How To Honor and Display the American Flag

Many traditions have grown up regarding the display and use of the United States flag. These traditions, intended as marks of respect, are widely observed. The Army, Navy, and Air Force have their own regulations, but these do not apply outside the armed services. To supply a guide for the proper use and display of the flag, a code was drawn up at a National Flag Conference, held in Washington, D.C., June 14-15, 1923. This was revised by the Second National Flag Conference, held on May 15, 1924. Finally in June 1942, Congress adopted a resolution (amended in 1942, 1945, 1953 and 1954) which made the flag code a law.

The Flag Code

1. The flag should be flown only from sunrise to sunset. Upon special occasion, however, it may be displayed at night to produce a patriotic effect. (On the basis of this provision, the flag is flown day and night at the following locations, in accordance with presidential proclamation, public law, or local custom: Flag House Square and Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, both in Baltimore, Md.; Francis Scott Key' birthplace, Keysville, Md.; Little Bighorn Battlefield, Montana; the Marine Corps Monument, Arlington, Va.; Mount Stover, Colton, Ca.; Mount surabachi, Iwo Jima; Pikes Peak, Colorado; The Plaza, Taos, N.M.; the United States Capitol; the War Memorial, Worschester, Mass.; and the town green in Lexington, Mass.)

2. The flag should be displayed on all days when the weather permits, particlularly on national and state holidays and on historic and special occasions.

3. The flag should be displayed in or near every polling place on election days.

4. The flag should be displayed during school days in or near every schoolhouse.

5. The flag should always be hoisted briskly and lowered slowly and ceremoniously.

6. When carried in a procession with other flags, the flag of the United States should be either on the marching right - that is, its own right - or in front of the center of the line of flags.

Cautions Listed In Flag Code

1. Do not permit disrespect to be shown to the flag of the United States of America.

2. Do not dip the flag to any person or thing. The regimental color, state flag, organization flag, or institutional flag will render this honor.

3. Do not display the flag with the union down except as a signal of dire distress.

4. Do not place any flag or pennant above or to the right of the flag. (The only exceptions are: at United Nations Headquarters, in New York City, the Untied Naitons flag flies above all others; the Navy church pennant flies above the flag during church services.)

5. Do not let the flag touch anything beneath it.

6. Do not place on or above the flag, or place any part of it or attach to it any object or emblem of any kind or any mark, insignia, word, letter, figure, design, picture, or drawing.

7. Do not use the flag as drapery in any form whatever, but always allow it fall free.

8. Do not display or store the flag in such a way as will permit it to be easily torn or soiled.

9. Do not drape the flag over the hood, top, sides, or back of a vehicle, train, or boat. To display the flag on a motorcar, fasten the staff firmly to the chassis.

10. Do not display the flag on a float in a parade except from a staff or as follows: (a) flat or (b) so suspended that its folds fall free.

11. Do not use the flag as a covering for a ceiling.

12. Do not carry the flag flat or horizontally but always, as in a parade, aloft and free.

13. 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.

14. Do not use the flag in any form of advertising.

15. Do not use the flag to hold or carry anything.

The president is empowered to alter any rule or custom pertaining to the use and display of the flag.

Salute To The Flag

When the flag is passing in a parade or review or is being hoisted or lowered, all persons should face the flag, stand at attention, and salute. Those in uniform should render the military salute. Men not in uniform should remove the hat with the right hand and hold the hat at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Men without hats and women should place the right hand over the heart. Aliens should stand at attention. A viewer should salute the flag in a parade at the moment it passes him.

When the national anthem is played and the flag is not displayed, all present shoud stand and face toward the music. Those in uniform should salute at the first note and retain this position until the last note. All others should stand at attention, the men removing their hats. When the flag is displayed, all should face it and give the appropriate salute, as described above.

Pledge To The Flag

In pledging allegiance to the flag, stand with the right hand over heart or at attention. Men remove their headdress. Persons in uniform give the military salute. All pledge together:

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.

Days to Display Flag

(Weather Permitting)

New Years Day, January 1; Inauguration Day, January 20; Lincoln's Birthday, February 12; Washington's Birthday, February 22; Army Day, April 6; Easter Sunday (variable); Mother's Day, second Sunday in May; Memorial Day, (half-staff until noon), May 30; Flag day, June 14; Independence Day, July 4; Labor Day, first Monday in September; Constitution Day, September 17; Columbus Day, October 12; Navy Day, October 27; Veterans Day, Novemebr 11; Thanksgiving Day, fourth Thursday in Novemebr; Christmas Day, December 25; such other days as may be proclaimed by the President of the United States; the birthdays of states (dates of admissions); and on state holidays.

FLAG TERMINOLOGY

Canton - upper corner nearest the staff. This is the point of honor in a flag. The canton is call the union in the United States flag.

Field - the part of the flag outside the canton; or the background color of each division of a flag.

Flagstaff - the pole on which a flag is displayed.

Fly - the length of a flag from staff to free end; or the outer end, farthest from the staff (often called the fly end).

Ground - same as the field.

Halyard - the ropes used to raise and lower a flag.

Hoist - the height of a flag from top to bottom; or the part closest to the staff.

National Colors - the United States flag carried by foot troops and by supreme commanders; usual size 4 feet 4 inches by 5 feet 6 inches.

National Standard - the United States flag flown by mechanized and motorized troops; usual size 3 feet by 4 feet.

Post Flag - the United States flag flown over military posts; size 10 feet by 19 feet.

Run up the Flag - means to hoist a flag.

Storm Flag - the United States flag flown over military posts in bad weather; size 5 feet by 9 feet 6 inches.

Strike the Flag - means to lower a flag.