From Navy Newsstand:
All Ships to Fly First Navy Jack During War on Terrorism
Story number: NNS020822-18
Release date: 9/5/2002 11:20:00 AM
From the Navy News Service
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Secretary of the Navy, the Honorable Gordon R. England, has ordered all U.S. Navy ships to fly the First Navy Jack in place of the Union Jack for the duration of the global war on terrorism.
The First Navy Jack, which is commonly known as the "Don't Tread On Me" flag because of the motto which appears on it, consists of a moving rattlesnake on a field of 13 horizontal red and white stripes.
From 1975-76, the First Navy Jack was flown by all Navy ships in the fleet for only the second time since the American Revolution as a historical reminder of country's Bicenntenial celebration. Then, in 1977, the Secretary directed that only the oldest active ship in commission would have the honor of flying the Jack. Today, that honor that belongs to USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63), which was commissioned April 29, 1961.
All Navy ships and craft authorized to fly the First Navy Jack will receive four flags each through a special distribution. For deployed ships, the flags have already been mailed to the appropriate Fleet Post Office address. Flags have been hand delivered by representatives of Navy Supply Systems Command's (NAVSUP) Logistics Support Centers to all other ships starting Aug. 30. Deliveries are expected to be completed by the second week of September.
To view SECNAVINST 10520.6 authorizing display of the First Navy Jack during the global war on terrorism, go to http://neds.nebt.daps.mil/Directives/10520_6.pdf.
For more Navy news updated around the clock, visit the Navy NewsStand at www.news.navy.mil.
And goodness, the first thing you said was awfully sweet. :)