Customer Service - Flag Care and Protocol

Flag Protocol

When should a flag fly?

It is the universal custom to display the Flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and stationary flagstaffs in the open. However the Flag may be displayed twenty-four hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness. It should not be displayed when the weather is inclement, except when an all-weather Flag is used.

Where should a flag be located?

The Flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously. The Flag should be displayed daily on or near the main administration building of every public institution; in or near every polling place on election days; and during school days, in or near every schoolhouse.

Is there a special way to use flags in ceremonies?

When carried in a procession with another flag or flags, the Flag of the United States of America should be either on the marching right or, if there is a line of other flags, in front of the center of that line. No other flag or pennant should be placed above or, if on the same level, to the right of the flag, except during church services conducted by naval chaplains at sea, when the church pennant may be flown above the flag during church services for Navy personnel.

How should the flag be displayed with other flags?

When displayed with another flag against a wall from crossed staffs, the Flag of the United States of America should be on the Flag's own right, and its staff should be in front of the staff of the other flag. When a number of flags of States or localities or pennants of societies are displayed from staffs, the Flag of the United States of America should be at the center and at the highest point of the group. When flags of states, cities, and localities, or pennants from societies are flown on the halyard with the Flag of the United States, the Flag should always be at the peak. When flags are flown from adjacent staffs, the Flag should be hoisted first and lowered last. 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.

How should a flag be displayed during a speaking engagement?

When used on a speaker's platform, the Flag should be displayed above and behind the speaker when displayed from a staff in a church or public auditorium, the Flag should be in the position of honor at the clergyman's or speakers right as he faces the audience. Any other flag should be placed on the left of the clergyman or speaker.

Are there any rules about half-staff?

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. Before it is lowered for the day, the flag should again be raised to the peak. On Memorial Day the Flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon, then raised to the top of the staff.

How should you use a flag at a funeral?

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.

Flag Care

Clean your flag regularly. Outdoor flags can be hand-washed with warm water and a mild soap, then rinsed and laid flat to dry. Professional dry cleaning is recommended for indoor flags. When it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, the Flag should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.

Respecting the Flag

So that no disrespect should be shown to the flag, it should not be dipped to any person or thing. Regimental flags, State flags and organization or institution flags are to be dipped 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; i.e., the ground, the floor, water. It should never be carried flat or horizontally but always aloft and free.

It should never be used as wearing apparel, 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 decoration in general.

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, firepersons, policepersons, 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 near the heart.

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