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How to Properly Display the American Flag
Rate it! Votes (1) | Comments (0) By Cheri Sicard Posted August 6th, 2007 Cheri Sicard is the author of US Citizenship for Dummies, (2003, For Dummies)	US Citizenship for Dummies

Americans are proudly flying "Old Glory" like never before. Unfortunately, in their enthusiasm to show patriotic unity, many people are unknowingly ignoring the proper rules and etiquette of when and how to display the flag. Follow these guidelines, excerpted from the National Flag Code, and you'll always display your flag with dignity and pride, no matter what the occasion.

• It is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open. However, the flag may be displayed twenty-four hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.
• The flag should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement, except when an all-weather flag is displayed.
• The flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.
• To display the flag on a building, hang on a staff or rope with the stars away from the building.
• When marching, carry the flag on the right in a procession or parade. If there are many other flags, carry the American flag in the front center position.
• No other flag or pennant should be placed above or, if on the same level, to the right of the flag of the United States of America.
• When flags of states, cities, or societies are flown on the same halyard with the Stars and Stripes, the American flag should always be at the peak.
• When the 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 times of peace.
• The U.S. flag should always be on its own right in relation to other flags on adjacent staffs -- to the left of the observer.
• On a car -- attach the flag to the antenna or clamp the flagstaff to the right fender of a vehicle, but never lay the flag over the vehicle.
• When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall or in a window, the stars should be uppermost and to the observer's left.
• When carrying the flag, hold it at a slight angle from your body. It is also proper to carry the flag with one hand and rest it on your right shoulder.
• At a funeral, drape the flag over the casket with the stars at the head and over the left shoulder of the body. Do not lower the flag into the grave or allow it to touch the ground.

Half Staff Rules

• By order of the President, the flag shall be flown at half-staff upon the death of principal figures of the United States Government or the Governor of a State, territory or possession, as a mark of respect to their memory. In the event of the death of other officials or foreign dignitaries, the flag is to be displayed at half-staff according to presidential instructions or orders, or in accordance with recognized customs or practices not inconsistent with law.
• When flown at half-staff, the flag 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.
• On Memorial Day, the flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon only, then raised to the top of the staff.

Flag Don'ts
The United States flag code provides many rules for how, when and why the flag may be displayed, but it also warns of some important flag don'ts to avoid:

• The flag should not be displayed on a float in a parade --except from a staff, and should not be draped over the hood, top, sides, or back of any vehicle, railroad train or boat.
• While it's permissible for the flag to form a distinctive feature of the unveiling ceremony of a statue or monument, it should never be used as the actual covering piece.
• When it is permissible to use the flag to cover a casket, it should never be lowered into the grave or allowed to touch the ground.
• When being carried, the flag should not be dipped to any person or thing. Regimental colors, state flags, and organization or institutional flags are to be dipped to the American flag as a mark of honor.
• 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.
• The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, water, or merchandise.
• The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free.
• The flag should never be used as wearing appahref, 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 a speaker's desk, draping the front of the platform, and for general decoration.
• 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.
• The flag should never be used as a covering for a ceiling.
• 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.
• The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
• 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 napkins 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.
• 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.

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