Flag Etiquette                                       back to July 4th home page

Standards of Respect                                                          

The Flag Code, which formalizes and unifies the traditional ways in which we give respect to the flag, also
contains specific instructions on how the flag is not to be used. They are:

* The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal.
* The flag should not be used as a drapery, or for covering a speaker's desk, draping a platform, or for any
decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue
stripe of the bunting should be on top.
* The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed or
otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended
to be discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard.
* The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used
on the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen and members of patriotic organizations.
* The flag should never have placed on it, or attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or
drawing of any kind.
* The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.

When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by
waiting hands and arms. To store the flag it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.

The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary.

When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in
a dignified manner.
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Note: Most American Legion Posts regularly conduct a dignified flag burning ceremony, often on Flag Day, June
14th. Many Cub Scout Packs, Boy Scout Troops, and Girl Scout Troops retire flags regularly as well. Contact
your local American Legion Hall or Scout Troop to inquire about the availability of this service.
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Displaying the Flag Outdoors

When the flag is displayed from a staff projecting from a window, balcony, or a building, the union should be at
the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half staff.

When it is displayed from the same flagpole with another flag - of a state, community, society or Scout unit - the
flag of the United States must always be at the top, except that the church pennant may be flown above the flag
during church services for Navy personnel when conducted by a Naval chaplain on a ship at sea.

When the flag is displayed over a street, it should be hung vertically, with the union to the north or east. If the flag
is suspended over a sidewalk, the flag's union should be farthest from the building.

When flown with flags of states, communities, or societies on separate flag poles which are of the same height
and in a straight line, the flag of the United States is always placed in the position of honor - to its own right. The
other flags may be smaller, but none may be larger.

No other flag should ever be placed above it. The flag of the United States is always the first flag raised and the
last to be lowered.

When flown with the national banner of other countries, each flag must be displayed from a separate pole of the
same height. Each flag should be the same size. They should be raised and lowered simultaneously. The flag
of one nation may not be displayed above that of another nation.

Raising and Lowering the Flag

The flag should be raised briskly and lowered slowly and ceremoniously. Ordinarily it should be displayed only
between sunrise and sunset. It should be illuminated if displayed at night. The flag of the United States of
America is saluted as it is hoisted and lowered. The salute is held until the flag is unsnapped from the halyard
or through the last note of music, whichever is the longest.

Displaying the Flag Indoors

When on display, the flag is accorded the place of honor, always positioned to its own right. Place it to the right
of the speaker or standing area or sanctuary. Other flags should be to the left.
'
The flag of the United States of America 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 one flag is used with the flag of the United States of America and the staffs are crossed, the flag of the
United States is placed on its own right with its staff in front of the other flag.

When displaying the flag against a wall, vertically or horizontally, the flags' union (stars) should be at the top, to
the flag's own right, and to the observer's left.

Parading and Saluting the Flag

When carried in a procession, the flag should be to the right of the marchers. When other flags are carried, the
flag of the United States may be centered in front of the others or carried to their right. When the flag passes in a
procession, or when it is hoisted or lowered, all should face the flag and salute.

The Salute

To salute, all persons come to attention. Those in uniform give the appropriate formal salute. Citizens not in
uniform salute by placing their right hand over the heart and men with head cover should remove it and hold it to
left shoulder, hand over heart. Members of organizations in formation salute upon command of the person in
charge.

The Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem

The pledge of allegiance should be rendered by standing at attention, facing the flag, and saluting. When the
national anthem is played or sung, citizens should stand at attention and salute at the first note and hold the
salute through the last note. The salute is directed to the flag, if displayed, otherwise to the music.

The Flag in Mourning

To place the flag at half staff, hoist it to the peak for an instant and lower it to a position half way between the top
and bottom of the staff. The flag is to be raised again to the peak for a moment before it is lowered. On
Memorial Day the flag is displayed at half staff until noon and at full staff from noon to sunset.
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