|
| |
FLAG ETTIQUETTE
as copied from the Annin & Co. brochure that accompanies most
new commercially sold flags
as per the July 7, 1976 amendment (Public Law 94-344, 94th
Congress, S.J. Res. 49)
to the Flag Code (Title 4, U.S. Code Chapter 1, June 22, 1942)
as included below.
The flag code was adopted by the National Flag
Conference, Washington, D.C., June 14-15, 1923, and Revised and Endorsed by the
Second National Flag Conference, Washington, D.C., May 15, 1924. Revised and
adopted at P.L. 623, 77th Congress, Second Session, June 22, 1942; as Amended by
P.L. 829, 77th Congress, Second Session, December 22, 1942; P.L. 107 83rd
Congress, 1st Session, July 9, 1953; P.L. 396, 83rd Congress, Second Session,
June 14, 1954; P.L. 363, 90th Congress, Second Session, June 28, 1968; P.L. 344,
94th Congress, Second Session, July 7, 1976; P.L. 322, 103rd Congress, Second
Session, September 13, 1994; P.L. 225, 105th Congress, Second Session, August
12, 1998; and P.L. 80, 106th Congress, First Session, October 25, 1999.
The " Flag Code "
All the states, at one time or another, have enacted
laws relating to the United States Flag. Whereas the Federal Flag Code does not
provide penalties for certain conduct or may not govern certain practices, state
laws often do. At the national level, the Federal Flag Code (Title 36, U.S.
Code, paragraph 170-178) provides uniform guidelines for the display of, and
respect shown to, Our Flag, and conduct during playing of the National Anthem
and the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. The Code is designed 'for the use of
such civilian groups of organizations as may not be required to conform with
regulations promulgated by one or more executive departments' of the federal
government, such as the armed forces. The Flag Code
does not prescribe any penalties for non-compliance
nor does it include enforcement provisions. Rather, it functions as a guide to
be voluntarily
followed by civilians and civilian groups.
While the Code empowers the President of the United States to
alter, modify, repeal or prescribe additional rules regarding the Flag, no
federal agency has the authority to issue 'official' rulings legally binding on
civilians or civilian groups. Consequently, different interpretations of various
provisions of the Code may continue to be made. The Flag Code may be fairly
tested: 'No disrespect should be shown to the Flag of the United States of
America.' Therefore, actions not specifically included in the Code may be deemed
acceptable as long as proper respect is shown.
It is the general custom to display the flag only from
sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flag staffs in the open.
However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed
twenty-four hours a day, if properly illuminated during the hours of
darkness. (The code is not specific here, but "properly lighted" has come to be
interpreted as from below, the side or above.
The flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered
ceremoniously. The flag should not be displayed on days when the weather is
inclement, except when an all-weather flag is displayed. The flag should be
displayed daily, on or near the main administration building of every public
institution...in or near every polling place on election days...during school
days in or near every schoolhouse. No other flag or pennant should be placed
above or, if on the same level, to the right of the flag of the U.S., except
during church services conducted by naval chaplains at sea...for personnel of
the Navy...when the church pennant may be flown above the flag.
No person shall display the flag of the United
Nations or any other national or international flag equal, above, or in a
position of superior prominence or honor to, or in place of, the flag of the
United States at any place within the U.S. or any Territory or possession
thereof: Provided that
nothing in this section shall make unlawful the continuance of the practice
heretofore followed of displaying the flag of the United Nations in a position
of superior prominence or honor, and other national flags in positions of equal
prominence or honor, with that of the flag of the U.S. at the headquarters of
the U.N.
The flag of the USA, when it is displayed with another flag
against a wall from crossed staffs, should be on the right, the flag's own
right, and its staff should be in front of the staff of the other flag. The flag
of the USA should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a
number of flags of States or localities or pennants of societies are grouped and
displayed from staffs. When flags of States, cities or localities, or pennants
of societies are flown on the same halyard with the flag of the U.S., the latter
should always be at the peak. When the flags are flown from adjacent staffs, the
flag of the U.S. should be hoisted first and lowered last. No such flag or
pennant may be placed above the flag of the U.S. or to the United State's flag's
right.
When flags of two or more nations are displayed, they are to
be flown from separate staffs of the same height. The flags should be of
approximately equal size. International usage forbids the display of the flag of
one nation above that of another nation in time of peace. When the flag of the
U.S. is displayed from a staff projecting horizontally or at an angle from the
window sill, balcony, or front of a building, the union (blue field with stars)
of the flag should be placed at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at
half-staff. When the flag is suspended over a sidewalk from a rope extending
from a house to a pole at the edge of the sidewalk, the flag should be hoisted
out, union first, from the building. When displayed either horizontally or
vertically against a wall, the union should be uppermost and to the flag's own
right, that is, to the observer's left. When displayed in a window, the flag
should be displayed in the same way, with the union to the left of the observer
in the street. When the flag is displayed over the middle of a street, it should
be suspended vertically with the union to the North in an East and West street
or to the East in a North and South street. The flag should never be displayed
with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme
danger to life or property.
The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such
as the ground, the floor, water or merchandise. It should never be
fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit it to be
easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way. It should never be used as a
covering for a ceiling. It should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of
it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design,
picture, or drawing of any nature. It should never be used as a receptacle for
receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
Parades and Ceremonies
The flag, when carried in a procession or with another
flag or flags, should be either on the marching right; that is, the flag's own
right, or, if there is a line of others flags, in front of the center of that
line. The flag should not be displayed on a float in a parade except from
a staff (or as against a wall or in a window). It should form a distinctive
feature of the ceremony of unveiling a statue or monument. But it should never
be used as the covering for the statue or monument.
That no disrespect should be shown to the flag of the USA, the
flag should not be dipped to any person or thing. Regimental colors,
State flags, and organization or institutional flags are to be dipped as a mark
of honor. The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always
aloft and free.
During the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the flag or when
the flag is passing in a parade or in review, all persons present except those
in uniform should face the flag and stand at attention with the right hand over
the heart. Those present in uniform should render the military salute (or under
cover, such as American Legion or VFW members with their caps on), or, when not
in uniform, men should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it
at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Aliens should stand at
attention. The salute to the flag in a moving column should be rendered at the
moment the flag passes.
Folding the Flag
To fold the flag ceremoniously, first fold it lengthwise,
bringing the striped half up over the blue field. Then repeat, with the blue
field on the outside. Beginning at the lower right, make a series of triangular
folds until the flag remembers a cocked hat with only the blue field visible.
Vehicles
The flag should not be draped over the hood, top, sides, or
back of a vehicle or of a railroad train or boat. When the flag is displayed on
a motorcar, the staff shall be fixed firmly to the chassis or clamped to the
right fender.
Corridors and lobbies
When the flag is suspended across a corridor or lobby in a
building with only one main entrance, it should be suspended vertically with the
union of the flag to the observer's left upon entering. If the building has more
than one main entrance, the flag should be suspended vertically near the center
of the corridor or lobby with the union to the North when entrances are to the
East or West, or to the East when entrances are to the North or South. If there
are entrances in more than two directions, the union should be to the East.
Rendering respects:
During the rendering of the National Anthem when the
flag is displayed and during the Pledge of Allegiance, all present except
those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand
over the heart. Men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their
right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart.
Persons in uniform should render the military salute at the first note of the
anthem and retain this position until the last note. When the flag is not
displayed, those present should face toward the music and act in the same manner
as if the flag were displayed there.
Half-Staff presentation:
The flag should be first hoisted to the peak for an instant
and then lowered to the half-staff position. The flag should be again raised to
the peak before it is lowered for the day. On Memorial Day, the flag should be
displayed at half-staff until noon only, then raised to the top of the staff. By
order of the President, the flag shall be flown at half-staff upon the death of
principal figures of the U.S. Government and the Governor of a State, territory,
or possession, as a mark of respect to their memory. In the event of the death
of other officials or foreign dignitaries, the flag is to be displayed at
half-staff according to Presidential instructions or orders, or in accordance
with recognized customs or practices not inconsistent with law. In the event of
the death of a present or former official of the government of any State,
territory or possession of the U.S., the Governor of that entity may proclaim
that the National flag may be flown at half-staff.
As wearing apparel, drapery, advertising, etc.
The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or
drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always
allowed to fall free. 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 speaker's desk, draping the front of a platform, and for decoration
in general. No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic
uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military
personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag
represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore,
the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn of the left lapel near the
heart. The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner
whatsoever. It should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions or
handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or
boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard. Advertising
signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown.
Disposal & Holidays
The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a
fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably
by burning. ( The local American Legion Post 43 [ Jackson, WY ] regularly
conducts ceremonies to dispose of torn, worn, soiled, etc. flags and the public
is invited to bring them to those ceremonies or to provide them to the Post for
disposal. Usually the one particular ceremony being on June 14th, Flag Day. )
Flag holidays are: New Year's Day, January 1st
Inauguration Day, Jan. 20th
Washington's Birthday, third Monday in February
Easter Sunday, date varies
Mother's Day, second Sunday in May
Armed Forces Day, third Saturday in May
Memorial Day, (half-staff until noon), the last Monday in May
***Flag Day, June 14th
Independence Day, July 4th
Labor Day, first Monday in September
Constitution Day, Sept. 17th
Columbus Day, second Monday in Oct.
Navy Day, Oct. 27
Veterans Day, Nov. 11th
Thanksgiving Day, 4th Thursday in Nov.
Christmas Day, Dec. 25th
AND, other days as may be proclaimed by the President of the United States; the
birthdays of States, and on State holidays.
Other Good to Know Info not specifically in the
Code
1. A flag that has adorned a casket, can
be used for other proper displays.
2. Any genuine American flag, even with less that 50 stars, is a valid flag
to be displayed.
3. The flag code is a guideline & does not contain penalties for improper
display or usage, except as noted in Section 3 i
the District of Columbia.
4. A flag does not have to be destroyed if it touches the ground, and dry
cleaning or simple washing are acceptable.
5. Fringe on a flag is acceptable.
6. By contacting your Congressman or Senator, you can acquire a flag that has
been flown over the nation's capitol in
Washington, D.C. for a nominal fee.
The December 2006 issue of
American Legion Magazine suggests the following
protocols for flying the flag from a motorcycle
per their National Americanism Commission.
Common-sense and reasonable suggestions, consistent with the code.
1. If the U.S. Flag is flown alone, it must be
displayed at the center, or at the rider's right side.
2. Any other flags - other countries, POW flags, service branch,
etc. - should be displayed to the rider's left. Those flags can be the
same size as the U.S. flag or smaller.
3. For safety, it is recommended that any and all flags be flown
from the back of a motorcycle.
OTHER, the formal rules per
the Code:
Sec. 1. - Flag; stripes and stars
on
The flag of the United States shall be
thirteen horizontal stripes, alternate red and white; and the union of the flag
shall be forty-eight stars, white in a blue field
Sec.
2. - Same; additional stars
On the admission of a new State into
the Union one star shall be added to the union of the flag; and such addition
shall take effect on the fourth day of July then next succeeding such admission
Flag
Code, Sec. 3. - Use of flag for advertising purposes; mutilation
of flag
Any person who, within the District of
Columbia, in any manner, for exhibition or display, shall place or cause to be
placed any word, figure, mark, picture, design, drawing, or any advertisement of
any nature upon any flag, standard, colors, or ensign of the United States of
America; or shall expose or cause to be exposed to public view any such flag,
standard, colors, or ensign upon which shall have been printed, painted, or
otherwise placed, or to which shall be attached, appended, affixed, or annexed
any word, figure, mark, picture, design, or drawing, or any advertisement of any
nature; or who, within the District of Columbia, shall manufacture, sell, expose
for sale, or to public view, or give away or have in possession for sale, or to
be given away or for use for any purpose, any article or substance being an
article of merchandise, or a receptacle for merchandise or article or thing for
carrying or transporting merchandise, upon which shall have been printed,
painted, attached, or otherwise placed a representation of any such flag,
standard, colors, or ensign, to advertise, call attention to, decorate, mark, or
distinguish the article or substance on which so placed shall be deemed guilty
of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $100 or by
imprisonment for not more than thirty days, or both, in the discretion of the
court. The words ''flag, standard, colors, or ensign'', as used herein, shall
include any flag, standard, colors, ensign, or any picture or representation of
either, or of any part or parts of either, made of any substance or represented
on any substance, of any size evidently purporting to be either of said flag,
standard, colors, or ensign of the United States of America or a picture or a
representation of either, upon which shall be shown the colors, the stars and
the stripes, in any number of either thereof, or of any part or parts of either,
by which the average person seeing the same without deliberation may believe the
same to represent the flag, colors, standard, or ensign of the United States of
America
Sec. 4. - Pledge of allegiance
to the flag; manner of delivery
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, ''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.'',
should be rendered by standing at attention facing the flag with the right hand
over the heart. When not in uniform men should remove their headdress with their
right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart.
Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military
salute
Sec. 6. - Time and occasions for
display
(a) It is the universal custom to display the flag only from
sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open.
However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed 24 hours
a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.
(b) The flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.
(c) The flag should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement,
except when an all weather flag is displayed.
(d) The flag should be displayed on all days, especially on New Year's Day,
January 1; Inauguration Day, January 20; Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday,
third Monday in January; Lincoln's Birthday, February 12; Washington's Birthday,
third Monday in February; Easter Sunday (variable); Mother's Day, second Sunday
in May; Armed Forces Day, third Saturday in May; Memorial Day (half-staff until
noon), the last Monday in May; Flag Day, June 14; Independence Day, July 4;
Labor Day, first Monday in September; Constitution Day, September 17; Columbus
Day, second Monday in October; Navy Day, October 27; Veterans Day, November 11;
Thanksgiving Day, fourth Thursday in November; Christmas Day, December 25; and
such other days as may be proclaimed by the President of the United States; the
birthdays of States (date of admission); and on State holidays.
(e) The flag should be displayed daily on or near the main administration
building of every public institution.
(f) The flag should be displayed in or near every polling place on election
days.
(g) The flag should be displayed during school days in or near every schoolhouse
Sec. 7. - Position and
manner of display
The flag, when carried in a procession with another flag or
flags, should be either on the marching right; that is, the flag's own right,
or, if there is a line of other flags, in front of the center of that line.
(a) The flag should not be displayed on a float in a parade except from a staff,
or as provided in subsection (i) of this section.
(b) The flag should not be draped over the hood, top, sides, or back of a
vehicle or of a railroad train or a boat. When the flag is displayed on a
motorcar, the staff shall be fixed firmly to the chassis or clamped to the right
fender.
(c) No other flag or pennant should be placed above or, if on the same level, to
the right of the flag of the United States of America, except during church
services conducted by naval chaplains at sea, when the church pennant may be
flown above the flag during church services for the personnel of the Navy. No
person shall display the flag of the United Nations or any other national or
international flag equal, above, or in a position of superior prominence or
honor to, or in place of, the flag of the United States at any place within the
United States or any Territory or possession thereof: Provided, That nothing in
this section shall make unlawful the continuance of the practice heretofore
followed of displaying the flag of the United Nations in a position of superior
prominence or honor, and other national flags in positions of equal prominence
or honor, with that of the flag of the United States at the headquarters of the
United Nations.
(d) The flag of the United States of America, when it is displayed with another
flag against a wall from crossed staffs, should be on the right, the flag's own
right, and its staff should be in front of the staff of the other flag.
(e) 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 or localities or
pennants of societies are grouped and displayed from staffs.
(f) When flags of States, cities, or localities, or pennants of societies are
flown on the same halyard with the flag of the United States, the latter should
always be at the peak. When the flags are flown from adjacent staffs, the flag
of the United States should be hoisted first and lowered last. No such flag or
pennant may be placed above the flag of the United States or to the United
States flag's right.
(g) When flags of two or more nations are displayed, they are to be flown from
separate staffs of the same height. The flags should be of approximately equal
size. International usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above
that of another nation in time of peace.
(h) When the flag of the United States is displayed from a staff projecting
horizontally or at an angle from the window sill, balcony, or front of a
building, the union of the flag should be placed at the peak of the staff unless
the flag is at half-staff. When the flag is suspended over a sidewalk from a
rope extending from a house to a pole at the edge of the sidewalk, the flag
should be hoisted out, union first, from the building.
(i) When displayed either horizontally or vertically
against a wall, the union should be uppermost and to the flag's own right, that
is, to the observer's left. When displayed in a window, the flag should be
displayed in the same way, with the union or blue field to the left of the
observer in the street.
(j) When the flag is displayed over the middle of the street, it should be
suspended vertically with the union to the north in an east and west street or
to the east in a north and south street.
(k) When used on a speaker's platform, the flag, if displayed flat, should be
displayed above and behind the speaker. When displayed from a staff in a church
or public auditorium, the flag of the United States of America should hold the
position of superior prominence, in advance of the audience, and in the position
of honor at the clergyman's or speaker's right as he faces the audience. Any
other flag so displayed should be placed on the left of the clergyman or speaker
or to the right of the audience.
(l) The flag should form a distinctive feature of the ceremony of unveiling a
statue or monument, but it should never be used as the covering for the statue
or monument.
(m) The flag, when flown at half-staff, should be first hoisted to the peak for
an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The flag should be again
raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day. On Memorial Day the flag
should be displayed at half-staff until noon only, then raised to the top of the
staff. By order of the President, the flag shall be flown at half-staff upon the
death of principal figures of the United States Government and the Governor of a
State, territory, or possession, as a mark of respect to their memory. In the
event of the death of other officials or foreign dignitaries, the flag is to be
displayed at half-staff according to Presidential instructions or orders, or in
accordance with recognized customs or practices not inconsistent with law. In
the event of the death of a present or former official of the government of any
State, territory, or possession of the United States, the Governor of that
State, territory, or possession may proclaim that the National flag shall be
flown at half-staff. The flag shall be flown at half-staff 30 days from the
death of the President or a former President; 10 days from the day of death of
the Vice President, the Chief Justice or a retired Chief Justice of the United
States, or the Speaker of the House of Representatives; from the day of death
until interment 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; and on the day of death and the following day
for a Member of Congress. The flag shall be flown at half-staff on Peace
Officers Memorial Day, unless that day is also Armed Forces Day. As used in this
subsection -
(1) the term ''half-staff'' means the position of the flag when it is one-half
the distance between the top and bottom of the staff;
(2) the term ''executive or military department'' means any agency listed under
sections 101 and 102 of title 5, United States Code; and
(3) the term ''Member of Congress'' means a Senator, a Representative, a
Delegate, or the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico.
(n) When the flag is used to cover a casket, it should be so placed that the
union is at the head and over the left shoulder. The flag should not be lowered
into the grave or allowed to touch the ground.
(o) When the flag is suspended across a corridor or lobby in a building with
only one main entrance, it should be suspended vertically with the union of the
flag to the observer's left upon entering. If the building has more than one
main entrance, the flag should be suspended vertically near the center of the
corridor or lobby with the union to the north, when entrances are to the east
and west or to the east when entrances are to the north and south. If there are
entrances in more than two directions, the union should be to the east
Sec. 8. - Respect for flag
No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United
States of America; the flag should not be dipped to any person or thing.
Regimental colors, State flags, and organization or institutional flags are to
be dipped as a mark of honor.
(a) The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal
of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.
(b) The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the
floor, water, or merchandise.
(c) The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and
free.
(d) The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. It
should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to
fall free. 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
speaker's desk, draping the front of the platform, and for decoration in
general.
(e) The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a
manner as to permit it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way.
(f) The flag should never be used as a covering for a ceiling.
(g) The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor
attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or
drawing of any nature.
(h) The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding,
carrying, or delivering anything.
(i) The flag should never be used for advertising
purposes in any manner whatsoever. It should not be embroidered on such articles
as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on
paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and
discard. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from
which the flag is flown.
(j) No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform.
However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel,
firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents
a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel
flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.
(k) The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem
for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning
Sec. 9. - Conduct during
hoisting, lowering or passing of flag
During the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the flag or when
the flag is passing in a parade or in review, all persons present except those
in uniform should face the flag and stand at attention with the right hand over
the heart. Those present in uniform should render the military salute. When not
in uniform, men should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it
at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Aliens should stand at
attention. The salute to the flag in a moving column should be rendered at the
moment the flag passes
Sec. 10. - Modification of rules
and customs by President
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; and any such alteration or additional rule
shall be set forth in a proclamation.
For More Information Contact:
American Legion Post #43
Corner of North Cache Street and Gill Street
Tel: 307-739--7143
Internet:
alpost43@gmail.com
|
American Legion Post #43