Flying High

I say this in the context of many of us labeled as either Generation X, or Millennial in terms of age grouping, not actually being present to have witnessed our national flag being hoisted as a symbol of our birth as a nation.

I will forever recall the breathtaking sense of national pride experienced at being present for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London with my family, as we stood in the main stadium readying ourselves for the track and field events. Whilst waiting on the relays in particular, we witnessed a small commotion taking place on the javelin field and noted a particular young man, called Keshorn Walcott, advancing through each throw closer to a medal placing.

Words cannot describe the sense of nationhood, my family and I felt on that final throw, confirming his gold medal placing, and the endless flow of tears as we witnessed our symbol of nationhood being hoisted, before a stadium of 70,000 persons, many of whom may not have noticed the colours of Trinidad and Tobago before. Experiences such as these epitomise the value and meaning of what such a symbol represents.

A nation’s national flag is a symbol or representation of the actual nation. Flag protocol therefore defines the treatment, placement, handling and use of official flags. Many countries have written into their constitution, the guidelines to be used to govern their particular flag protocol, whereas other countries have stated guidelines without general consequences attached.

In Trinidad and Tobago, the use of our national flag is specifically and clearly articulated both in the military context as well as within the state context and can be easily accessed via a Google search on national emblems. In addition to Government ministries, State enterprises and institutions, many private organizations may display the national flag, and must follow the basic guidelines accorded to the stated flag protocol.

The national flag should be quickly hoisted to the top of the staff, with due care being taken to ensure that is occupies the correct position in the halyard (rope used to hoist and lower). The right upper corner of the flag should be at the peak of the staff. The flag should be lowered slowly and with dignity, carefully ensuring that the flag does not touch the ground.

When the national flag is flown with other flags in Trinidad and Tobago, it must be the first to go up, and the last to come down.

It must never be lowered whilst other flags are being hoisted. If the national flag is being used on a rostrum, if displayed in a flat position, behind the speaker and high above their head and above all other d?cor, with the flag occupying the normal position it would when it flies from a staff, that is the upper Dexter (on the right) quarter should be uppermost and from the right side as it faces the audience.

If an organization may be engaging in foreign meetings and negotiations, and perhaps may choose to highlight the visiting delegation’s symbol, the flag of Trinidad and Tobago should be placed on the left with other national flags placed in alphabetical order in the language of the host country – in our case, Standard English.