Everyday Etiquette ~ Everyday Tips
Flag Etiquette
There are certain rules and customs connected
with the flag of the United States that all citizens should know
and follow to show respect for the country and our patriotism.
It is proper to fly the flag every day of
the year, weather permitting, between sunrise and sunset. Customarily
it is not flown in inclement weather unless there is a particular
occasion that requires its display. It may also be displayed at
night as part of a patriotic display.
Displaying
the Flag
When displayed over the middle of a street, the flag should be
suspended vertically with the union (the blue field) to the north
in an east-west street, or to the east in a north-south street.
When displayed with another flag from crossed staffs, the flag
of the United States should be on the right (the flag's own right)
and its staff should be in front of the staff of the other flag.
The flag should be raised briskly and lowered slowly and solemnly.
The flag should never be hung upside down except as a signal of
distress.
Flying
at Half-Staff
When flown at half-staff, the flag should be hoisted to the peak
for a moment and then lowered to the half-staff position. And
the flag should again be raised to the peak before lowering for
the day.
More
Flag Information
When flags of states or cities or pennants of societies are flown
on the same halyard with the flag of the United States, the latter
should also be at the peak. When flown from adjacent staffs, the
national flag should be hoisted first and lowered last.
When the flag is suspended over a sidewalk
from a rope extending from house to pole at the edge of the sidewalk,
the flag should be hoisted union first.
When the flag is displayed from a staff
projecting horizontally or at an angle from a window sill, balcony
or the front of a building, the union of the flag should go all
the way to the peak of the staff, except when at half mast.
On a power boat the flag is flown from
8 a.m. until sunset. It flies from a staff at the stern when the
boat is anchored, or if the boat has a gaff, may be flown from
the gaff when under way.
The flag is flown from the stern of a sailboat
in the harbor or under power, and may be flown while the boat
is under sail.
When used to cover a casket the flag should
be placed so 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 flown from a staff, it should be flat, not tucked or
draped, whether indoors or out. When displayed vertically against
a wall, the union should be uppermost and to the observer's left.
When displayed in a window it should be displayed in the same
way, with the union to the left of the observer in the street.
When carried in a procession with another
flag or flags, either the American flag should be on the marching
right, or when there is a line of other flags, it may be in front
of the center of that line.
When a number of flags of states or cities
are grouped and displayed from staffs, our national flag should
be at the center or at the highest point of the group. If the
flags of two or more nations are displayed, they should be flown
from separate staffs of the same height, and 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 the flag is used in a church--in the
chapel or on a platform--it should be placed on a staff on the
clergyman's right; other flags are on his left. When displayed
in the body of the church, the flag should be on the congregation's
right as it faces the chancel.
As an identifying symbol on an automobile
the flag is shown on a small staff affixed to the end of the front
bumper, on the right looking forward and within the line of the
fender. When used in this way, the staff should be tall enough
so that the flag clears the car hood. If the flag has become soiled
or torn, it should be promptly removed and replaced.
Care
of the Flag
The flag of our country should be carefully protected in storage
and in use so that it will not be damaged. Every precaution should
be taken to prevent it from becoming soiled or torn. It should
not be permitted to touch the ground, or water, or a floor. In
handling the flag do not let it brush against other objects.
If it should get wet it should be hung smoothly
until dry-never rolled or folded while still damp. Flags should
be dry-cleaned, not washed.
Saluting
the Flag
Whenever the flag passes by, as in a parade, men and women pay
it their respects. Women stand quietly with hands at their sides,
or they may place their right hands over their hearts if they
wish. Men remove their hats and hold them, in their right hands,
over their hearts. Men and women in the armed forces give the
military salute as the flag passes.
When the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag
is spoken at a public dinner or in church, men and women both
stand quietly at attention while they repeat it or listen to the
person giving the Pledge.
The
National Anthem
Everyone, even very young children,
should rise and remain standing during the playing of "The Star-Spangled
Banner." It is not easy to sing, and you need not do so if you
do not have the necessary range or "ear," but you must stand quietly
until you hear "O'er the land of the free and the home of the
brave."
If you are on the way to your seat at a
sports event, or in any public place, when the strain, 'Oh say,
can you see, by the dawn's early light," sounds, stop where you
are and stand at attention until the end. Don't talk, chew gum
loudly, eat or smoke during the singing of the anthem.
Wearing
a Flag Lapel Pin
A U.S. flag lapel pin should be worn on the left lapel.
For more information on flags, visit: http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetiq.html
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