Flag

How to Honor and Display the American Flag

The Flag of the United States of America

Nothing evokes such strong emotion as seeing the flag, either a ceremony honoring
a great event or draped over a coffin as a sign of mourning for a hero or loved one.

Its unfurled banner, which symbolizes the love and pride that we have as a nation, is
a poignant reminder of America's greatness and our fortune to live in a country
which values freedom above all else. It signifies the commitment made by our fallen
comrades who battled bravely to defend the honor of this sacred emblem -- our
American unity, our power, and our purpose as a nation. And it exemplifies the
devotion of our leaders who continue to uphold its promise of liberty, justice, and
freedom for all.

Our nation reveres the flag, not out of a sense of unquestioning worship but out of a
deep sense of our national heritage. Strengthened by our noble deeds, splendid
accomplishments, and untold sacrifices, the flag reflects America's pledge to uphold
democracy and work for peace throughout the world. It is America's strength in
honor, as dignified in the stars and stripes of the flag, which helps to establish the
moral character of our national foundation.

The flag, endearingly referred to as "Old Glory," represents all people of America.
We, the people, are America. It is little wonder that the people of America are moved
when saluting the flag as it passes by, reminding us that we are a part of this great
land. We are "one nation under God."

With Liberty and Justice for All

Even before the American Revolution, flags bearing the familiar red and white
stripes, which symbolizes the unity of the original 13 colonies of America, began to
appear. These stripes were later combined with the British Union Jack to produce
the Continental flag that flew over George Washington's headquarters during the
siege of Boston.

Almost a year passed after the Declaration of Independence was signed before a
new flag was adopted by Congress. But variations in the flag were persistent, and
changes continued during much of the 19th century. The Flag Act of 1818 fixed the
number of horizontal stripes at 13, and gave the President the authority to determine
the star arrangement. The now-familiar stars and stripes were not carried into battle
by the United States Army until the Mexican War.

Finally, in 1912, an executive order was established which defined the design of the
flag, including the star arrangement. Later, when Alaska and Hawaii entered the
Union, stars representing those states were added to the flag, adapting the
traditional horizontal arrangement.

American involvement in the Spanish-American War, World War I, and World War II
stimulated patriotic sentiments and interest in the flag. In 1942, Congress
established rules and customs concerning the flag and the Pledge of Allegiance.

The years since World War II have seen the refinement of various laws and
regulations concerning the flag. Today, it has become an accepted part of the
decoration of most public buildings and a symbol regarded as appropriate to almost
any setting where citizens gather.

Pledge to the Flag

"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic
for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."

After first appearing in a copy of the Youth's Companion in 1892, as a celebration of
the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America, the pledge to the flag received
the official recognition of Congress on June 22, 1942. The phrase, "under God," was
added to the pledge by Congress on June 14, 1954, by President Dwight D.
Eisenhower, who said that "in this way we are reaffirming the transcendence of
religious faith in America's heritage and future; in this way we shall constantly
strengthen those spiritual weapons which forever will be our country's most
powerful resource in peace and war."

When rendering the pledge of allegiance, persons should stand at attention, face the
flag, and, if in uniform, salute, or otherwise place the right hand over the heart.
Persons wearing the caps of veterans' service organizations, such as the Disabled
American Veterans, are expected to salute. Others, such as Boy or Girl Scouts in
uniform, should render respect to the flag in accordance with the traditions of the
organization whose uniform they are wearing.

Our National Anthem

The "Star Spangled Banner" has been designated as the national anthem of the
United States of America. During the playing of the anthem when the flag is
displayed, persons not in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with their
right hand over their heart. Those in uniform should begin saluting the flag at the
first note of the music, and hold the salute until the last note of the anthem is played.

Again, this applies to those wearing veterans' organizations caps or the uniforms of
other patriotic organizations.

Displaying the Flag

When displaying the flag, it is important to remember certain guidelines of proper
flag etiquette. They are:

When on display or carried in a procession with other flags, the flag should be
positioned to its own right. Also, it should be placed to the right of the speaker or
staging area, while other flags are placed to the left.

When the flag is displayed from a staff projecting horizontally from a window sill,
balcony, or building, the stars of the flag should be placed at the peak of the staff
unless the flag is at half staff.

The flag 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 the flag is displayed either vertically or horizontally against a wall, the stars
should be placed at the top of the flag's right and the observer's left.

When the flag is unfurled for display across a street, it should be hung vertically,
with the stars to the north or east.

When the flag is flown with flags of other nations they are to be displayed from
separate staffs of the same height, and each should be of equal size. International
law forbids the display of the flag of one nation to be flown above that of another
nation during time of peace.

During a time of national mourning, the flag can be flown at half mast by order or
proclamation of the President of the United States. When flown at half mast, the flag
should be hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half staff
position. The flag should be raised to the peak before it is lowered at the end of the
day. On Memorial Day the flag should be displayed at half mast until noon, then
raised to the top of the staff and flown until sunset. Local customs regarding the
lowering of company, city, or other flags to half mast are directed by the executive
officers of those service areas.

When the flag is used to cover a casket, it should be placed with the stars at the
head and over the left shoulder. The flag should not be lowered into the grave or be
allowed to touch the ground.

Respect for the Flag

The Flag Code, a national guideline on ways in which the flag is to be respected,
states that no disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of
America. Specific ways in which the flag should not be used, according to the code,
are:

The flag should not be dipped to any person or thing, and can be flown upside down
only as a distress signal.
The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. Bunting of
red, white, and blue can be used for covering a speaker's desk, draping the front of a
platform, or for decoration in general.
The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used or stored in such a way that
would allow it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged.
The flag should never have any mark, insignia, letter, work, or other designs of any
kind placed upon it.
The flag should never be used for advertising purposes. It should not be
embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions,
handkerchiefs, paper napkins, boxes, or anything that is designed for temporary
use. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a flag's staff or halyard.
No part of the flag should be used as an element of a costume or athletic uniform.
However, a flag patch may be worn on the uniform of military personnel, police,
firemen, and members of patriotic or other national organizations, such as the
uniforms of veterans' service organizations or Scout uniforms.
When lowering the flag, make certain that no part of it touches the ground. It should
be received by waiting hands and arms. To store the flag, ceremoniously fold it
length wise in half, then repeat with the blue field on the outside. Finally, while one
person holds it by the blue field, another then makes a triangular fold in the opposite
end, continuing to fold it in triangles until only the blue field shows.

When a flag is in such a condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, it
should be destroyed in a dignified manner, preferably by burning.

Flying Our Flag

It is proper to display the flag from sunrise to sunset on all days the weather
permits. The flag may also be displayed at night if illuminated by a light. But it is
even more important to display the flag on national holidays and days of
importance, including:

New Year's Day Inauguration Day M. L. King, Jr's Birthday
Lincoln's Birthday Washington's Birthday Easter Sunday
Mother's Day Armed Forces Day Memorial Day
Flag Day Father's Day Independence Day
Labor Day Constitution Day Columbus Day
Veterans Day Thanksgiving Day Christmas Day
Election Days State Birthday State and Local Holidays

Other days the flag may be flown at half mast may be proclaimed by the President
of the United States.