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 From the Americanism Committee

The Flag Code: Proper Flag Etiquette

Learn Proper American Flag Etiquette And Other Facts

 

If your flag needs to be retired, it should be disposed of in a dignified manner with all due respect. Section 8k of the Flag Code states: “The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.”

Some people like to display flags 24 hours a day, year round. Flag etiquette states that the flag should be properly illuminated at night and taken in during foul weather. Display and handling on certain days, such as federal holidays and the birthdays of presidents, are especially important.

Whether or not other countries are as extreme with their own codes of flag etiquette, some basic guidelines are followed universally from country to country. The following flag etiquette guidelines are common to most countries, however, some are only applicable to the United States:

- An upside down flag is a distress signal

- No flag should ever touch the ground

-The United States flag should never be dipped to any person or thing.

- No flag should be allowed to be torn, soiled or otherwise damaged in any way

- No marks such as logos, insignias, letters, words, designs, or figures should be attached to the flag

 

- The United States flag should never be used to carry or hold anything

- Never use the United States flag for advertising. The image of the flag should not appear on boxes, paper napkins, plates, or anything made to be discarded

- Do not use the United States flag for clothing or as a costume

- A country’s flag, when hoisted with other flags, should always be hoisted first and taken down last

- Multiple flags consisting of various nations should always fly at the same level during a time of peace

How to Properly Display the Flag

Across the Street - During the summer months and in parades across America, the flag is often used to decorate the streets. When a flag is hung vertically across a street, the union (or field of blue) should be pointing towards the north on an east/west street or to the east on street that runs in a north/south direction. If the flag is to hang over a sidewalk, the union should be on the street side away from the buildings.

 

With other Flags - When the flag is displayed in a courtroom or in a hall against a wall with crossed staffs, the country’s flag should always be on the right (the flag’s right, not the viewer’s right) and the country’s flag pole should be on top of the second flag.

Half Mast - The proper way to hoist a flag to half-mast is to draw it all the way to the top of the pole and then lower it to half-mast. Only the president of the United States or governors can proclaim that flags be flown at half-mast. Flags can be flown at half-staff for important government figures, governors of states, and foreign dignitaries. A recent addition to the Flag Code allows state governors to order that public buildings fly flags at half-mast to honor fallen soldiers from that state during time of war.

The length of time a United States flag is flown at half mast depends on the importance of the event or the deceased government official being honored. Anywhere from one day to 30 days is appropriate. The president of the United States assigns a period of mourning.

The flag is flown at half-mast until noon on Memorial Day. Other days that the president of the United States proclaims that the flag be flown at half-staff include May 15th, Peace Officers Memorial Day, September 11th, Patriot Day; and December 7th, National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. If you are interested in finding out if the president has announced that flags should be flown at half-mast check the site, ushistory.org and the presidential proclamation link.

Multiple Flags on the Same Pole - Proper flag etiquette says a country’s flag should always be at the top. To have one country above the other would show that the lower flag is subordinate to the one on top. The same goes for a multiple line of flagpoles; each country should be at the same level as the previous one.

 

Window Sills - Flagpoles affixed to a windowsill of a home or other building should have the flag with the union at the peak of the pole.

Flat on the Wall or in a Window - If the flag is hung on a wall or displayed in a window, the union should be on the viewer’s top left.

Processions - A country’s flag carried in a parade or other procession should always be in the front in a line of several flags, or to the right of a second flag.

On a Staff in an Auditorium, Church or other Public Hall - If a country’s flag is displayed at an official gathering in a place like a public auditorium or church, the flag should be to the right of the speaker or podium.

Vehicles - Many drivers have taken to decorating their cars with flags without considering the guidelines of flag etiquette. A flag should be fastened to either the front right fender or window.

Hanging the Flag Upside Down - To hang a country’s flag upside down is an international distress signal. For obvious reasons, one should never do this unless it is a real emergency.

The flag for any country is a source of pride and inspiration for the people. It deserves a certain amount of respect.

 

The Flag and Funerals

When the flag is used to drape over a casket, the blue field should be at the head over the left hand side of the casket (in order to be positioned as close to the heart as possible). At no time should the flag be lowered into the grave or be allowed to touch the ground.

One of the most poignant flag ceremonies involves the flag draped casket of a fallen hero. Whether the deceased was a veteran or a mortally wounded soldier in battle, the exact removal and triangular folding of the flag before being presented to a family member brings a patriotic feeling to those who witness the event.

The flag is removed and folded with pomp and ceremony befitting the deceased veteran or soldier and the American flag. A twelve fold procedure is used.  Each fold represents various aspects of life both patriotic and spiritual. The end result is a triangle with the stars lying on top of the stripes to signify that the United States began as 13 colonies and now includes 50 states represented by the 50 stars.

 

The Flag Code is a guideline for proper flag etiquette. Although the Code is violated in many different ways each day, what it comes down to is the intent behind the way the flag is being used. There is nothing wrong with wearing a nation’s flag as long as it is done as a source of pride. Ripping or burning a flag at a protest, on the other hand, is a blatant act of disrespect. Improper flag etiquette can get out of control if you begin to consider all the things we use the flag’s image for, such as cakes and postal stamps.

For further information regarding flag etiquette, please visit http://www.ushistory.org/betsy. This site is full of information and interesting flag facts, as well as the Flag Code in its entirety.


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