Many of our readers ask about american flag etiquette and the u. This document establishes policy and provides procedural guidance on flying the flag of the united states of america flag and other flags and pennants for general services administration gsa facility management personnel and federal agencies operating gsa delegated buildings. Oct 05, 2007 an angered veteran in reno, nv cuts down an american flag being flown below the mexican flag. The following codification of existing rules and customs pertaining to the display and use of the flag of the united states of america is established for the. 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.
The united states code is the official, subject matter order, compilation of the federal laws of a general and permanent nature that are currently in force. The flag remained as a precious heirloom in the driver family until 1922. Although the code is violated in many different ways each day, what matters most is the intent behind the use of the flag. At the united states flag store, you will find more than just an amazing selection of flags, flagpoles and accessories. The flag of the united states will be flown at halfstaff whether or not the flag of another. It was then sent to the smithsonian institution in washington d. This guide will help you find the information you need to ensure you are flying the flag proudly and properly. Bunting of blue, white, and red, always arranged with the blue above, the white in the middle, and the red below, should be used for covering a speakers desk, draping the front of.
When the us flag is at halfstaff, do other foreign flags fly at fullstaff. When displayed from a staff projecting from a building, the union should be at the peak of the staff. How to honor and display the american flag when displaying the flag, it is important to remember to use the guidelines laid out by the u. But pair it with the american flag, and a few different rules must take effect.
Guidelines for display of the flag united states department. Federal law relating to display and associated questions. The flag code taken from united states code title 36, chapter 10 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. To show respect, be sure to follow flag etiquette and properly hang the american flag. These periods of mourning are proclaimed either by the president of the united states, for national. It is to fly 10 days at halfstaff after the death of the vice president, the chief justice or a retired chief justice of the. Who designed the original stars and stripes flag of the united states is a point never definitely confirmed. American flag etiquette rules on displaying, folding. Rules for displaying the united states flag were established by public law 829 of the 77th. Sep 11, 2001 flag etiquette american flag etiquette flag etiquette the flag of the united states of america nothing evokes such strong emotion as seeing the flag, either a ceremony honoring a great event or draped over a coffin as a sign of mourning for a hero or loved one. When the flags are flown from adjacent staffs, the american flag should be jousted first and lowered last. Top 10 rules for flying the american flag accent banner.
The united states flag code specifies the acceptable practices for flying the american flag. The flag of the united states of america is a symbol of freedom and liberty to which americans pledge their allegiance. Investigation of an american icon is a documentary photo essay, investigating the principle identity, misuse, commodification and desecration of the american flag in the context of the u. The united states flag code addresses all of the ins and outs of displaying, caring and disposing the american flag. Federal law relating to display and associated questions congressional research service 3 c the flag should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement, except when an allweather flag is displayed. The salute is held until the flag is unsnapped from the halyard or through the last note of music, whichever is the longest. United states department of defense directive 1005 united states department of defense directive 48 united states department of defense instruction 48. Standing at attention and facing the flag with their right hand over the heart, they recite. No such flag or pennant may be placed above the us flag, or to the right of the us flag 3. Jan 06, 2017 rules of thumb to follow when flying and displaying multiple flags american flag, state flag andor company flags together in different situations. The specific etiquette for flying the american flag with other flags. Etiquette for flying multiple flags with the amercan flag.
We are flying the us flag, our state flag, and our company flag on side. In a procession, the american flag should be to the right the flag s own right of any other flag or, if in a line of other flags, in front of the center of that line. The language of the federal code makes clear that the flag is a living symbol. Displaying the us flag with other flags on multiple poles duration. United states flag code full text of united states code, title 4, chapter 1, available at cornell university law school. United states flag etiquette indiana rolling thunder, inc. The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing.
Federal law relating to display and associated questions congressional research service 1 background public concern and confusion regarding the proper respect shown to the united states flag has given rise to many questions on the law relating to the flags handling, display, and use. When on display, the flag is accorded the place of honor, always positioned to its own right. The american flag code is a guideline for proper flag etiquette. Public law 94344, known as the federal flag code, contains rules for. Rules on flying the american flag by ethan trex, show your national pride on memorial day by displaying the flag but be sure to consult the flag code before you do. Two veterans from babylon post 94 talk about their efforts to collect and dispose of flags that are no longer up to military standards. It should not be flown lower than another flag nor should it be smaller than another flag flown in the same display. Rules for flying the american flag fall under several categories. If a flag cannot be properly displayed in relation to the previous rule, then that flag. Rules of flying an american flag at half mast synonym. Other flags, such as city or university, fly in the lowest position. C chapter 401, 40118 governmentfinanced air transportation.
The flag is typically flown from sunrise to sundown. This guide provides a brief summary of the new rules over flag flying that were introduced on 12 october 2012. The flag should fly at halfstaff for 30 days at all federal buildings, grounds, and naval vessels throughout the united states and its territories and possessions after the death of the president or a former president. General information flying the flag guides at texas state. Jun 30, 2003 by federal law, texas is the only state in the u.
When placed on a podium the flag should be placed on the speakers right or the staging area. Flag manual the starspangled banner the national anthem of the united states by act of congress, march 3, 1931 oh, say, can you see, by the dawns early light, whose broad stripes and bright. When the flag is displayed over the middle of the street, it should be suspended vertically with the union blue field of stars to the north in an east and west street or to the east in a north and south street. The flag of the united states there are certain rules that pertain to flying the united states flag. Any rule or custom pertaining to the display of the flag of the united states of america, set forth herein, may be altered, modified, or repealed, or additional rules with respect thereto may be prescribed, by the commander in chief of the armed forces of the united states, whenever he deems it to be appropriate or desirable. How to properly display the american flag event resources. Apr 15, 2020 flags of our state and nation are flying all around us.
Flag code, signed in march 1954 by president dwight eisenhower, provides guidelines for the process and duration. While the federal code contains no penalties for misusing the flag, states have their own flag codes and may impose penalties. Flag code 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. When flown at halfstaff, the flag should be first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to halfstaff position. Guidelines for display of the flag public law 94344, known as the federal flag code, contains rules for handling and displaying the u. Although it does not carry the force of law, the u. There are very specific rules guiding the proper american flag etiquette. You will also discover a wealth of information about flags, including when and how to fly the flag. When the american flag is flown with flags of other nations, the flags should. Commuter and on demand operations and rules governing persons on board such aircraft. Flag etiquette rules and regulations us flag supply. An easy way to remember when to fly the united states flag at halfstaff is to consider when the whole nation is in mourning. International protocol prohibits the flying of any nations flag higher than another in peacetime apart from medal ceremonies during sporting events. No such flag or pennant may be placed above the flag of the united states or to the right of the united states flag.
It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free. A flag should first be folded in half twice, widthwise, then folded into triangles, starting on the striped end. On a stage, the american flag should be placed to the. It is applicable to all travel funded by united states federal government funds and requires the use of u. The flag of the united states should be at the center and at the highest point when grouped together. When displayed or carried in a procession with other flags, the flag should be positioned to its own right. Here is a list of rules and guidelines for displaying the american flag and treating it with proper respect. The following codification of existing rules and customs pertaining to the display and use of the flag of the united states of america is established for the use of such civilians or civilian groups or organizations as may not be required to conform with regulations promulgated by one or more executive departments of the government of the. May 30, 2011 on memorial day, we thought it might be a good time to take a look at some of the rules for respectfully displaying the american flag, as dictated by the united states flag code. Flag etiquette and rules how to display flags american. The flag of the united states of america is saluted as it is hoisted and lowered. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the united states of america. Ever wonder how to properly care for a united states flag. You fly the stars and stripes at 20 feet in maryland.
981 185 368 1105 1250 325 1190 470 1431 43 524 475 1461 1191 775 415 1061 53 33 396 1399 544 850 927 830 60 647 686 842 808 289 1202 34 569 650 445 1314 760