Flag Etiquette

Flying the American Flag

You should display the flag every day from sunrise to sunset, weather permitting. If you would like to display your flag at night, it must be illuminated. We have a great selection of solar lights that mount on top of the pole to ensure illumination.

HOW LONG SHOULD I FLY THE FLAG AT HALF-MAST?

The President may order the flag to be flown at half-staff to mark the death of other officials, former officials, or foreign dignitaries. In addition to these occasions, the president may also order half-staff display of the flag after other tragic events. When a half-staff order is issued, it will state when and how long the American flag or any state flag should be flown at half-staff. In any event, the flag should be briskly run up to the top of the staff before being lowered slowly to the half-mast position.

During Half-Staff flag flying days, all flags should be lowered as stated. For flagpoles with multiple flags, remove any additional flags below the American flag that are suspended at or below the cleat on your flagpole for the duration of the half-staff order. This will eliminate the chance that one of your flags will be dishonored by touching the ground.

The flag is to be flown at half-staff at all federal buildings, grounds and naval vessels in the Washington, D.C., area on the day and day after the death of a United States senator, representative, territorial delegate, or the resident commissioner from the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. It should also be flown at half-staff on all federal facilities in the state, congressional district, territory, or commonwealth of these officials.

How to Display your flag 

ON A POLE WITH ANOTHER FLAG

When the American flag
is on the same pole as
an organization, state, or
city flag, the U.S. flag is
always at the top
of the pole, in a position
of honor.

AT HALF-STAFF OR HALF-MAST

“Half-staff” is half the distance
from the top to the bottom of a
flagpole. If flying a single flag,
the center-point of the U.S. flag
should be aligned with the
center-point of the flagpole.

AGAINST A WALL OR IN A WINDOW

When displayed either
horizontally or vertically,
the union or blue field
should be to the
observer’s left, as shown.

WITH THE FLAGS OF OTHER NATIONS

Each flag should be the same size and displayed
at the same height. It is inappropriate
to display one country’s flag above another.

                                                          U.S. Flag Code:  

                                                                                            Respect Our Flag

No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America; the flag should not be dipped to any person or thing. Regimental colors, State flags, and organization or institutional flags are to be dipped as a mark of honor.

1. The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.
2. The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise.
3. The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free.
4. The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free. Bunting of blue, white, and red always arranged with the blue above, the white in the middle, and the red below, should be used for covering speaker’s desk, draping the front of the platform, and for decoration in general.
5. The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way.
6. The flag should never be used as a covering for a ceiling.
7. The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature.
8. The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
9. The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. It should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkin or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown.
10. No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.
11. The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.

When to fly Old Glory