What is the U.S. Flag Law?
Title 4 of the United States Code details the law for the proper display and care of the U.S. flag. There are no penalties for noncompliance of this law, nor is the law widely enforced. Punishment for violation is left up to the states, each of which has its own flag law.
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Display
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The U.S. flag should be displayed during daylight hours or 24 hours a day if properly illuminated at nighttime. The flag should be displayed on or near all public administrative offices and in or near schoolhouses and polling places.
Position
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The U.S. flag should be displayed to the flag's right of other flags, with no flags above the U.S. flag and with the union (blue portion) on top. If suspended in a lobby corridor or over a street, the U.S. flag should be hung vertically. When displayed on a casket, the union should be at the head of the casket and should be removed before burial.
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Respect
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The U.S. flag should never touch the ground, be carried flat, used for decoration or apparel, and should be destroyed with dignity when no longer in condition for display.
Hoisting, Lowering or Passing
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When the U.S. flag is being hoisted, lowered or passed, all persons, except those in uniform, should be facing the flag with their right hand placed over their heart. Those in uniform should salute. Men should remove their hats in their right hand and hold at their left shoulder so the hand is over their heart.
Desecration
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The preferred way to destroy the U.S. flag is by burning. Flags can be given to any post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States (VFW) for proper retirement.
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