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Flag Etiquette "We take the stars from heaven, the red from our mother country, separating it by white stripes, thus showing that we have separated from her, and the white stripes shall go down in posterity representing liberty." -George Washington Displaying the Flag Outdoors • The American Flag is ordinarily displayed only between sunrise and sunset. If it is flown after dark, it should be illuminated. • The flag should be raised briskly and lowered slowly. We should salute the flag as it is being raised and lowered. • When it is displayed from a staff projecting from a building, it's union (the blue area where the stars are located), should always be at the peak of the staff • When it is displayed over the middle of a street, the flag should be hung vertically with the union facing north in an east/ west street, or east in a north/ south street. • When it is suspended over a sidewalk, the union should be farthest from the building. • When it is displayed from the same flagpole, the flag of the United States must always be on top. When it is flown with the national banner of other countries, each flag must be displayed from a separate pole of the same height and size. Whenever possible, they should be raised/ lowered simultaneously. Otherwise, the United States flag should be raised/ lowered first. Displaying the Flag Indoors • When it is displayed alone, the national flag should be positioned to the right of the speaker's podium, entrance or other focal point. • When it is on display with flags of other nations, the American Flag should be to the right, the other flags to the left. When it is on display with flags of states or other citizens' organizations, the national flag should be at the center and at the highest point of the group. • When the staff of another flag crosses that of the United States, the flag of the United States is placed on the right, with its staff in front of the other flag. 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 is either centered in the front of the others or carried to their right. • When the American Flag passes in a procession, or when it is hoisted or lowered, all citizen observers should face the flag and salute. • To salute, all citizens should come to attention. A citizen not in uniform should place his/ her right hand over the heart, removing any headgear and bringing it to the left shoulder. • The pledge of allegiance should be rendered by standing at attention, facing the flag and saluting. • When the national anthem displayed or sung, citizens should stand at attention at the first note and salute, holding the salute through the last note. Flying the Flag in Times of Mourning • The flag is flown at half-staff only on order of the president or governor. • On Memorial Day, the flag is displayed at half-staff until noon, then raised to full-staff until sunset. • When used to cover a casket, the flag should be placed with the union at the head and over the left shoulder. The flag is not lowered into the grave, but instead folded and stored or, as a sign of honor, given to a designated mourner such as a family member. Treating the Flag with Respect • The national flag should never be dipped to any person, not even the President of the United States. • The flag should not be used as decoration, even for draping a speaker's platform at a political convention. Instead, use red/ white/ blue bunting. Also, the flag should never be used in advertisement. • The flag should not be used as part of a costume or uniform, expect as patchwork on military personnel, firemen, policemen and members of patriotic organizations. • The flag should be flown upside down only to signal distress. • When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object. • The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary. If too worn or dirty for service, the flag should be destroyed by burning. Conduct ceremonies for this purpose take place on Flag Day, June 14th. Any other day to burn a flag would be considered a desecration.
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Lisa M. Grotts |
