When the flag is lowered, no part of it should
touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting
hands and arms. To store the flag it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.
The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary.
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.
Displaying the Flag Outdoors
When the flag is displayed from a staff projecting from a window, balcony,
or a building, the union should be at the peak of the staff unless the
flag is at half staff.
When it is displayed from the same flagpole with another flag - of a
state, community, society or Scout unit - the flag of the United States
must always be at the top except that the church pennant may be flown above
the flag during church services for Navy personnel when conducted by a
Naval chaplain on a ship at sea.
When the flag is displayed over a street, it should be hung vertically,
with the union to the north or east. If the flag is suspended over a sidewalk,
the flag's union should be farthest from the building.
When flown with flags of states, communities, or societies on separate
flag poles which are of the same height and in a straight line, the flag
of the United States is always placed in the position of honor - to its
own right.
..The other flags may be smaller but none may be larger.
..No other flag ever should be placed above it.
..The flag of the United States is always the first flag raised and
the last to be lowered.
When flown with the national banner of other countries, each flag must
be displayed from a separate pole of the same height. Each flag should
be the same size. They should be raised and lowered simultaneously. The
flag of one nation may not be displayed above that of another nation.
Raising and Lowering the Flag
The flag should be raised briskly and lowered slowly and ceremoniously.
Ordinarily it should be displayed only between sunrise and sunset. It should
be illuminated if displayed at night.
The flag of the United States of America is saluted as it is hoisted
and lowered. The salute is held until the flag is unsnapped from the halyard
or through the last note of music, whichever is the longest.
Displaying the Flag Indoors
When on display, the flag is accorded the place of honor, always positioned
to its own right. Place it to the right of the speaker or staging area
or sanctuary. Other flags should be to the left.
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, localities,
or societies are grouped for display.
When one flag is used with the flag of the United States of America
and the staffs are crossed, the flag of the United States is placed on
its own right with its staff in front of the other flag.
When displaying the flag against a wall, vertically or horizontally,
the flag's union (stars) should be at the top, to the flag's own right,
and to the observer's left.
Parading and Saluting the Flag
When carried in a procession, the flag should be to the right of the
marchers. When other flags are carried, the flag of the United States may
be centered in front of the others or carried to their right. When the
flag passes in a procession, or when it is hoisted or lowered, all should
face the flag and salute.
The Salute
To salute, all persons come to attention. Those in uniform give the
appropriate formal salute. Citizens not in uniform salute by placing their
right hand over the heart and men with head cover should remove it and
hold it to left shoulder, hand over the heart. Members of organizations
in formation salute upon command of the person in charge.
The Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem
The pledge of allegiance should be rendered by standing at attention,
facing the flag, and saluting.
When the national anthem is played or sung, citizens should stand at
attention and salute at the first note and hold the salute through the
last note. The salute is directed to the flag, if displayed, otherwise
to the music.
The Flag in Mourning
To place the flag at half staff, hoist it to the peak for an instant
and lower it to a position half way between the top and bottom of the staff.
The flag is to be raised again to the peak for a moment before it is lowered.
On Memorial Day the flag is displayed at half staff until noon and at full
staff from noon to sunset.
The flag is to be flown at half staff in mourning for designated, principal
government leaders and upon presidential or gubernatorial order.
When used to cover a casket, the flag should be placed with the union
at the head and over the left shoulder. It should not be lowered into the
grave. |