Although we think you
should fly your flag everyday, these
are the dates to fly the U.S. FLAG
throughout the year.
This is a complete list of dates
throughout the year on which you
should fly your U.S. Flag. All
should be at full staff unless
otherwise specified.
January 1
January 20
February 12
February 17
April 20
June 14
July 4
July 27 (half staff)
September 1
September 11 (half staff)
September 17
September 19
October 13
October 27
November 11
November 27
December 7 (half staff)
December 25
FLAG ETIQUETTE
When To
Display the Flag
The flag should be displayed on all days
when the weather permits, especially on
legal holidays or other special
occasions. It is customary to display
the flag from sunrise to sunset on
buildings or on stationary flagstaffs in
the open. However, on special occasions
it may be displayed at night, preferably
lighted. The Flag should be displayed.
on or near the main administration
building of every public institution-in
or near polling places on election
days-in or near schools when they are in
session. A citizen may fly the flag on
any day he wishes.
How To
Fly The Flag
The flag should be raised and lowered by
hand. Never, raise the flag while it is
furled; unfurl, then hoist quickly to
the peak of the flagstaff. It should be
lowered slowly and ceremoniously. The
flag should never be allowed to touch
anything beneath it, such as the ground
or the floor. The flying of the flag at
half-staff, is a sign of mourning.
When flown at half-staff, the flag
should be first hoisted to the peak,
then immediately lowered to the
half-staff position. It should be raised
to the peak again for a moment before it
is lowered for the day. Half-staff is
the point midway between top and bottom
of the flagstaff. On Memorial Day in
May, the flag should fly at half-staff
from sunrise until noon and at
full-staff from noon until sunset.
How To
Display The Flag
If the flag is displayed from a staff
projected from a window sill, balcony or
front of a building, the union of the
flag should go to the peak of the staff
(unless the flag is to be displayed at
half-staff). When the flag is displayed
in any manner other than being flown
from a staff, it should be displayed
flat, whether indoors or out. If
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 suspended in the same
way--that is, with the union to the left
of the observer in the street.
When displayed over the middle of the
street, the Stars and Stripes should be
suspended vertically with the union to
the north on an east-west street and to
the east on a north-south street. 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 out from the building
toward the pole union first. When used
on a speaker's platform the flag may be
displayed flat, above and behind the
speaker. If flown from a staff it should
be on the speaker's right; all other
flags on the platform should be on the
speakers left. When it is displayed on
the pulpit or chancel in a church, the
flag should be flown from a staff placed
on the clergyman's right as he faces the
congregation. All other flags on the
pulpit or chancel should be on the
clergyman's left. 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
always be at the peak. When flown from
adjacent staffs, the Stars and Stripes
should be raised first and lowered last.
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.
The casket should be carried foot-first
from the hearse to the grave. The flag
should not: be used as a costume or
athletic uniform or part of one; be used
as drapery of any sort whatsoever, never
festooned, drawn back or up in folds,
but always allowed to fall free. Bunting
of blue, white and red-- always arranged
with the blue above, white in the
middle, and red below--should be used
for such purposes of decoration as
covering a speaker's desk or draping the
front of a platform.
Saluting The Flag
In saluting the flag, those present in
uniform should render the military
salute. When not in uniform, men should
remove the hat with the right hand and
hold it at the left shoulder, the hand
being over the heart. Women and men
without hats should place the right hand
over the heart. Aliens should stand at
attention. All persons present should
face the flag, stand at attention and
salute on the following occasions:
1. When the flag is passing in a parade
or review. The salute to the flag
in the moving column is rendered at the
moment the flag passes.
2. During the ceremony of hoisting or
lowering the flag.
3. When the National Anthem is played
and the flag is displayed.
4. During the Pledge of Allegiance ... I
pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the
Republic for which it stands, one Nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all.
When the National Anthem is played and
the flag is not displayed, all present
should stand and face toward the music.
Those in uniform should salute at the
first note of the anthem, retaining this
position until the last note. All others
should stand at attention, men removing
their hats. When the flag is displayed,
all present should face the flag and
salute.
How To
Dispose Of Worn Flags
Every precaution should be taken to
prevent the flag from becoming soiled.
When a flag is in such a condition,
through wear or damage, that is no
longer a fitting emblem for display, it
should be destroyed privately in a
dignified manner. The flag should NEVER
be tilted (dipped) even momentarily to
any person or thing. Regimental colors,
State flags, organization or
institutional flags may be tilted as the
mark of honor.
Should never: be displayed with the
union down except as a signal of dire
distress; be displayed on a float, motor
car or boat except from a staff; be
allowed to touch the ground or floor, or
brush against objects; have objects
placed on it, over it, or be used as a
covering for a ceiling; have any mark,
insignia, letter work, figure, picture
or drawing of any nature placed upon or
attached to it; be used as a receptacle
for carrying anything, or be used to
cover a statue or monument. If used in
connection with unveiling ceremonies, it
should not serve as a covering of the
object being unveiled; be embroidered on
such articles as handkerchief or
cushions, or be printed or otherwise
impressed on boxes.
Flag Folding Ceremony
-
The flag folding ceremony represents the same religious principles on
which our country was originally founded. The portion of the flag
denoting honor is the canton of blue containing the stars representing
the states our veterans served in uniform. The canton field of blue
dresses from left to right and is inverted when draped as a pall on a
casket of a veteran who has served our country in uniform.
- In the Armed Forces of the United States, at the ceremony of retreat
the flag is lowered, folded in a triangle fold and kept under watch
throughout the night as a tribute to our nation's honored dead. The next
morning it is brought out and, at the ceremony of reveille, run aloft as
a symbol of our belief in the resurrection of the body.
The Meaning Behind Each Fold
-
The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.
- The second fold is a symbol of our belief in the eternal life.
- The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran
departing our ranks who gave a portion of life for the defense of our
country to attain a peace throughout the world.
- The fourth fold represents our weaker nature, for as American
citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well
as in times of war for His divine guidance.
- The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of
Stephen Decatur, "Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she
always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong."
- The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart
that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America,
and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
- The seventh fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for it is through
the Armed Forces that we protect our country and our flag against all
her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of
our republic.
- The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered in to the valley
of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor
mother, for whom it flies on mother's day.
- The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood; for it has been through
their faith, love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men
and women who have made this country great have been molded.
- The tenth fold is a tribute to father, for he, too, has given his
sons and daughters for the defense of our country since they were first
born.
- The eleventh fold, in the eyes of a Hebrew citizen, represents the
lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, and glorifies,
in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
- The twelfth fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an
emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the
Son, and Holy Ghost.
- When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost,
reminding us of our national motto, "In God we Trust."
-
After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the
appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served
under General George Washington and the sailors and marines who served
under Captain John Paul Jones who were followed by their comrades and
shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for us
the rights, privileges, and freedoms we enjoy today.
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How to fold the Flag
Step 1
To properly fold the Flag, begin by
holding it waist-high with another
person so that its surface is parallel
to the ground.
Step 2
Fold the lower half of the stripe
section lengthwise over the field
of stars, holding the bottom and top
edges securely.
Step 3
Fold the flag again lengthwise
with the blue field on the outside.
Step 4
Make a triangular fold by bringing
the striped corner of the folded edge to
meet the open (top) edge of the flag.
Step 5
Turn the outer (end) point inward,
parallel to the open edge, to form a
second triangle.
Step 6
The triangular folding is continued
until the entire length of the flag is
folded in this manner.
Step 7
When the flag is completely folded,
only a triangular blue field of stars
should be visible.
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