Answer Man: Fly Right and Respectfully

I attended a Pops concert at the University of Maryland. The first number was the National Anthem, for which everyone stood (as they should). But a large number of people put their hands over their hearts while singing the anthem. I know you put your hand over your heart when saying the Pledge of Allegiance, but singing the National Anthem?

John O'Master, Beltsville

Yup, you're supposed to put your hand over your heart, at least according to the U.S. Code, which states: "[A]ll present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart." Those in uniform should salute the flag from the first note of the anthem to the last note.

This seems like a good time to note that Old Glory is back in the news these days, what with the move afoot to allow Congress to ban the "desecration" of an America flag.

I kind of thought that one of the things that made the United States so great was that we were free to do such things as burn flags, if we felt so moved. It obviously wouldn't be anybody's first choice. (I got a parking ticket! I'm burning a flag!) But it did seem like an option if you had some serious free speech that you wanted to exercise.

I'm pretty sure there's something in the Constitution about that.

I haven't noticed a great upsurge in flag desecration lately, so I'm not sure what it is that certain politicians are worried about. What they need to understand is that the flag is a symbol that represents an idea . Ideas aren't like an endangered species or a historic stained-glass window. They don't need protection. Ideas need to be poked and prodded, discussed and argued about. That's what freedom-loving people living in a democracy do.

What I have noticed is that when people start getting overly concerned with the physical manifestations of ideas -- being overly concerned with the paper that a religious text is printed on or the granite it's inscribed on, rather than the sentiments behind those texts, or with swatches of colored fabric rather than freedom of speech -- it starts us on a slippery slope I'd rather not contemplate.

Camp Moss Hollow

There is a lovely flagpole at Camp Moss Hollow, the camp for at-risk kids from the Washington area. It stands not far from the dining hall. Here's how to help ensure lots of kids will get to see it:

Make a check or money order payable to "Send a Kid to Camp" and mail it to Family and Child Services, P.O. Box 96237, Washington, D.C. 20090-6237. Don't send cash. To contribute online , go to http://www.washingtonpost.com/johnkelly . Click on the icon that says, "Make a Donation." To donate by MasterCard or Visa by phone , call 202-334-5100 and follow the instructions on our taped message.

My assistant, Julia Feldmeier, helped research this column. Send your questions toanswerman@washpost.com, or 1150 15th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20071.