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.
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
1. When the flag is displayed 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.
2. The flag of the United States of America, when it is displayed with another flag
against a wall from crossed staffs, should be on the right, the flag's own right and its staff should be in front of the staff
of the other flag.
3. The flag, when 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
flag staffs in a parade only by order of the President of the
United
States.
4. When flags of States, cities, or localities, or pennants of societies are flown
on the same halyard with the flag of the United States, the latter 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.
5. When the flag is suspended over a sidewalk 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.
6. When the flag of the United States is displayed from a staff projecting horizontally
or at an angle from the window sill, balcony, or front of a building, the union of the flag should be placed at the peak of
the staff unless the flag is at half-staff.
7. When the flag is 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.
8. When the flag is displayed in a manner other than by being flown from a staff,
it should be displayed flat, whether indoors or out. When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the
union should be uppermost and to the flag's own
right, that is, to the observers 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, rosetts or drapings are desired,
bunting of blue, white and red should be used, but never
the flag.
9. That 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.
10. 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 or localities or pennants of societies are grouped and displayed from staffs.
11. 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.
12. When displayed from a staff in a church or public auditorium, 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 faces the audience. Any other flag so displayed should be placed on
the left of the clergyman or speaker or to the right of the audience.
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.
The Salute
When the flag passes in a procession, or when it is hoisted or lowered, all should face
the flag and 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.When
the flag passes in a procession, or when it is hoisted or lowered, all should face the flag and salute.
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.
Page 2 contains an illustrated guide to folding the flag and the flag folding
ceremony.
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