Our Flag

HOW TO HONOR AND DISPLAY IT

“NO DISRESPECT SHOULD BE SHOWN

TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA”

--U.S. FLAG CODE

“THE FLAG STANDS FOR ALL THAT WE HOLD DEAR---

FREEDOM,

DEMOCRACY,

GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE,

 BY THE PEOPLE, AND FOR THE PEOPLE.”

U. S. Flag Code---

The United States Flag Code, first adopted in 1923, and later amended, prescribes flag etiquette for a variety of circumstances ensuring that our national symbol is treated properly.

Care & Respect

The U.S. flag should always be treated with the utmost

 care and respect. Remember, the flag represents a

 living country and, as such, is considered a living thing.

1. Always display the flag with the union field up—never display the flag upside down, except as a distress signal.

2. Always hold the flag carefully---- never let it touch anything beneath it: the ground, the floor, water or merchandise.

3. Always carry the flag aloft and free---- never carry it flat or horizontally.

4. Always keep the flag clean and safe---- never let it become torn, soiled or damaged.

5. Always dispose of a worn flag properly, preferably by burning it. (note: you can call your local chapter of the Boy Scouts, as they will accept and retire the flag with honor.)

6. Always treat the flag with respect. Never use it for advertising purposes. Never embroider it on household items or pieces of clothing. Never use it as part of a costume or athletic uniform. However, it is proper to attach a flag patch to the uniforms of military personnel, fire fighters, police officers and members of other patriotic organizations---- provided the patch is properly affixed.

Flag Facts

• The U.S. Flag, adopted on June 14, 1777, is the fourth oldest flag in the world. Denmark’s flag, adopted in 1219, is the oldest.

• A flag expert is called a “vexillogist.”

• The blue field on the U.S. flag is called the “union”

• On Memorial Day (the last Monday in May), to honor all who died in battle, the flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon only, then raised to the top of the staff for the remainder of the day.

• Since 1834, the U.S. Flag has flown continuously next to the grave of the Revolutionary War hero, the Marquis de Lafayette, near Paris France.

• June 14 was proclaimed Flag Day by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916. While Flag Day was a popular celebration in scores of communities for many years after Wilson’s proclamation, it didn’t receive its official Congressional designation until 1949.

Displaying the flag properly

Because the U.S. Flag is the symbol of our country, it should always be displayed in the most prominent, most honored position. No other flag should ever appear more important.

A.     On a wall: When the flag is displayed on a wall, it should be displayed with the union uppermost and to the observer’s left.

B.     In Multi-National Flag Displays: In the United States, the U.S. flag is to be displayed first----to “its own right” ---- followed by the flags of all other countries (at equal height and in alphabetical order) to the left (observer’s right) of the U.S. Flag.

C.     Among Subordinate Flags: When the U.S. Flag is among a group of subordinate flags, such as state and organization flags, the U.S. Flag should be at the center and at the highest point--- the position of prominence.

D.     Displayed From A Staff: When displayed from a staff, the flag should hold the position of superior prominence, in advance of the audience, and to the speaker’s right (facing the audience). If other flags are also displayed, they should be displayed to the speaker’s left.

E.     On A Pole: When several flags are flown from the same flag pole, the U.S. Flag should always be at the top---- except during church services by naval Chaplin’s at sea when the church pennant may be flown above the U.S. Flag on the ships mast.

                        The United Nations Headquarters Building in New York City, where the U.N. Flag holds the most prominent position, is the only U.S. location exempted from this provision,

F.     Among Peers: When flags from two or more nations are displayed, the flag code forbids the display of any nation’s flag in a position superior to another in time of peace. Therefore, each flag should be of approximately equal size and flown at the same height.

G.     On A Lapel: When the flag is displayed as a lapel pin, it should be worn on the left lapel---- near the heart.

The National Anthem

The “Star Spangled Banner” was written in 1814 by Francis Scott Key and declared the national anthem in 1931.

When the National Anthem is played or sung, citizens should stand and face the flag to show respect for the United States. A non uniformed person wearing a hat must remove it with the right hand and hold it against the left shoulder, right hand resting over the heart. Those in uniform must stand at attention and salute the flag. (Note: if the flag is not displayed, face the music instead.)

Formal Occasions

A.     Parades and Review: In parades, at the moment the flag passes, all non-uniformed persons should stand at attention facing the flag with their right hands over their hearts. Persons in uniform should face the flag and render the military salute.

B.     Processions: In processions, the flag should be to the right of the marchers. When other flags are included, the U.S. Flag should be centered in front of the others or carried to their right.

C.     Memorials, Burials and Funerals: During these services, the flag should lay over the casket with the blue field covering the head and left shoulder. The flag must not be lowered into the grave or allowed to touch the ground at any time.

Folding the Flag

To properly fold the U.S. Flag, follow these steps:

1. Two people face each other, each hold one end of the flag. Stretch it horizontally at waist height and fold in half lengthwise.

2. Fold the flag in half again, the union (blue field) should be on the outside with edges held together.

3. One person holds the flag by the union and the other starts at the opposite end by making a triangular fold.

4. Continue to fold in triangles until the flag resembles a cocked hat with only the blue field showing.

Flying at Half-Staff

Flying the U.S. Flag at half-staff, or on a ship at half-mast, is an honored tradition which signifies that the nation is in mourning due to the death of a prominent citizen. In 1976, when the flag code was amended, changes were incorporated concerning whose death meets the criteria befitting a half-staff display. These changes make it difficult to define the half-staff criteria clearly and concisely.

However, generally speaking, the flag code dictates that the U.S. Flag be flown at half-staff only upon the death of principal figures of the U.S. Government and the governor of a state, territory, or possession, as a mark of respect to their memory. ( Note: for specific information concerning the limited additions to this general provision, please refer to the flag code.)

When desiring to honor someone who has died but for whom a half-staff display is not appropriate, National Flag Foundation recommends adhering to the flag code by lowering private flags to half-staff (e.g., corporate, fraternal, military, ect.) This substitution of flags preserves the integrity of the “nation in mourning” distinction while allowing appropriate mourning for the deceased.

To position the flag at half-staff, first hoist the flag to the peak of the staff for an instant before lowering it to the half-staff position---- roughly half way between top and bottom of the staff. Before lowering it for the day, raise the flag again to the peak for an instant.

The Pledge of Allegiance

“ 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.”

Whenever the Pledge of Allegiance is recited, all non-uniformed persons should stand at attention facing the flag with their right hands over their hearts. Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag and render the military salute.

Note: For more information on the flag and the code please refer to the National Flag Foundation. Their website is at www.americanflags.org