The Emblem of the Land We Love
Reprinted
Since it’s creation in 1777, the American Flag has been a symbol of freedom and liberty. With its red and white alternating stripes and 13 white stars in a sea of blue, the first flag represented the independence declared by the 13 colonies in 1776. Although the flag has changed 26 times since its creation, the principles for which it first stood remains unchanged.
Since the attacks on September 11, Americans have taken pride in displaying the American flag. While many Americans demonstrate their patriotism and support of their country by flying Old Glory, many don’t realize the Flag has it’s own code on the proper way it should be presented.
The following information on Flag etiquette is based on the U.S. Flag Code as amended by congress on
The flag should be flown only from sunrise to sunset. Upon special occasions, however, it may be displayed at night to produce a patriotic effect. The flag should be displayed on all days when the weather permits, particularly on national and state holidays and on historic and special occasions.
The flag should always be hoisted briskly and lowered slowly and ceremoniously. When carried in a procession with other flags, the flag of the should be either on the marching right that is, its own right or in front of the center of the line of flags.
When a number of flags are grouped and displayed from staffs, the flag of the should be at the highest point or at the center or the first flag at the right of the center. When flags of two or more nations are displayed, they should fly from separate staffs of the same height and the flags should be approximately equal in When the flag is displayed from a staff projecting horizontally or at an angle from the windowsill, balcony, or front of a building, the union, or field of stars, should be at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half-staff. When it is to be 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.
When the flag is displayed in a manner other than by being flown from a staff, it should be displayed flat, whether indoors or outdoors, or suspended that its folds fall free as if staffed. When displayed against a wall, the union should be uppermost and to the flag’s own right (observer’s left). When displayed in a window, the union should be to the left of the observer in the street.
When displayed over the middle of the street, as between buildings, the flag 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. On a speaker’s platform the flag, if used flat, should be placed above and behind the speaker. It should never be used to cover the speaker’s desk or draped over the front of the platform. If flown from a staff, it should be on the speaker’s right.
When flown at half-staff, the flag is hoisted to the peak for an instant, and then lowered to the half-staff position. Before the flag is lowered for the day, it is raised again to the top. Half-staff honors the heroic dead and indicates mourning; full staff shows that the nation lives, for the flag is the symbol of the living nation.
When displayed from a staff in a church or public auditorium, the flag of the U.S. should hold the position of honor at the speaker’s right as he or she faces the congregation or audience. Any other flag so displayed should be placed on the left of the speaker or to the right of the audience.
When a flag is no longer fit for display, it should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning. A flag may be washed or dry-cleaned.
Cautions Listed in Flag Code*
Do not permit disrespect to be shown to the flag of the
Do not dip the flag to any person or thing.
Do not display the flag with the union down except as a signal of dire distress.
Do not let the flag touch anything beneath it.
Do not place or attach to it any object or emblem of any kind or any mark, insignia, word, letter, figure, design, picture, or drawing.
Do not use the flag as drapery in any form whatever, but always allow it to fall free.
Do not drape the flag over the hood, top, sides, or back of a vehicle, train, and boat or as a covering for a ceiling.
Do not display the flag on a float in a parade except from a staff, flat or suspended that its folds fall free.
Do not carry the flag flat or horizontally but always, as in a parade, aloft and free.
Do not use the flag as any portion of a costume or athletic uniform.
Do not embroider it or print it upon anything that is intended for discard.
Do not use the flag in any form of advertising.
Do not use the flag to hold or carry anything.
