposed of, all spectators must show respect to the flag by saluting it or with a moment of silence. The leader of the ceremony utters the honorable words "I will cut out the Union Flag, and when the Union is gone, the Flag will no longer be a Flag" (Flag Etiquette). Alongside the ceremony leader are thirteen helpers representing the thirteen colonies. They approach the flag in order of c...... middle of the paper ...... erected above all else. The American flag will forever be an iconic totem in the country's civil religion and the ritualization of its retirement only proves it. Even as the flag and what it represents are continually taken for granted, most Americans will continue to respect it, especially through their words and actions. Bibliography "Annin Flagmakers - Oldest and Largest Flag Manufacturer in the United States." Annin Flagmakers - The oldest and largest flag maker in the United States. Annin Flagmakers, 2014. Web. 24 February 2014. “Flag Etiquette.” Connecticut Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. Sons of the American Revolution, 2013. Web. February 24, 2014. "National Flag Foundation." National Flag Foundation. National Flag Foundation, nd Web. February 24, 2014. Streufert, Duane. “Flag Etiquette.” United States flag. Np, nd Web. 24 February. 2014.