If You Going To Hang It….
Hang It Right!
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If You Going To Hang It…. |
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I’m glad to see so many folks flying
the US Flag. I’m not so happy to
see it being displayed incorrectly. Especially
when it is being displayed on a wall, or as a “sticker” or decal in a window
or on a car.
So here is all the info on “How” to
display the flag:
CARRYING
THE FLAG
When marching...
Carry the flag on the right in any procession or parade. If there are many other
flags, carry the flag in the front center position.
If you are carrying a flag...
Hold the flag at a slight angle from your body. You can also carry it with one
hand and rest it on your right shoulder.
DISPLAYING
THE FLAG OUTDOORS
On a vehicle...
Attach the flag to the antenna or clamp the flagstaff to the right fender. Do
not lay the flag over the vehicle.
On a building...
Hang the flag on a staff or on a rope over the sidewalk with the stars away from
the building.
Over the street...
Hang the flag with the stars to the east on a north-south street or north on an
east-west street.
Above other flags...
Hang the flag above any other flag on the same pole.
Other flags, separate poles...
Hang all flags on equal poles. Hang the U.S. flag on its own right, hoist it
first and lower it last.
In a window...
Hang the flag vertically with the stars to the left of anyone looking at it
from the street.
Half-mast...
This is a sign of mourning. Raise the flag to the top of the pole then lower
it to the half-way point. Before lowering the flag, raise it to the top again at
the end of the day.
Upside down...
An upside-down flag is considered a distress signal.
DISPLAYING
THE FLAG INDOORS
Multiple staffs...
If you display the flag on a staff with other flags around it, place the
flag at the center and highest point. Crossed staffs - Keep the flagstaff higher
and on its own right.
Behind a speaker...
Hang the flag flat on the wall. Do not decorate the podium or table with the
flag. Use bunting for decoration.
Next to a speaker...
Place the flag in a stand on the speaker’s right. Use the same placement
for a religious service.
In a hall or lobby...
Hang the flag vertically across from the main entrance with the stars to the
left of anyone coming through the door.
On a casket...
Drape the flag with its canton at the head and over the left shoulder of the
body. Do not lower the flag into the grave.
All the Facts:
U.S. Flag Law....
Guidelines for display of the U.S. flag
Public Law 94-344, known as the Federal Flag Code, contains rules for handling and displaying the U.S. flag.
Points to remember:
[Note: The blue field with 50 stars is called the
union.]
Traditional guidelines call for displaying the flag in public only from sunrise to sunset. However, the flag may be displayed at all times if it’s illuminated during darkness.
The flag should not be subject to weather damage, so it should not be displayed during rain, snow or wind storms --- unless it’s an all-weather flag.
The flag should be displayed often, especially on national and state holidays.
The flag should be displayed on or near the main building of public institutions, schools when in session, and polling places on Election Day.
It should be hoisted briskly and lowered slowly.
When carried in procession with other flags, the U.S. flag should be either on the marching right (the flags’ right) or to the front and center of the flag line.
When displayed on a float in a parade, the flag should be hung from a staff or suspended so it falls free; it should not be draped over a vehicle.
When displayed with another flag from crossed staffs, the U.S. flag should be on its own right (left to a person facing the wall). Its staff should be in front of the other flag’s staff.
In a group of flags displayed from staffs, the U.S. flag should be at the center and at the highest point.
When flags of states, cities or organizations are flown on the same staff, the U.S. flag must be at the top.
When other flags are flown from adjacent staffs, the U.S. flag should be hoisted first and lowered last. It must be on the right of other flags, and no flag should stand higher than it does.
Flags of other nations should be flown on separate staffs. International custom dictates that flags of different nations be displayed at the same height in peacetime and be approximately the same size.
When a flag is displayed other than on a staff, it should be flat or suspended so that it falls free. When displayed against a wall or object, the union should be at the top and to the flag’s own right (the observer’s left) whether displayed horizontally or vertically.
When displayed flat against the wall on a speaker’s platform, the flag should be above and behind the speaker with union on the flag’s right side (the audience’s left).
When the flag hangs from a staff in a church or public place, it should be on the speaker’s right side (the audience’s left) and any other flags should be on the opposite side of the speaker.
When displayed over a street or walkway where the flag can be seen from either side, the union should be to the north on an east-west street and to the east on a north-south street. The same directions apply to a building lobby or corridor with entrances to the east and west or north and south.
The flag may cover a casket, but it should not cover a statue or monument for unveiling.
On a casket, the union should be over the deceased’s left shoulder and near the head and heart. The flag should be removed before the casket is lowered.
When the flag is worn or soiled, it should be destroyed in a dignified way. Veterans’ organizations burn old flags in special ceremonies.
Things not to do with the flag:
Never drape the flag or draw it back in folds.
Never dip the flag for any person or thing even though other flags may be dipped as a mark of honor.
Never let the flag touch anything beneath it, such as the ground or floor.
Never display the flag with the union down, except as a signal of distress.
Never carry it flat/horizontally. Always carry it aloft.
Never place anything on the flag, including letters, insignia, or designs.
Never use it to hold objects of any kind.
Never use a flag as wearing apparel, bedding or drapery. A flag should not be used on a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be attached to the uniforms of patriotic organizations, military personnel, police officers and firefighters.
Never use the flag for advertising or promotional purposes.
Never print the flag on napkins, boxes
or other materials that will be used and then discarded.
Now that you know how to show it, you should know what to do with your flag when it gets worn out. NO! You don’t just throw it in the trash. Here is how you do it:
The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution web site has all the info:
http://www.sar.org/colors/retiflag.htm
You can also contact your local American Legion:
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| Because It's The Right Thing To Do. | ||
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Last modified: November 08, 2002
