The powmia flag should be on the marching right of the line of flags bottom illustration, unless otherwise stipulated by your state flag code. The american flag is displayed even above church flags. Department of veterans affairs va to honor and respect the deceased. Etiquette, rules, and guidelines regarding the display and care of the american flag, as advised by u. Flag etiquette rules and regulations us flag supply. The flag of the united states of america is a symbol of. When raising the flag, hoist briskly to the top of the pole. Many americans may not realize that some of the things they do, including some methods of disposing of an old flag, are actually disrespectful if not done correctly. It is chapter 1 of title 4 of the united states code 4 u. If they are given a small flag, please do not throw it on the ground or in the street. If other flags will be the same halyard, the american flag should always be at the peak.
Flags flown from angled poles on homes and those displayed indoors are usually either 3 x 5 or 4 x 6. Public law 94344, known as the federal flag code, contains rules for handling and displaying the u. The code applies only on american soil flying the flag at halfstaff the term halfstaff refers to the position of a flag halfway. Never place another flag above or to the right of the american flag.
When displayed from a staff projecting from a building, the union should be at the peak of the staff. Other recommended sizes are shown in the following table. Flagpole guidelines regarding the height of a flagpole appropriate for various sized flags. Here, were looking at how to properly display, fold, and care for your american flag. Flag etiquette and flagpole etiquette morgan francis. American flag etiquette care and display guidelines. If other flags are on adjacent staffs, the american flag should be raised and lowered first. Shop online on your ipad or smartphone check online for more details about american flag etiquette. 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. When and how to retire an american flag respectfully. Flag etiquette for kids is one of the unique skills that should be one of life skills for teens that you work on this year when i was a kid we always had a united states flag flying at our house.
The flag of the united states of america is a symbol of freedom and liberty to which americans pledge their allegiance. It even describes in great detail how to retire an american flag respectfully. Flagpole etiquette follows the guidelines of flag etiquette. The american flag must always be displayed in a position of prominence. No such flag or pennant may be placed above the flag of the united states or to the united states flags right. The flag should not touch the ground or floor beneath it. The flag of the united states of america is saluted as it is hoisted and lowered. When displayed from a staff projecting horizontally from a windowsill, balcony, or building, the stars of the flag should be placed at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at halfstaff.
As adopted by the national flag conference, washington, d. When displayed or carried in a procession with other flags, the flag should be positioned to its own right. On a stage, the american flag should be placed to the speakers right and all other flags placed to the left. Displaying the flag with other flags on american soil. Armed forces uniforms backwards where is the flag flown 24 hours a day by law what do the colors and gold fringe on the flag mean find answers to flag etiquette questions answers to questions about the rules concerning the display of the flag at halfstaff. With the average outdoor flag statistically only lasting about 90 days star. Its tempting to mimic the pregame ceremonies at football games and carry the giant flags horizontally. The size of the flag is determined by the exposed height of the flagpole from which it is flying. The ultimate guide to flag etiquette the american flags is one of the most treasured and important symbols of our country, and its important that respect is shown to it at all times. We have excerpted the federal regulations here without. The salute is held until the flag is unsnapped from the halyard or through the last note of music, whichever is the longest. It should not be flown lower than another flag nor should it be smaller than another flag flown in the same display. It is proper to display the flag from sunrise to sunset on all days the weather. How to properly retire an american flag us flag etiquette.
Flagpole size should be chosen with the following taken into consideration. Find answers to common and uncommon questions about the united states flag and its evolution. The united states flag code establishes advisory rules for display and care of the national flag of the united states of america. Crs the united states flag federal law relating to display and associated questions.
The following codification of existing rules and customs pertaining to the display and use of the flag of the united states of america is established for the. But, did you know there are also general guidelines for the appropriate height of a flagpole. How to properly display the american flag event resources. Would you like to know when the president has ordered the flag flown at halfstaff. Flag etiquette the american flag has a long history, and the members of our organization have spent nearly as long defending and honoring our nations most iconic symbol of freedom. 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.
Flag etiquette suggests what size flag should be flown on what size pole for the most aesthetically pleasing look. Flag day isnt simply about honoring a particular design on a cloth. Guidelines for displaying the flag of the united states pdf. No other flag should be placed above, or if on the same level, to. Flag manual the starspangled banner the national anthem of the united states by act of congress, march 3, 1931 oh, say, can you see, by the dawns early light, whose broad stripes and. 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. The flag etiquette has been attached at the end of this document. While the federal code contains no penalties for misusing the flag, states have their own flag codes and may impose penalties. When the flag is displayed over the middle of the street, it should be suspended vertically with the union blue field of stars to the north in an east and west street or to the east in a north and south street. The flag is typically flown from sunrise to sundown. There are very specific rules guiding the proper american flag etiquette. This page will teach you how to care for your flag.
Flags from other nations should be flown at the same level and to the left of. 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. Flag etiquette when we respect the flag, we respect the men and women who sacrificed to build this country and protect its freedom. When flags of states, cities, or localities are flown on the same halyard with the united states flag, the national flag should always be at the top. Flag retirement options how to properly dispose of a tattered american flag disposal locations displaying a flag outside for all to see, where it will experience different temperatures and everchanging weather, will result in a worn flag eventually even the best flags. Here is a list of rules and guidelines for displaying the american flag and treating it with proper respect. A website dedicated to the flag of the united states of. The exception is at the united nations headquarters where the. When performed by naval bands, renditions not be performed by naval bands as a tribute to of hail h the chie shall be as prescribed in other dignitaries. Standards of respect parading and saluting the flag the salute. Remember to respect your flag and learn some new flag terms on this flag and flagpole faq page. 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 that means the viewers left webmaster, and its staff should be in front of the staff of.
Whether youre looking for the historic details of how the u. Non uniformed servicemembers, military retirees, and. The care and display guidelines for the american flag can be quite confusing, creating situations that cause etiquette faux pas. The flag, and all it stands for, has always been very important to my dad. Show proper respect for the american flag by following these etiquette tips. When lowering, it is to be done slowly and respectfully. Flag etiquette and rules how to display flags american.
Flag etiquette trifold the american flag foundation. When displaying the flag against a wall, vertically or horizontally, the flags union stars should be at the top, to the flags own right, and to the observers left. When we honor the flag, we honor our country, our people, and ourselves. When placed on a podium the flag should be placed on the speakers right or the staging area. Flag code has outlined proper flag etiquette on everything from when, where, and how you should fly an american flag. How to honor and display the american flag when displaying the flag, it is important to remember to use the guidelines laid out by the u. But the flag etiquette code is pretty clear on this. Maintaining and caring for an american flag, or any flag in fact, can be more difficult than it sounds. On a stage, the american flag should be placed to the. American flag etiquette rules on displaying, folding. 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. Flag etiquette by it is the universal custom to display the american flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open.
When the american flag is used during a ceremony for a serviceman or woman, there are several rules suggested by the u. To show respect, be sure to follow flag etiquette and properly hang the american flag. As flag day approaches, learn more about the history behind some of americas funeral traditions featuring flags. Flags, pennants, honors, cerehlonies and customs president oftbe united states, and as such will 2. No other flag may be flown above the united states flag. Do not salute small handheld flags carried by parade attendees and participants. No such flag or pennant may be placed above the flag of the united states or to the united states flag s right. 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. If you like to display your american flag 24 hours a day, yearround, there are a few things you should know. Guidelines for display of the flag public law 94344, known as the federal flag code, contains rules for handling and displaying the u. The language of the federal code makes clear that the flag is a living symbol. In a procession, the american flag should be to the right the flag s own right of any other flag or, if in a line of other flags, in front of the center of that line.
Flag code, passed by congress in 1942, provides guidelines regarding american flag etiquette. 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. The american flag is displayed even above church flags except on rare occasions. Many of our readers ask about american flag etiquette and the u. When the flags are flown from adjacent staffs, the flag of the united states should be hoisted first and lowered last. Federal law relating to display and associated questions congressional research service 1 background public concern and confusion regarding the proper respect shown to the united states flag has given rise to many questions on the law relating to the flag. The united states flag code outlines proper flag etiquette for everything from properly folding a flag to flying a flag correctly. Standing at attention and facing the flag with their right hand over the heart, they recite. Honor the flag how to properly display the american flag. Flag code illustrates and describes the correct way to display the american flag.
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