Everything You Need to Know About American Flag Etiquette
Summer is almost here, which means it's time to get your American flags up and ready for the season's two major holidays-Memorial Day and July 4th. In honor of the most patriotic time of the year, we're taking a look at how to properly display, store, and take care of your American flag. In fact, the United States has an entire Flag Code to govern how American flags are handled and presented-we broke down the guidelines below:
There Are Specific Standards of Respect.
The flag code features instructions on how the flag should not be used based on standards of respect. That includes the rule that the flag should never be dipped to any person or thing, and the flag is flown upside down only as a distress signal. The flag should also never be used as clothing, drapery or decoration, and it should never touch anything beneath it, including the ground or floor, even as you lower it. You should also not attach or add a mark, insignia, word, or any type of drawing on a flag. It also should not be used for advertising purposes.
Keep Your Flag Clean and Mended.
When your flag is worn out and no longer in great condition, or if it's damaged, it should be destroyed in a "dignified way, preferably by burning," according to the flag code.
Follow the Guidelines on How to Display Your Flag.
When displayed in a window, the flag should have the union or blue field to the left of the observer in the street. If you are displaying the flag horizontally or vertically, the union should appear on the upper-left hand side. If you are showcasing a flag over the middle of the street, it should be suspended vertically with the union to the north, if placed in an east and west street, or with the union to the east, if placed in a north and south street.
When displayed with another flag cross-staff, place the American flag above the other on the flag's own right, which is the observer's left. If the flags of two or or more nations are displayed at the same time, they should be flown from separate staffs of the same height, and the flags should be equal in size. If you're also flying the flag of states, cities, or localities at the same halyard with the American flag, the American flag should always be at the peak. No other flag should be placed above or to the right of the United State flag.
The custom is to display the flag from sunrise to sunset, but if you'd like to keep your flag up 24 hours a day, then just make sure it is "properly illuminated during the hours of darkness," per the flag code. Etiquette also dictates that the flag should not be displayed n inclement weather, except when you have an all-weather flag.
As you prepare to display your flag, keep in mind that it should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously. The flag code also dictates that your American flag can be showcased everyday, but particularly on holidays and special occasions, including New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and any other day proclaimed by the President. It should also be displayed on state holidays.
There Are Rules Dictating When Your Flag Should Be Flown at Half-Staff.
The term half-staff specifically means one-half the distance between the top and the bottom of the staff, and when flying your flag at half-staff, you should first hoist the flag to the peak of the staff, then lowered to the half-staff position.
There special occasions throughout the year when your American flag should be flown at half-staff. On Memorial Day, the flag code dictates that your flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon-after that time, the flag should be raised to the top of the staff, according to a 2008 Congressional report. The flag should also be flown at half-staff by order of the President after the death of a public political figure in their memory.
After the death of a President of former President, flags should be flown at half-staff for thirty days. When George W. Bush died in December 2018, Trump put this half-staff protocol into action "as an expression of public sorrow," according to the New York Times.
In the wake of the death of the Vice-President, Chief Justice or retired Chief Justice, or Speaker of the House of Representatives, the flag should be flown at half-staff for ten days. In the past, Presidents have also directed that flags be flown at half-staff after the death of leading citizens as a tribute to their lives. Just last year, Trump directed the flags be flown at half-staff when Reverend Billy Graham died.
There's a Proper Way to Fold Your American Flag.
Considering the guidelines that dictate how you handle the flag on a daily basis, it's no surprise that there's a proper way to fold your flag-and it should actually be folded into a triangle. Watch the video below for a step-by-step guide:
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