How to Display an American Flag on a Pole
Flying the national colors in front of your home, business or gathering place shows respect for your country and for the men and women who have served to protect it. Protocol dictates how the American flag must by displayed on a flag pole. Ensuring that this protocol is adhered to is part of the responsibility of flying the national flag. Proper maintenance of both the flag and the pole is also part of that responsibility and will show that you are flying the flag honorably and not just as an affectation of patriotism.
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Instructions
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Raise the flag at sunrise every morning and lower it by sunset. The flag should not be flown at night unless it is illuminated. When attaching or detaching the flag to the halyard---the line used for hoisting---be sure the flag does not touch the ground.
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Do not fly the flag in conditions of extreme weather, unless it is made of all-weather material. Hurricanes, tornadoes, severe snow or lightning storms could damage a regular cloth-made flag.
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Make sure the American flag is flown higher than any other flag in its immediate vicinity. The only exception to this is when another nation is being represented. In this case, the two flags should be of equal size and at equal height.
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Attach the American flag first if it will be sharing the same halyard with another flag. The American flag should be never be lower than another representative flag.
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Fly the flag at half-staff only when it is appropriate to do so, as in the case of the death of a national figure, a fallen local hero or on a day of national mourning as declared by the president of the United States. When flying the flag at half-staff, it should be raised to its peak first and then ceremoniously lowered to the half-staff position. When lowering it for the evening, it should again be raised to the top of the pole first.
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Maintain the condition of the halyard so that it remains sturdy. If you notice it has become frayed or damaged it should be replaced immediately.
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Tips & Warnings
When a flag has become damaged or worn over time, it should be disposed of properly. The Department of Veteran Affairs suggests burning it ceremoniously.
