La Quinta, CA
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Welcome to the City of La Quinta's U.S. Flag Etiquette and Retirement page!
The U.S. Flag is a living symbol of our great nation and the shared history, pride, principles, and commitment of its people. When we properly display this powerful symbol, we signal our respect for everything it represents. Its care is essential to honoring our country’s past, present, and future.
Click on the images below to learn more about how to properly respect, display, fold, and retire your U.S. Flag!
Respect
General Care
Display
Half-Staff
Folding
Retirement
Pledge of Allegiance
The Pledge of Allegiance is a promise of loyalty to the United States. The first version of the pledge was written in 1892 by Minister Francis Bellamy. Over the years, more words were added, and the pledge that we recite today was updated in 1954:
The Pledge of Allegiance is recited at the beginning of City Council and Commission meetings and workshops. It should be recited standing up, facing the U.S. Flag, and with the right hand over the heart.
U.S. Flag Retirement Drop Box
La Quinta residents can now drop-off their worn and tattered U.S. Flags at City Hall! Effective November 11, 2022 (Veterans Day), a new flag drop-off box was installed near the City Hall main entrance in the South Parking Lot (corner of Washington Street & Avenida La Fonda).
Box Design
The box was designed by our local Scouts BSA Troop 451 and vinyl wrapped by Wildcat Wrap Company. U.S. Flags deposited into the drop-off box will be periodically collected and delivered to the Herman Granados American Legion Post 739 in Indio for a proper retirement ceremony.
Before
After
First Flags
We had our first flag deposits over Veterans Day weekend 2022 and our first bag of 30 flags three weeks later! We are looking forward to many more weeks, months, and years of accepting your worn and tattered U.S. Flags so they can be retired with respect.
First Flag Deposit
First Bag of 30 Flags
American Legion Post 739 - Indio
On February 2, 2023, Mayor Pro Tem Sanchez did the first drop-off of 89 flags to Commander Steve Waggoner at the Herman Granados American Legion Post 739 in Indio. From there, Commander Waggoner's team at the Legion will conduct official flag retirement ceremonies throughout the year.
Thank you to all who have already used the U.S. Flag Retirement Drop Box at City Hall! The flag drop box is a permanent fixture at City Hall so please bring your worn or tattered flags for proper retirement.