The United States Flag Code'
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 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
speakers 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 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,
fireman, policeman 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.
Note: Most American Legion Posts regularly conduct a dignified
flag burning ceremony, often on Flag Day, June 14th.
Contact your local American Legion Hall and inquire about the
availability of this service.
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
ever should 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 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 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 flag's 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 the 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. The flag 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 flag should be placed with
the union at the head and over the left shoulder. It should
not be lowered into the grave.
