 tke711Premium
join:2001-03-31
Everywhere | The U.S. Flag code: Standards of respect Since everyone is now flying flags, I thought it would be a good idea to post the U.S. Flag code. It's long, but worth the read!
The U.S. Flag code: Standards of respect
From the United States code, as revised and posted by U.S. House of Representatives.
- The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal.
- The flag should not be used as a drapery, or for covering a speakers desk, draping a platform, or for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top.
- The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard
- The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, fireman, policeman and members of patriotic organizations.
- The flag should never have placed on it, or attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind.
- The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
- 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.
--
"In time of need-we must all stand together, or we may all stand alone." - FDR |
|
Anon | Most MLB teams will have patches on shirts and hats starting today, from that code they shouldnt right? |
|
 PatientGuyI'M Way Deep Into Nothing SpecialPremium
join:2000-12-11
Arlington, VA | reply to tke711
Thanks tke711. I had some idea of what the standards were but there sure is a lot I didn't know. I'm going to keep a copy of your post for reference. I found that the rules for hanging flags above a road particularly interesting. I never knew if that was proper at all much less the direction the union should face. What a great idea for a post! |
|
|
|
 jDynoPremium
join:2001-02-20
Washington, DC | reply to tke711
Just curious, where did you find this? Is it part of a larger document.
Plus, I thought this deserved a ^ bump ^.
--
Just because I can't understand what you're saying doesn't necessarily mean that what you're saying is deep. |
|
 EricAnimals Rule This LandPremium,MVM
join:2000-09-29
I see trees. | reply to Anon
said by flashjordan:
Most MLB teams will have patches on shirts and hats starting today, from that code they shouldn't right?
I think MLB should qualify as a patriotic organization. It is our national pastime.
Thanks for the post tke711. More people need to read this. I learned a lot when I was on the color guard at the police academy.
--
Ja Da. |
|
 JRBloodPremium
join:1999-12-28
Syracuse, NY | reply to tke711
Thanks, tke711. I had forgotten a lot of these rules since I left the Navy.
Even though I'm a civilian now, I still want to salute the flag in the the military fashion. Is this wrong? If so, I'll salute it properly. |
|
EricAnimals Rule This LandPremium,MVM
join:2000-09-29
I see trees. | said by JRBlood:
Even though I'm a civilian now, I still want to salute the flag in the the military fashion. Is this wrong? If so, I'll salute it properly.
I think you have to be in uniform. Otherwise it is a hand over the heart. I could be wrong though.
--
Ja Da. |
|
 seaquakePremium,MVM
join:2001-03-23
Millersville, MD
 ·Verizon FiOS
| reply to tke711
I found this same information a couple of days ago when I looked it up for my wife. She did not know that flying the flag after dusk without it being lit is a sign of disrespect. So, I printed out the 5 pages of flag protocol. She could not believe all the "rules". I told her the only ones she really needs to worry about is the draping of the flag and it being lit at night...every thing else she has done is correct.
This is a good post, though. I think I saw someone wrapped in a flag at the Friday night vigil at the Pentagon.
--
After a time you may come to realize that having is not such a pleasing thing as wanting. It is not logical, but it is often true. |
|
Anon | reply to Eric
Hey, I was just pointing out it said "The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, fireman, policeman and members of patriotic organizations. " I personally don’t consider baseball a patriotic organization; it’s a business, purely for entertainment. I could mention many patriotic organizations and they don’t get paid displaying the flag. I'm not against it, just thought that would be against the code. |
|
EricAnimals Rule This LandPremium,MVM
join:2000-09-29
I see trees. | You are 100% correct. I was just being a smart azz.:) |
|
tke711Premium
join:2001-03-31
Everywhere | reply to jDyno
I found this on our Milwaukee Journal web site. They also have some pictures for wallpaper.
--
"In time of need-we must all stand together, or we may all stand alone." - FDR |
|
| reply to tke711
The Flag Code is another name for US Code, Title 4, Chapter 1. You can read the entire text here. |
|
tke711Premium
join:2001-03-31
Everywhere | said by wheelert:
The Flag Code is another name for US Code, Title 4, Chapter 1. You can read the entire text here.
Thanks for the complete US Code wheelert!
--
"In time of need-we must all stand together, or we may all stand alone." - FDR |
|
| reply to wheelert$93
Is there a way to keep this post at the top without bumping it? This defiantly needs to be at the top. Great posts everyone. |
|
tke711Premium
join:2001-03-31
Everywhere | reply to tke711
Bump ^^^^^^^^^ |
|
 Mac BridgerLate to the partyPremium
join:2001-01-11
West Newton, PA | Every good thread deserves a...
BUMP |
|
 FlaggerPremium
join:2001-08-10
Weimville | reply to tke711
In at the Olympics in 1936, the US team did not bow the US flag to Hitler as all other countries had done. |
|
| reply to tke711
what's this doing on page 2? ... not anymore
BUMP |
|
| reply to tke711
^BUMP^ ^BUMP^ ^BUMP^ |
|
 SkipdawgThe OriginalPremium,ExMod 2001-03
join:2001-04-19
Mount Vernon, WA | reply to tke711
AM or Tom this would be a good one to lockup and put atop the forum 
--
US Navy Veteran 1983-1987 Life Member: AMVETS,DAV & VFW |
|
