Display your pride the
right way!
Flag Day is June 14th, and America's landscape
will be painted with red, white and blue from the mountains to the sea and everywhere in
between. However; all of us, no matter where we live, should observe the same rules when
displaying the American flag. Here are a few reminders not only for Flag Day, but for every
day:
- When the flag is displayed over the
middle of the street, it should be suspended vertically with the union to the north in an
east and west street; or to the east in a north and south street.
- The flag of the United States of
America, when it is displayed with another flag against a wall from crossed staffs, should
be on the right, the flag's own right [that means the viewer's left --Webmaster], and its
staff should be in front of the staff of the other flag.
- The flag, when flown at half-staff,
should be first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff
position. The flag should be again raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day. By
"half-staff" is meant lowering the flag to one-half the distance between the top and bottom
of the staff. Crepe streamers may be affixed to spear heads or flagstaffs in a parade only
by order of the President of the United States.
- When flags of States, cities, or
localities, or pennants of societies are flown on the same halyard with the flag of the
United States, the latter should always be at the peak. When the flags are flown from
adjacent staffs, the flag of the United States should be hoisted first and lowered last. No
such flag or pennant may be placed above the flag of the United States or to the right of
the flag of the United States.
- When the flag is suspended over a
sidewalk from a rope extending from a house to a pole at the edge of the sidewalk, the flag
should be hoisted out, union first, from the building.
- When the flag of the United States
is displayed from a staff projecting horizontally or at an angle from the window sill,
balcony, or front of a building, the union of the flag should be placed at the peak of the
staff unless the flag is at half-staff.
- When the flag is used to cover a
casket, it should be so placed that the union is at the head and over the left shoulder. The
flag should not be lowered into the grave or allowed to touch the ground.
- When the flag is displayed in a
manner other than by being flown from a staff, it should be displayed flat, whether indoors
or out. When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union should be
uppermost and to the flag's own right, that is, to the observer's left. When displayed in a
window it should be displayed in the same way, that is with the union or blue field to the
left of the observer in the street. When festoons, rosettes or drapings are desired, bunting
of blue, white and red should be used, but never the flag.
- That the flag, when carried in a
procession with another flag, or flags, should be either on the marching right; that is, the
flag's own right, or, if there is a line of other flags, in front of the center of that
line.
- The flag of the United States of
America should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags
of States or localities or pennants of societies are grouped and displayed from
staffs.
- When flags of two or more nations
are displayed, they are to be flown from separate staffs of the same height. The flags
should be of approximately equal size. International usage forbids the display of the flag
of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace.
- When displayed from a staff in a
church or public auditorium, the flag of the United States of America should hold the
position of superior prominence, in advance of the audience, and in the position of honor at
the clergyman's or speaker's right as he faces the audience. Any other flag so displayed
should be placed on the left of the clergyman or speaker or to the right of the
audience.
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