Flag Etiquette

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 American Flag is not to be used. They are:

• The American Flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. The Flag is flown upside down only as a distress signal.
• The American 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 this purpose. the blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top.
• The American Flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. The flag should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes or anything that is intended to be discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the halyard or staff of the flag pole.
• The American Flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be worn on the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen and members of patriotic organizations.
• The American Flag should never have placed on it or attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure or drawing of any kind.
• The American flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying or delivering anything.

When the American 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 American Flag, it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.

The American Flag should be cleaned and mended when neccessary.

When an American 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.

Displaying the American Flag Outdoors

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

When the American Flag 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 American flag during church services for Navy personnel when conducted by a Naval Chaplain on a ship at sea.

When the Flag of the United States 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 the American Flag is flown with flags of states, communities, or societies on seperate flagpoles which are of the same height and are in a straight line, the US Flag is always placed in the position of honor - to its own right. The other flags may be smaller but none may be larger than the American Flag. No other flag should ever be placed above the American Flag. The Flag of the United States is always the first flag to be raised and the last to be lowered.

When flown with the national banner of other countries, each flag must be displayed from a seperate flag 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 American Flag

The American 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 United States Flag 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 American Flag Indoors

When on display, the United States Flag is accorded the place of honor, always positioned to its own right. Place the flag to the right of the speaker or staging 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 American Flag and the staffs are crossed, the US Flag is placed on its own right with its staff in front of the other flag.

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

Parading and Saluting the American Flag

When carried in a proccession, the US 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 American Flag in Mourning

To place the American 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 flagpole. The flag is to be raised again to the peak for a moment before it is lowered. On Memorial day, the American Flag is displayed at half-staff until noon and at full staff from noon until sunset.

The Flag of the United States of America is to be flown at half-staff in mourning for designated, principal government leaders and upon Presidential or Gubernatorial order.

When used to cover a casket, the American flag should be placed with the union at the head and over the left shoulder. It should not be lowered into the grave.

From The United States Flag Page