United States Flag - Etiquett - www.PoetPatriot.com

The American Flag Old Glory - Ensign - Colours - Red, White, and Blue - Colors - Banner - Emblem Stars and Stripes - Star Spangled Banner - Standard - National emblem - Pennant National Ensign The United States Flag
The Flag of the "Land of the Free, Because of the Brave"
Respecting	Flag Etiquette		POW/MIA flag
Holidays	Folding the Flag	Half-Staff / Mast	Maintenance
Saluting the flag	Flagpoles	With	Buildings
Outside	Parades	Caskets	Automobiles
Boats	Clothing/Drapery	Flag Patches	Multiple Flags
	Decorated Accessories

The American Flag should always be treated with the utmost respect. The American flag is never "dipped", not even in showing respect to any person or thing. Other flags of the military or other Governmental levels may dip to show honor. Though other nation's flag may dip, the American Flag does not.

The American Flag should not be altered in anyway for a demonstration of support or opposition. The burning, soiling, marking, slashing or other intentional misuse constitutes disrespect, not only for the American flag but for America, her founding fathers, veterans, and the American citizenry.

The flag should always be allowed to flow freely when being carried unless properly folded when carried to its storage location. It should never be allowed to touch the ground or other objects as it freely flies. When raising the flag it should be done briskly and then cautiously when lowering.

The union of the American Flag should always be displayed at top except as a distress call in an extreme emergency where life or property is at immediate risk or when ordered to be placed at half-staff.

The U.S. flag should be raised at sunrise and lowered at sunset. The American flag is always to be raised first and lowered last. Display at night of the American Banner should be illuminated by a light aimed to shine upon the flag.

The flag should be displayed daily, on or near the main administration building of every public institution. The flag should be displayed during school days in or near every schoolhouse. The flag should be displayed in or near every polling place on election days.

No other flag or pennant shall be flown above the U.S. Flag. If on the same level no other flag or pennant shall be placed to the right of the American Flag.

The American Flag should not be used for advertising purposes, nor should any advertising signs be placed on the Flag's lanyard or pole. Nothing is to be attached to the flag for any reason. See more on Clothing/Drapery. The flag is not to be used as a covering of ceiling, walls or other, simply for decorative purposes.

At a ceremony for unveiling a statue or monument the U.S. Flag should hold a prominent position but placed in accordance with the established rules; it is never to be used as the covering.

The American Flag should not be carried flat or horizontally but allowed to freely fly; only when carried for storage having been properly folded.

Some will choose to only display the flag on actual holidays. The National Holidays that the flag should be displayed are New Year's Day, Inauguration Day, Lincoln and Washington's Birthdays, President's Day, Easter Sunday, Mother's Day, Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Constitution Day, Columbus Day, Navy Day, Veteran's Day, also at Thanksgiving and Christmas. The President of the United States may proclaim that the flag be displayed on other days that are proclaimed for the recognition of an honor. In each State the American Flag should be flown on the State's date of admission and on that State's holidays.

First I must make the clarification between the "half-mast" and the "half-staff." I untill 2007 had referred to the lowering of the flag as "half-mast" as do many American citizens. I was informed by J. Kleinsmith, SFC, U.S. Army Retired of my error. When I stopped to think, "mast," of course a mast is on a ship! Yet it has become popular among our society to call the lowering, "half-mast." I've even heard the media use the wrong term.
"Half-staff" is on the land when the flag is flown on a "staff." "Half-mast" is of course when the flag is flown upon a mast of a ship. The rules to lowering the flag apply to both staff and mast.

Half-staff is a sign of mourning. When a person of national prominence passes-away the flag is placed at half-staff. The Flag is raised to the top, held for a moment, then lowered to the half-staff position. When lowering the Flag from the half-staff position raise it to the top, hold for a moment, then lower in accordance to proper procedure. The half-staff position is to be rendered on each Memorial Day and is held only until noon, then raised to the top of the staff until sunset.

It is preferred that other ensigns are removed when flying the American flag at half-staff. If other flags are to be flown they likewise are lowed and positioned below the American Flag.

When a President or past President passes away the flag is to be set at half-staff for a period of one month from the date of his passing. The term is ten days from the death of a Vice President, a retired or current Chief Justice of the United States or the Speaker of the House. In the passing of an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, a Secretary of an executive or military department, a former Vice President, or: the Governor of a State, territory or possession the Flag is flown at half-staff from the date of passing until the day of internment. In the event of the passing of a Member of Congress the flag is flown half-staff the day of passing and the day after.

The passing of other dignitaries when ordered by the President of the United States; a Governor of a state or territory; County Executive; or Mayor of a municipality may require the flag to be placed at half-staff as specified for no more than one week from the date of death.

The Governor of a state may declare a Half-staff position of the National Flag within his state for the passing of a dignitary of that State. Cities may lower their flags when ordered by the Mayor for the passing of that city's dignitaries. Half-staff positions should only be ordered by Federal, State, and City governments.

The American Flag should not be placed at half-staff at the whim of any private person, organization or corporation. Personal, organizational and Corporate flags may be placed at half-staff while the U.S. Flag remains flying high at the top of the pole or staff.

The American Flag is not lowered to half-staff for foreign subjects unless specifically ordered by the President of the United States. One such example is when President G. W. Bush ordered the half-staff for the passing of the pope in 2005. The pope holds much esteem to a substantial segment of the American citizenry.

When lowering the flag it should be handled by hands and not allowed to touch the ground or other object. It is then to be folded in the triangular formation prior to storage.

Not letting the Flag drape low, touching the ground, hold our nation's flag out flat. Fold first lengthwise in half bringing the closest corners together. Then fold in half again. Beginning at the opposite end from the union, turn the corner over to begin a triangle. Fold again following the new edge turned over. Following suit with a turn forward followed by a turn to the left or right. Once to the end the remainder is then tucked in to form a triangle; a reminder of those who wore the cocked hat in an offence against tyranny; victorious in gaining the liberty we enjoy today.

The U.S. Flag should never be attached, displayed or stored in a manner that would easily cause it to be torn, soiled or otherwise damaged. It should not be allowed to contact with other objects but allowed to fly free. The American Flag should be lowered during inclement weather to avoid undue wear; there are some flags designed to withstand such weather. Should the flag become soiled or otherwise touch American soil simply launder as you would for any prized outfit made of the same material. Tears and frays should be mended or the flag disposed of as described below.

Should a U.S. flag become tattered from use or become badly soiled it should be disposed of in a dignified manner. The preference is by burning in a ceremonious manner. Your local VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) chapter is able and willing to help in this matter.

Do not allow the flag to touch foreign soil. Should contact with foreign soil occur the flag should be disposed of in the same manner as that of a worn out ensign.

The flag should be saluted when reciting the "Pledge of Allegiance", when the flag is presented and placed, when the flag is retired, as the U.S. flag passes in a parade or procession, and when the National Anthem is played.

In a parade the flag should be saluted when it has approached to within six paces and the salute relieved when the banner is six paces beyond. The flag should be saluted as the float passes by.

At the playing of a rendition of the National Anthem the flag is to be saluted upon the first note and held until the last note has been played. All should stand during the performance of the National Anthem. All should face the American Flag when one is present. When one is not present all should face the source of the music and salute as though a flag was present.

All in attendance of the presenting or the retirement of a flag or as a flag is paraded past should rise to stand while saluting the flag.

Civilians salute the flag by placing their right hand with palm open and fingers together over their heart.

When dressed in civilian attire men wearing hats should remove them and hold the hat over their left shoulder with their hand over their heart. Women do not remove their headwear but salute with their right hand over their heart.

When the hat is a part of a military uniform or that of patriotic organizations it is not removed but the appropriate military salute is made. The Boy Scouts of America and other such Patriotic organizations may have their own salute and do not remove the hat of their uniform.

The United States flag should always be flown above any other flags that are flown with it on the same pole. Displaying of the flag when there are two or more poles, place our Ensign on the pole to the flag's right. This would be your left as you view the poles.

The U.S. flag should never be flown upside down except to show distress in time of danger to life, limb or property. The U.S. flag should never be burned as a statement of displeasure. It is only to be burned when torn and tattered, then only in a respectfully ceremonious manner.

When flown with another nation's flag or flags of other nations each are to be on separate staffs. Each including the American Flag are to be flown at the same height. The American Flag is to be on its own right. International law prevents the placement of one nation's flag over another in times of peace.

On a pole or staff when other flags are flown, the American Flag is always flown at the top. In a panoply, an arrangement of flags in the same mount, the U.S. ensign should be at the center and highest point. When displaying with crossed staffs the U.S. Flag should be to its own right and its staff in front of the other. When a number of other, than foreign nation, flags are flown from staffs the U.S. Flag is to be flown higher and in the center of the flags.

When draping the flag vertically or horizontally against the side of a building or in a window the union is to be placed to the left to those viewing the ensign. When raising a flag by rope on a vertical or staff angled away from a building the union is to be raised first.

When placed behind the speaker the U.S. flag should be placed flat and above. The bottom of the ensign should not touch other objects or the floor. When on staffs that are placed behind or beside the speaker The American flag should be positioned to the speaker's right.

In Halls or other meeting rooms when on staffs the U.S. flag should be placed to its right, which is to the left as the audience would view it. In the lobby of a building the U.S. flag should be across from the main entrance with the Union to the left of those entering through the door. At the end of a hallway the flag should be displayed with the union to the left of those entering the hall.

For rallies or other gatherings outdoors when the flag is placed behind the speaker it should be placed flat. Its bottom should not touch other objects or the ground. Other placements should follow the various other rules spelled out on this page. When draping the American flag across a street it should be hung vertically with the union to the east on north-south streets and to the North on east-west streets.

When marching in a procession or parade the flag should be on the right. If there are many other flags the American flag should be positioned center front.

When carrying the flag hold it slightly angled from your body. It can also be carried with one hand resting it on your right shoulder. A design of a flag carrier may require a slightly different placement but the flag should always be angled out away from the body.

On a float in a parade the flag should only be displayed on a staff or flat against the wall with the union to the left as viewers view the flag.

Casket Placement

When the flag is placed over a casket the union is to be placed so that it is at the head and over the left shoulder of the deceased. The flag is not to touch the ground or any other object and is not to be lowered into the grave. It is to be removed ceremoniously and folded in accordance with proper flag folding procedures.

On automobiles the U.S. flag should be flown on the antenna, a flagstaff firmly secured to the chassis, attached to the right fender or attached to the right window. In side the vehicle at the front windshield it should be placed in the center on the dash, displayed on a short staff. In the rear window the flag should again be on a staff and be placed to its right as viewed from the rear of the vehicle. Nothing including our national ensign should be placed so that it impedes the visibility of the driver in his driving safely and defensively.

The Flag is not to be draped over any automobile, train, boat or other vehicle.

Flag sticker placement should be on the rear of the automobile to the lower left as facing the vehicle, preferable on the bumper. Avoid having any other stickers (bumper stickers) near or above the Flag sticker.

U.S. yachts when at anchor should fly the US Ensign from the stern staff, if so equipped, only while occupied.

Gaff-rigged sailboats should fly the ensign from the peak of the aftermost gaff.

The Ensign is flown from the stern staff of powerboats underway on inland waters.

Sailboats with the modern high-aspect-ratio rig should fly the U.S. Ensign on the stern staff while under way; under power alone, or at anchor or made fast and not while the ship is racing.

On a sports fisherman, the ensign should be flown form a halyard rigged just behind the tuna tower, when a stern staff would interfere with the action.

The American flag should not be taken and made into or used as clothing or drapery. The flag should not be attached to clothing except as a patch to be worn on the shoulder nor should anything be attached to the flag.

The American flag should not be embroidered upon; printed upon; or otherwise have placed upon it, any items for any reason. The image of the flag should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise placed upon items that are intended to be discarded after temporary use. (These days the previous is often violated, such as when the flag is printed on napkins. Such use is temporary and rarely allows for the respectful discard of the flag's image.)

The stitching, screen printing, or other media that places a design that includes the "image" of a flag does not constitute the attachment of a flag onto clothing. The "image" of the American flag when used as a part of a design shall be done so in a respectful manner, and may have other, respectful images placed ahead leaving the flag behind the other image.

The U.S. Flag should not be used as a cover for desk, podium, or any object except for the casket of one who has served our country. A flag is not to be used as a decoration; bunting; or any other purpose other than specified by established flag etiquette. There are other designs of Red, White and Blue for the purpose of decoration or covering. When using bunting the Blue stripe should be at the top. You might want to follow that last requirement when placing ribbon and other such decorator items that have a blue stripe.

The American flag should not be used as a means to carry or otherwise wrap other objects.

U.S. Flag patches are to be sewn on the shoulder of the garment. When on the right shoulder the patch should show the reverse side of the flag. As one moves forward the flag trails as it would when carrying the flag on a staff.

When two or more U.S. Flags are displayed together as across from one another, on crossed staffs, on multiple staffs or poles, or displayed in windows, there should be no other flag flown with them, other than below when on a pole or staff. The most prominent of the American flags should comply with the other established rules. When flown with any other ensigns on same or separate mounts, only one U.S. flag is to be displayed and then in accordance with proper flag etiquette.

The POW/MIA flag when flown on one pole is to be directly below the National Ensign and above any state flag.
When two poles are to be used the POW/MIA flag is to be flown on the same pole as, and under, the National Ensign. State flags are to be on the pole to the left of the National flag. (Your right when facing the American flag.)
If using three poles the American Flag is to be in the place of prominence (Its own right), then immediately to the left of the U.S. Flag the POW/MIA flag is to be flown and the state flag to the left of the POW/MIA flag.

Accessories such as bags to hold folding chairs or other items that are decorated with or closely resemble the American flag should be treated with respect, keeping off the ground or kept stored out of site so as to minimize the appearance of a mishandled flag.