Flag Recognition Program

Chapter flag committees and chapter members can present flag certificates to individuals, corporations, businesses, fire departments, police departments, schools, libraries, etc. that properly display the American Flag. The Flag Committee develops programs to encourage patriotic respect for the flag of the United States, including Flag Day programs for the week ending June 14th each year. The national committee identifies and develops resources on the history of the U.S. Flag for use by state-level societies and chapters.

Flag Recognition Program Committee

  • Chair - Kenneth E. Morris (George Mason Chapter)— [email protected]
  • Patrick M. Kelly (Thomas Jefferson)
  • Christopher N. "Kirk" Sheap (Fort Harrison)
  • Randolph G. Atkins (Fort Harrison)
  • Michael W. Rhodes (Richard Henry Lee)

Admiral William R. Furlong Award and U.S. Flag Retirement Award

Adm. Furlong Award Requirements:

  1. If over 1/2 of the chapters in Virginia SAR, as well as the state society, present at least one flag certificate each, the state will receive the Admiral William R. Furlong Award.
  2. The first time a state society receives the Furlong Award, it will be presented a streamer (✅ = Virginia).
  3. Each additional time the state society receives the Furlong Award, it will receive a white star to attach to the streamer. 
  4. If 100% of the chapters in our state, as well as the state society, present at least one flag certificate each, then the state society will receive the Furlong Award and a Certificate of Excellence.
  5. These awards are presented at the National SAR Congress each year.

Learn more about compatriot Adm. Furlong and his legacy; his Patriot was Capt. George Grant (P-169076).

U.S. Flag Retirement Award Requirements:

  1. If over 1/2 of the chapters in Virginia SAR, as well as the state society, present at least one flag certificate each, the state will receive the U.S. Flag Retirement Award.
  2. The first time a state society receives the U.S. Flag Retirement Award, it will be presented a streamer (✅ = Virginia).
  3. Each additional time the state society receives the U.S. Flag Retirement Award, it will receive a white star to attach to the streamer.
  4. If 100% of the chapters in our state, as well as the state society, present at least one flag certificate each, then the state society will receive the Furlong Award and a Certificate of Excellence.
  5. These awards are presented at the National SAR Congress each year.

Due to the dedication of so many compatriots in every chapter across the Commonwealth, the Virginia SAR has been awarded the Adm. Furlong Award streamer with white stars, and U.S. Flag Retirement awards at multiple National SAR Congress events, including 2024.

Status of Flag within the Commonwealth of Virginia