Etiquette for Hanging a Flag Outside
Hanging a U.S. flag outside requires knowledge of specific rules and etiquette. The U.S. Flag Code lists specific procedures, and being familiar with the code will help you hang the flag properly.
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Placement
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Hanging a flag from a flag pole or staff that extends from a building requires the flag to hang from the union, the blue square of stars. If the flag is suspended over the middle of a street, the flag should be displayed vertically.
Display
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If a flag pole is in use, the U.S. flag should be raised at a brisk pace. Lowering the flag should be ceremonious and brought down at a slow, respectful pace. The flag should be on display every day, including holidays and inaugurations.
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Night
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The U.S. flag should not hang outside after sunset, unless illuminated after dark. Flood lights or other lighting sources should point directly on the flag, so they will light the entire flag.
Weather
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During poor weather conditions, the flag should not be displayed outside. If rain, wind or other inclement weather is expected, remove the flag from the pole and bring it indoors. If the flag is made of an all-weather material, the flag may remain outdoors during these conditions.
Half-Staff
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If the flag is displayed on a flag pole, specific instances require the flag to be flown at half-staff. The president of the United States or the governor of a U.S state gives the order to lower flags to half-staff. Proper etiquette requires the flag to be raised completely to the top for an instant before being lowered to half-staff. Certain national holidays require specific instructions for the flag. For example, "on Memorial Day, the flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon only, then raised to the top of the staff," according to the U.S. Flag Code.
Considerations
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Even though the U.S. Flag Code is a part of federal law, the code does not give authority for officials to enforce rulings against those interpreting the code in different ways. Therefore, according to the code, the most important rule of etiquette is simply to always show respect to the U.S. flag.
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References
- Photo Credit usa flag image by Michael Shake from Fotolia.com
