US Flag Etiquette

 

 Note: Admin originally planned to upload a little brochure with some of the basics, but it seemed a little confusing. Soooo… Admin looked online for a guide with pictures and fell into the 'pit of details.'  After about 4-5 hours of research using reliable websites (Old Farmer's Almanac website and comments; American Legion, National VFW's website), Admin decided that the list from the original code was too long for anyone to read the whole thing (and noticed that the same questions popped up despite the pages already answering their questions earlier), so Admin broke it down into four sections for you (to share with those who don’t know, since most of you veterans probably already know): (1) Quick Summary (of all rules, hopefully worded to understand easily); (2) Myths and Main Worries; (3) Details, paraphrased (all the rules, re-worded to hopefully understand); and (4) Code and Sources (links to Admin's main sources and to the actual code, with subsections).

 

Quick Summary (what all the rules boil down to)

 

- equal height or taller than all other flags; basically same size or larger than all other flags; in front and to the observer's left (the flag's right); never share staff with other national flags; never dip in deference (like state or city flags can be)

- the union stars are always at top and to observer's left, whether vertical or horizontal; union stars at top tip of angled staff

- in streets, union stars to north or east depending on street; upside down only to signal distress in extreme danger to life or property - The US Flag should never be in the dark (if on display) or at risk of being damaged or soiled (dirty) at any time (displayed or stored)

- should always be able to fly free - never displayed flat; never used to hold, carry, or cover anything (except funeral caskets)

- nothing attached to it (embroidery, pins, stickers, etc)

- no commercial uses; not duplicated onto anything temporary or disposable (ie handkerchiefs, napkins; not used to wash or sit or lay on)

- do not wear an actual flag (clothing with flag images should be respectful to the flag, including keeping it clean while worn)

- retire worn out flags (burn respectfully if not toxic to do so; cutting into pieces first is not required but may help alleviate the feeling of disrespect; alternatively, you can turn it in to your local VFW, American Legion, or Veterans Administration).

- when half-staff is authorized: remember "all the way up first" when first putting on pole and when getting ready to take down from pole

!!! - In other words - treat it with extreme respect (and maybe a little 'pomp and circumstance' for tradition)

 

Myths and Main Worries

 

- the rules are a guide for respect; the law does not provide penalties if not followed (disrespectful  but not illegal)

- a flag used for a casket CAN be re-displayed in respectful ways - folded in the case or hanging free using the code for a guide

- any prior (old) officially-approved US flag may be displayed (regardless the number of stars or stripes)

- if a flag does touch the ground, correct the issue; it may still be used unless it has become worn out or soiled

- flags may be washed - just be sure it is material that can be washed or dry-cleaned

- only the US President or state governor can order a US Flag be put at half-staff (to mourn the death of a highly regarded National or state figure); please find alternative ways to honor others who have died

- fringing the flag (gold fringe around perimeter of flag, such as in some courts) is neither approved or prohibited

- no flag image on items (commercialism): use and intent are the key factors in deciding if an item with the image of the flag should be used: if the item is used for the purpose of soiling it and/or throwing it away (such as napkins, handkerchiefs, boxes) or meant to put your feet, butt, etc on (such as cushions, mats, stools), it should not have a flag on it - don’t buy it if it does; if the item is on something relatively permanent and intended to show pride/respect of the flag (like a hat or t-shirt with the flag), it should be ok but avoid wearing said items if the item is likely to become soiled from activities (such as wearing a t-shirt with a flag on it that will get sweaty while exercising or working hard or dirty cleaning the attic or car or whatever)

- 'half-staff' if pole is on land; 'half-mast' if pole is on a ship

- if displayed at night, it must have enough illumination to show that it is the American Flag, but doesn't have to be so bright as to be 'light pollution' (too bright and/or aimed incorrectly, thus disturbing others)

 

Details, paraphrased

 

General - lift/lower, where/when

 

-- The flag should be flown every day from sunrise to sunset; it can be flown at night if illuminated properly. 

-- The flag should be displayed at every public institution; in or near every polling place on election days; and at schoolhouses during school days. 

-- The flag is never allowed to touch the ground, floor, water, merchandise (or anything that would soil it or wear it out). 

-- On a staff indoors (ie church, auditorium), the flag should be in the position of honor and be placed at the speaker's right (observer's left). 

-- The flag is never flown in inclement weather except when using an all-weather flag (do not leave out if weather is likely to cause damage to flag, all-weather or not). 

-- The flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously. 

-- The flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon on Memorial Day then raised to the top of the staff. 

-- To fly at half-staff, first hoist flag up fully to peak for an instant then lower to half-staff position; to bring down for the day from half-staff, first hoist flag up fully to peak then bring all the way down to remove; half-staff for ONLY specific federal and state positions (ie US President…Governor). 

-- Never dip the US Flag in deference to anyone or anything (other flags may be dipped in deference/honor, based on their rules). 

-- Never fly the flag upside down except as a signal of distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property. 

 

On a Staff, Other Flags

 

-- The flag should never be below another; if on same level, the flag should be to observer's left (to the flag's right). 

  

-- The flag should be at the center and highest point of a group when with a group of state flags on separate staffs; the flag should be on top when sharing a staff with other flags from states, cities, group/organizations. 

         

  

-- National flags must each be on a separate staff, all the same height, equal or similar size but not larger than the US Flag; US Flag should be raised first and lowered last. 

  

-- When displayed as crossed staffs against a wall with another flag, the US Flag should be on the right (observer's left) with the US Flag's staff in front of the other staff.

  

-- When displayed from a staff projecting from a building (at an angle), the union stars should be at the peak of the staff. 

  

-- The United Nations flag may not be displayed above or in a position of superior prominence to the US Flag except at UN Headquarters. 

-- In a procession with one column, the flag is in front; in a procession of more than one column side-by-side, the flag is either in front to the right of other front flag(s) or in front of the center of those columns.

 

…..EXAMPLES:

 

…..…..--->  other flag  -  other flag  -  US flag 

…..OR 

…..…..--->  other flag  -  other flag  -  other flag 

…..…..--->  other flag  -  other flag  -  US flag 

…..OR 

…..…..--->  other flag  -  other flag  -  other flag 

…..…..                                                                         -  US Flag 

…..…..--->  other flag  -  other flag  -  other flag 

…..OR 

…..…..--->  other flag  -  other flag  -  other flag 

…..…..--->  other flag  -  other flag  -  other flag  -  US Flag 

…..…..--->  other flag  -  other flag  -  other flag 

 

  

Without a Staff

  

-- When hung vertically (tall instead of wide) or horizontally (wide instead of tall), the flag always has the union stars to the observer's left (to the flag's right). 

  

-- when displayed against a vertical shear (wall, door, etc , indoor or outdoor) it should be flat; or suspended so that its folds fall freely as though the flag were on a staff. 

  

-- When hung over a sidewalk on a rope extending from a building to a pole, the union stars are always away from the building. 

  

-- When displayed over the center of a street, the flag should be suspended vertically  with the union stars *to the north in an east/west street, and *to the east in a north/south street. 

  

-- On a platform, the flag should be above and behind the speaker with the union stars on the top and to the observer's left. 

  

General treatment/uses

 

-- The flag in not to be used to cover anything (exception - cover a casket, with union stars at the head over the left shoulder). 

-- The flag should never have anything placed on it in any way (attached or resting on it) or used to hold or carry anything. 

-- The flag should not be draped over any part of a vehicle; the flag must be hung from a staff fixed firmly to the chassis. 

-- The flag should not be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in any way that could damage, tear, or soil it. 

-- The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose, or have its image reproduced on anything temporary or disposable (cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, costumes, etc). 

-- The flag should never be carried flat or horizontal - it should always be aloft and free. 

-- The flag should never be handled or displayed in a way that prevents it from falling free.

  

Code and Sources:

 - ! Original (& Current) code: American Legion, Flag Code
 - Source: American Legion, Top 10 Flag Myths
 - Source: Old Farmer's Almanac (including comments below)
 - Source: National VFW, flags