Displaying the Flag
When displaying the flag, it is important to remember certain guidelines of proper flag etiquette. They are:
When on display or carried in a procession with other flags, the flag should be positioned to its own right. Also, it
should be placed to the right of a speaker or staging area, while other flags are placed to the left.
When the flag is displayed from a staff projecting horizontally from a window sill, balcony, or building, the stars of
the flag should be placed at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half staff.
The flag should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags of states, localities,
or societies are grouped for display.
When the flag is displayed either vertically or horizontally against a wall, the stars should be placed at the top of
the flag's right and the observer's left.
When the flag is unfurled for display across a street, it should be hung vertically, with the stars to the north or east.
When the flag is flown with flags of other nations they are to be displayed from separate staffs of the same height,
and each should be of equal size. International law forbids the display of the flag of one nation to be flown above
that of another nation during time of peace.
During a time of national mourning, the flag can be flown at half mast by order or proclamation of the President of
the United States. When flown at half mast, the flag should be hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered
to the half staff position. The flag should be raised to the peak before it is lowered at the end of the day. On
Memorial Day the flag should be displayed at half mast until noon, then raised to the top of the staff and flown
until sunset. Local customs regarding the lowering of company, city, or other flags to half mast are directed by the
executive officers of those service areas.
When the flag is used to cover a casket, it should be placed with the stars at the head and over the left shoulder.
The flag should not be lowered into the grave or be allowed to touch the ground.
Respect for the Flag
The Flag Code, a national guideline on ways in which the flag is to be respected, states that no disrespect should
be shown to the flag of the United States of America. Specific ways, in which the flag should not be used,
according to the code, are:
The flag should not be dipped to any person or thing, and can be flown upside down only as a distress
signal.The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. Bunting of blue, white, and red
can be used for covering a speaker's desk, draping the front of a platform, or for decoration in general.
The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a way that would allow it to be easily torn,
soiled, or damaged.
The flag should never have any mark, insignia, letter, work, or other designs of any kind placed upon it.
The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
The flag should never be used for advertising purposes. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise
impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, paper napkins, boxes, or anything that is designed for
temporary use. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a flag's staff or halyard.
No part of the flag should be used is an element of a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be
worn on the uniform of military personnel, firemen, and members of patriotic or other national organizations, such
as the uniforms of veterans' service organizations or Scout uniforms.
When lowering the flag, make certain that no part of it touches the ground. It should be received by waiting hands
and arms. To store the flag, ceremoniously fold it length wise in half, then repeat with the blue field on the
outside. Finally, while one person holds it by the blue field, another then makes a triangular fold in the opposite
end, continuing to fold it in triangles until only the blue shield shows.
When a flag is in such a condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, it should be destroyed in a
dignified manner, preferably by burning.
Flying Our Flag
It is proper to display the flag from sunrise to sunset on all days the weather permits. The flag may also be
displayed at night if illuminated by a light. But it is even more important to display the flag on national holidays and
days of importance, including:
New Year's Day
Inauguration Day
Martin Luther King Jr's Birthday
Lincoln's Birthday
Washington's Birthday
Easter Sunday
Mother's Day
Armed Forces Day
Memorial Day (half staff until noon)
Flag Day
Father's Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Constitution Day
Columbus Day
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day
Election Days
State and Local Holidays
State Birthday
Other days the flag may be flown at half mast may be proclaimed by the President of the United States.
Our National Anthem
The "Star Spangled Banner" has been designated as the national anthem of the United States of America. During
the playing of the anthem when the flag is displayed, persons not in uniform should stand at attention facing the
flag with their right hand over their heart. Those in uniform should begin saluting the flag at the first note of the
music, and hold the salute until the last note of the anthem is played.
Again, this applies to those wearing veterans' organizations caps or the uniforms of other patriotic organizations.
Pledge to the Flag
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
After first appearing in a copy of the Youth's Companion in 1892, as a celebration of the 400th anniversary of the
discovery of America, the pledge to the flag received the official recognition of Congress on June 22, 1942. The
phrase, "under God," was added to the pledge by Congress on June 14, 1954, by President Dwight D.
Eisenhower, who said that "in this way we are reaffirming the transcendence of religious faith in America's
heritage and future; in this way we shall constantly strengthen those spiritual weapons which forever will be our
country's most powerful resource in peace and war."
When rendering the pledge of allegiance, persons should stand at attention, face the flag, and, if in uniform,
salute, or otherwise place the right hand over the heart. Persons wearing the caps of veterans' service
organizations, such as the Disabled American Veterans, are expected to salute. Others, such as Boy or Girl
Scouts in uniform, should render respect to the flag in accordance with the traditions of the organization whose
uniform they are wearing.
When displaying the flag, it is important to remember certain guidelines of proper flag etiquette. They are:
When on display or carried in a procession with other flags, the flag should be positioned to its own right. Also, it
should be placed to the right of a speaker or staging area, while other flags are placed to the left.
When the flag is displayed from a staff projecting horizontally from a window sill, balcony, or building, the stars of
the flag should be placed at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half staff.
The flag should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags of states, localities,
or societies are grouped for display.
When the flag is displayed either vertically or horizontally against a wall, the stars should be placed at the top of
the flag's right and the observer's left.
When the flag is unfurled for display across a street, it should be hung vertically, with the stars to the north or east.
When the flag is flown with flags of other nations they are to be displayed from separate staffs of the same height,
and each should be of equal size. International law forbids the display of the flag of one nation to be flown above
that of another nation during time of peace.
During a time of national mourning, the flag can be flown at half mast by order or proclamation of the President of
the United States. When flown at half mast, the flag should be hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered
to the half staff position. The flag should be raised to the peak before it is lowered at the end of the day. On
Memorial Day the flag should be displayed at half mast until noon, then raised to the top of the staff and flown
until sunset. Local customs regarding the lowering of company, city, or other flags to half mast are directed by the
executive officers of those service areas.
When the flag is used to cover a casket, it should be placed with the stars at the head and over the left shoulder.
The flag should not be lowered into the grave or be allowed to touch the ground.
Respect for the Flag
The Flag Code, a national guideline on ways in which the flag is to be respected, states that no disrespect should
be shown to the flag of the United States of America. Specific ways, in which the flag should not be used,
according to the code, are:
The flag should not be dipped to any person or thing, and can be flown upside down only as a distress
signal.The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. Bunting of blue, white, and red
can be used for covering a speaker's desk, draping the front of a platform, or for decoration in general.
The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a way that would allow it to be easily torn,
soiled, or damaged.
The flag should never have any mark, insignia, letter, work, or other designs of any kind placed upon it.
The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
The flag should never be used for advertising purposes. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise
impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, paper napkins, boxes, or anything that is designed for
temporary use. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a flag's staff or halyard.
No part of the flag should be used is an element of a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be
worn on the uniform of military personnel, firemen, and members of patriotic or other national organizations, such
as the uniforms of veterans' service organizations or Scout uniforms.
When lowering the flag, make certain that no part of it touches the ground. It should be received by waiting hands
and arms. To store the flag, ceremoniously fold it length wise in half, then repeat with the blue field on the
outside. Finally, while one person holds it by the blue field, another then makes a triangular fold in the opposite
end, continuing to fold it in triangles until only the blue shield shows.
When a flag is in such a condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, it should be destroyed in a
dignified manner, preferably by burning.
Flying Our Flag
It is proper to display the flag from sunrise to sunset on all days the weather permits. The flag may also be
displayed at night if illuminated by a light. But it is even more important to display the flag on national holidays and
days of importance, including:
New Year's Day
Inauguration Day
Martin Luther King Jr's Birthday
Lincoln's Birthday
Washington's Birthday
Easter Sunday
Mother's Day
Armed Forces Day
Memorial Day (half staff until noon)
Flag Day
Father's Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Constitution Day
Columbus Day
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day
Election Days
State and Local Holidays
State Birthday
Other days the flag may be flown at half mast may be proclaimed by the President of the United States.
Our National Anthem
The "Star Spangled Banner" has been designated as the national anthem of the United States of America. During
the playing of the anthem when the flag is displayed, persons not in uniform should stand at attention facing the
flag with their right hand over their heart. Those in uniform should begin saluting the flag at the first note of the
music, and hold the salute until the last note of the anthem is played.
Again, this applies to those wearing veterans' organizations caps or the uniforms of other patriotic organizations.
Pledge to the Flag
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
After first appearing in a copy of the Youth's Companion in 1892, as a celebration of the 400th anniversary of the
discovery of America, the pledge to the flag received the official recognition of Congress on June 22, 1942. The
phrase, "under God," was added to the pledge by Congress on June 14, 1954, by President Dwight D.
Eisenhower, who said that "in this way we are reaffirming the transcendence of religious faith in America's
heritage and future; in this way we shall constantly strengthen those spiritual weapons which forever will be our
country's most powerful resource in peace and war."
When rendering the pledge of allegiance, persons should stand at attention, face the flag, and, if in uniform,
salute, or otherwise place the right hand over the heart. Persons wearing the caps of veterans' service
organizations, such as the Disabled American Veterans, are expected to salute. Others, such as Boy or Girl
Scouts in uniform, should render respect to the flag in accordance with the traditions of the organization whose
uniform they are wearing.
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