 RULES
FOR DISPLAY OF THE AMERICAN FLAG
Display Outdoors
Over the Middle of the Street
It should be suspended vertically with the union to the north in an east
and west street or to the east in a north and south street.
Flown at Half-Staff
Should be first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to
the half-staff position. The flag should be again raised to the peak before
it is lowered for the day. By "half-staff: is meant lowering the
flag to one-half the distance between the top and bottom of the staff.
Crepe streamers may be affixed to spear heads or flagstaffs in a parade
only by order of the President of the United States.
Flown on the Same Halyard with Non-Nation Flags
The American Flag should always be at the peak. When the flags are flown
from adjacent staffs, the flag of the United States should be hoisted
first and lowered last. No such flag or pennant may be placed above the
flag of the United States or to the right of the flag of the United States.
Suspended Over a Sidewalk
The flag may be suspended from a rope extending from a house to a pole
at the edge of the sidewalk. The flag should be hoisted out, union first,
from the building.
From a Staff Projecting Horizontally or at an Angle
The flag may be projected from the window sill, balcony, or front of a
building with the union of the flag placed at the peak of the staff unless
the flag is at half-staff.
In a Parade with Other Flags
The flag, when carried in a procession with another flag or flags, should
be either on the marching right; that is, the flag's own right, or, if
there is a line of other flags, in front of the center of that line.
With Non-National Flags
The flag of the United States of America should be at tne center and at
the highest point of the group when a number of flags of states or localities
or pennants of societies are grouped and displayed from staffs.
With Other National Flags
When flags of two or more nations are displayed, they are to be flown
from separate staffs of the same height. The flags should be of approximately
equal size. International usage forbids the display of the flag of one
nation above that of another nation in time of peace.
With Another Flag Against a Wall from Crossed Staffs
Should be on the right, the flag's own right which is the viewer's left
and its staff should be in front of the staff of the other flag.
Display Indoors
From a Staff in a Church or Public Auditorium on a Podium
The flag of the United States of America should hold the position of superior
prominence, in advance of the audience, and in the position of honor at
the clergyman's or speaker's right as he/she faces the audience. Any other
flag so displayed should be placed on the left of the clergyman or speaker
(to the right of the audience).
From a Staff in a Church or Public Auditorium off the Podium
Custom and not the flag code hold that the flag of the United States of
America should hold the position of superior prominence as part of the
audience, in the position of honor at the audience's right.
Used to Cover a Casket
It should be so placed that the union is at the head and over the left
shoulder. The flag should not be lowered into the grave or allowed to
touch the ground.
Other than being Flown from a Staff
The flag should be displayed flat, whether indoors or out. When displayed
either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union should be
uppermost and the the flag's own right, that is, to the observer's left.
When displayed in a window, it should be displayed in the same way, that
is, with the union or blue field to the left of the observer in the street.
When festoons, rosettes or drapings are desired, bunting of blue, white
and red should be used, but never the flag.
AMERICAN FLAG ETIQUETTE
Federal law stipulates many aspects of flag etiquette. The section of
law dealing with American Flag etiquette is generally referred to as the
Flag Code. Some general guidelines from the Flag Code answer many of the
most common questions:
- The flag should be lighted at all times, either by sunlight or by
an appropriate light source.
- The flag should be flown in fair weather, unless the flag is designed
for inclement weather use.
- 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 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 the 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 any mark, insignia, letter, word, number,
figure, or drawing of any kind placed on it, or attached to it.
- The flag should never be used 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 shoujld be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.
DISPOSAL OF WORN U.S. FLAGS - PRIVATE OR PUBLIC PROCEDURE
Individuals are responsible for maintaining the U.S. Flag in their possession.
However, as a public service, some VFW and AL Posts have special details
assigned for gathering and disposing of worn national emblems. The following
suggested procedure is to be used in private or public for disposing of
a torn, soiled, or badly faded U.S. Flag.
- The Flag should be folded in its customary manner.
- It is important that the fire be sizeable and of sufficient intensity
to ensure complete burning of the Flag.
- Place the Flag on the fire.
- The individual(s) can come to attention, salute the Flag, recite
the Pledge of Allegiance and have a brief period of silent reflection.
- After the Flag is completely consumed, the fire should then be safely
extinguished and the ashes buried.
- Please make sure you are conforming to local/state fire codes or
ordinances.
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