How to Properly Fly an American Flag

You’re walking out to your flagpole and it dawns on you – you’re not sure about the proper protocol for flying your American flag. Yes, you’ve heard some things about what’s right and wrong over the years, but you’re not quite positive you’re doing it correctly. Here are some rules and steps for hoisting
the flag of the United States of America. These rules apply if you have a traditional flag pole or a pole stuck to the eave of your house (though half-staff would be difficult for the stick flags).

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Check the WEATHER. If the weather is poor, such as with rain, snow, hail or extreme winds, turn around and don’t bother to raise the flag.

2. Check the LIGHT. If darkness is upon you, make sure you bring the flag down. If you want to display the flag at night, make sure you have a spot light trained on the top of the flagpole. No, just having any ordinary light nearby will not pass for a “lit flag.” If that’s the case, bring the flag down.

3. Check the FLAG. Make sure it’s not too badly worn, shredded or faded. If any of these conditions exist, replace the flag. There’s something sad about a worn and tattered flag – it’s not a sign that this object, and what it stands for, is important to you.

4. Make sure the UNION IS UP. Yes, it’s a simple idea, but some of us have seen flags flying upside down – most commonly because the person raising the flag was not paying attention. Again, that does not send a message that this is an important task to you. Remember, an upside down flag is a signal of an emergency. Do you want people knocking on your door asking about an emergency?

5. RAISE THE FLAG BRISKLY. Send it to the top of the flag pole proud and strong. Show the energy and determination that made the United States every time you raise the flag. Even if you’re going to fly the flag at half-staff, start by raising the flag briskly.

6. SLOWLY LOWER TO HALF STAFF. If the flag is to be flown at half-staff (sometimes called “half-mast” – that’s a ship’s term), bring it down to the half-way mark very slowly, showing fellow Americans your feelings of mourning or emotional pain.

7. BRISKLY RAISE THE FLAG at the end of a half-staff day, before you lower it. Remember, you’re saying that no matter what you are mourning, the honor and energy of the United States is unchanged.

8. AT THE END OF THE DAY, no matter how the flag was flown, slowly lower the flag. Show that the day is done, and you are hesitant to take the flag down.

9. Properly FOLD YOUR FLAG, then store it in a place not exposed to the weather or extremes of heat and cold.

Tips & Warnings

• Treat every American flag, no matter how many stars, with the same respect as the current 50 star version. So, if you're flying a 13 star "Betsy Ross" flag, or a 48 star version, they deserve the same treatment as the 50 star version.

Resources

• Also by me: Fly International Flags Properly
• Also by me: Fly U.S. State Flags Properly

[sonni57]

on 10/1/2009 Good advice on when to fly the American flag aka Old Glory.

[sonni57]

on 10/1/2009 Good advice on when to fly the American flag aka Old Glory.