Summer in So Cal is perfect - Great weather, outdoor activities, and extra daylight! Along with summer we get to enjoy patriotic holidays like Memorial Day, Flag Day, and Independence Day, which celebrate and honor our country. One of the best ways to show your country support and appreciation is to display an American Flag - Here are some basic tips on flag etiquette and how to properly display a flag at your home!
STANDARDS of RESPECT
The Flag Code,
which formalizes and unifies the traditional ways in which we give respect to
the flag, also contains specific instructions on how the flag is not to be
used. They are:
- 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.
Thanks for reading! Prudential California Realty www.prucalhomes.com 805-496-0555
