Flag Day - Do You Know Your Flag Etiquette? - New Empire Insurance Services

Flag Day – Do You Know Your Flag Etiquette?

Things to remember when displaying the American Flag.

Showing respect and devotion to our nation’s flag has become a part of our everyday lives, whether we are singing the national anthem, reciting the pledge of allegiance, or simply hanging the flag outside of our offices and homes.

The American Flag stands for our nation and the shared history, pride, and commitment of its people. When we properly display this commanding symbol, we gesture our admiration for everything it represents.

We recognize our national flag on June 14th across the United States of America each year, but did you know that Federal law stipulates many aspects of flag etiquette? The section of law dealing with American Flag etiquette is generally referred to as the Flag Code.

Here are some general guidelines for proper use to remember when displaying the American Flag this Flag Day:

The flag code states that the flag should not touch anything beneath it, including the ground. This is stated to indicate that care should be exercised in the handling of the flag, to protect it from becoming soiled or damaged.
When flown vertically on a pole, the stars and blue field, or “union”, is at the top and at the end of the pole.
The custom is to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on flagstaffs in the open, but it may be displayed at night upon special occasions to produce a patriotic effect.
No other flag should be placed above the flag of the United States or, if on the same level, to its right.
The flag should be flown in fair weather, unless designed for inclement weather.
The flag should never be used for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
When a flag is so worn, it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.
The flag should not be used as a drapery, or for covering a speaker’s desk, draping a platform, or for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top.
The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose, nor embroidered on cushions or handkerchiefs, printed on paper napkins or boxes, nor used as any portion of a costume.

For additional information on flag etiquette, visit www.legion.org/flag/code.