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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. They are:
- The flag should never be dipped
to any person or thing. It is flown upside down
only as a distress signal.
- The flag should not be used as
a drapery, or for covering a speakers desk,
draping a platform, or for any decoration in
general. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes
is available for these purposes. The blue stripe
of the bunting should be on the top.
- The flag should never be used
for any advertising purpose. It should not be
embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on
such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs,
napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be
discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs
should not be attached to the staff or halyard
- The flag should not be used as
part of a costume or athletic uniform, except
that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of
military personnel, fireman, policeman and
members of patriotic organizations.
- The flag should never have
placed on it, or attached to it, any mark,
insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or
drawing of any kind.
- The flag should never be used
as a receptacle for receiving, holding,
carrying, or delivering anything.
- When the flag is lowered, no
part of it should touch the ground or any other
object; it should be received by waiting hands
and arms. To store the flag it should be folded
neatly and ceremoniously.
- The flag should be cleaned and
mended when necessary.
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.
Note: Most American
Legion Posts regularly conduct a dignified flag
burning ceremony, often on Flag Day, June 14th.
Contact your local American Legion Hall and inquire
about the availability of this service.
When the flag is displayed from a staff projecting
from a window, balcony, or a building, the union
should be at the peak of the staff unless the flag
is at half staff.
When it is displayed from the same
flagpole with another flag - of a state, community,
society or Scout unit - the flag of the United
States must always be at the top except that the
church pennant may be flown above the flag during
church services for Navy personnel when conducted by
a Naval chaplain on a ship at sea.
When the flag is displayed over a
street, it should be hung vertically, with the union
to the north or east. If the flag is suspended over
a sidewalk, the flag's union should be farthest from
the building.
When flown with flags of states,
communities, or societies on separate flag poles
which are of the same height and in a straight line,
the flag of the United States is always placed in
the position of honor - to its own right.
..The other flags may be smaller but none may be
larger.
..No other flag ever should be placed above it.
..The flag of the United States is always the first
flag raised and the last to be lowered.
When flown with the national banner
of other countries, each flag must be displayed from
a separate pole of the same height. Each flag should
be the same size. They should be raised and lowered
simultaneously. The flag of one nation may not be
displayed above that of another nation.
When on display, the flag is accorded the place of
honor, always positioned to its own right. Place it
to the right of the speaker or staging area or
sanctuary. Other flags should be to the left.
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.
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.
When displaying the flag against a
wall, vertically or horizontally, the flag's union
(stars) should be at the top, to the flag's own
right, and to the observer's left.
The flag should be raised briskly and lowered slowly
and ceremoniously. Ordinarily it should be displayed
only between sunrise and sunset. It should be
illuminated if displayed at night.
The flag of the United States of America is saluted
as it is hoisted and lowered. The salute is held
until the flag is unsnapped from the halyard or
through the last note of music, whichever is the
longest.
When carried in a procession, the flag should be to
the right of the marchers. When other flags are
carried, the flag of the United States may be
centered in front of the others or carried to their
right. When the flag passes in a procession, or when
it is hoisted or lowered, all should face the flag
and salute.
To salute, all persons come to attention. Those in
uniform give the appropriate formal salute. Citizens
not in uniform salute by placing their right hand
over the heart and men with head cover should remove
it and hold it to left shoulder, hand over the
heart. Members of organizations in formation salute
upon command of the person in charge.
The pledge of allegiance should be rendered by
standing at attention, facing the flag, and
saluting.
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.
To place the flag at half staff, hoist it to the
peak for an instant and lower it to a position half
way between the top and bottom of the staff. The
flag is to be raised again to the peak for a moment
before it is lowered. On Memorial Day the flag is
displayed at half staff until noon and at full staff
from noon to sunset.
The flag is to be flown at half
staff in mourning for designated, principal
government leaders and upon presidential or
gubernatorial order.
When used to cover a casket, the
flag should be placed with the union at the head and
over the left shoulder. It should not be lowered
into the grave.
From:
usaflag,org |