How to Display the American Flag Properly
The American flag has been a symbol of freedom and security for the American people for more than 200 years. During times of political unrest and terrorist activity against their country, the American people rally around the flag as a symbol of their patriotism and commitment to the country's values and ethics. Displaying the flag properly promotes respect and honors the principles for which it stands.
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Instructions
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Flag Pole
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1
Raise the American flag briskly to the top of the flag pole. It should never touch the ground and should be clean and in good repair. The blue field with the stars, or union, should be displayed at the top and close to the flag pole. Displaying the flag upside down is considered a distress signal.
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2
Lower the flag to the mid-point of the flag pole slowly and ceremoniously if you are flying it at half-staff in a display of mourning. Instances of flying the flag at half-staff include the death of government leaders and upon presidential or gubernatorial order.
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3
Salute the flag once the cord has been tied off. Hold the salute until the flag is flying freely or through the last note of the National Anthem, if played. A person in military, police, fire or scout uniform should perform a proper salute for his organization. All others should salute by placing their right hand over their heart. If you are wearing a hat, remove the hat with your right hand and hold it over your heart.
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4
Lower the flag by raising it briskly to the top, if flying at half-staff, and lowering slowly and ceremoniously to the bottom. Never allow the flag to touch the ground. Fold the flag in the triangle format with the union displayed. Carry the folded flag close to your heart, triangle upside-down, with both arms folded across it. If it is raining, you can take the flag indoors before folding, but still carry it close to the heart with folded arms.
Indoors
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5
Suspend the flag flat and unwrinkled against the wall with the union, or stars, at the top and on the left. This applies to both the vertical and the horizontal position. As the audience faces the flag, the union should be to the audience's left.
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6
Post the flag hanging from a staff so that it stands to the speaker's right, or the audience's left. If you are displaying the American flag along with a state's or organization's flag, the American flag should stand to the speaker's right and the other flag should stand to the speaker's left. If you are displaying the flags in a crossed position, the American flag should stand on the speaker's left, crossed and hung in front of the other flag so that the union is to the speaker's right.
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7
Display the American flag at the center and at the highest point when you are displaying it with a number of state or locality flags or societal pennants hanging from staffs.
Outdoors
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8
Display a flag suspended vertically over the middle of the street with the union to the north or the east, depending on the street direction.
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9
March with the American flag on the marching right when you carry it in a procession, such as a parade. The American flag should be front and center when carried with a line of other flags.
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10
Affix the staff of a flag securely to the chassis or clamp it to the right fender when you display it on a car, such as a government vehicle.
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11
Display the union of the flag at the peak of the staff when you place it at an angle from a window sill, a balcony or the front of a building.
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Place the union at the top and to the street's left when you hang it in a window.
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Tips & Warnings
During peace time, flags of allied countries can be displayed side-by-side on staffs of equal height.
Never wear the American flag as clothing. Never display it with frayed edges or tears. Never throw the flag in the trash to dispose of it. American Legions and Boy and Girl Scout organizations provide a flag disposal ceremony service for proper disposal.
References
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