Flag Etiquette: Don't Commit a Flag Faux Pas

With three big Flag holidays coming up in short order, those being Memorial Day, Flag Day on June 14 and Independence Day on July 4, many Americans will be unfurling their flags in a show of patriotism on these days. But did you know there is such a thing as flag etiquette? A specific way your Flag should be displayed? Read on so you don't inadvertently get caught in a flag faux pas!

First and foremost, the Flag should be displayed in a proper fashion, either up a flag pole or in such a way that the Flag does not touch anything, allowing it to flow freely. The Flag is never meant to touch the ground. It is to be raised briskly, but when lowered, it is to be lowered slowly and reverently. Once lowered, ensuring that the Flag does not touch the ground, it is to be folded in a neat fashion (generally like a paper football) for storage until raised again. As a general rule, you should fly your Flag during daylight hours. It should be taken down at night, unless you have a spotlight on it.

If flown concurrently with another flag, for instance a State flag, Old Glory is to receive top billing. She must be flown higher than any other flags displayed with her. The other flags should not be larger than her and she is always the first to be raised and last to be lowered, and you should salute her on her on her ascent and descent. She must always be flown or displayed to her own right, a place of honor. The exception to this rule is when displayed with the flag of another country. In that case, the flags are to be flown on separate flag poles, with none higher than the others. They must also be the about the same size. It is a breach of protocol to fly one flag higher than the other in a time of peace.

If you must hang her on a wall, Old Glory should be displayed such that the Union (stars) is at the top. Never hang her bar side up, or upside down, as those are symbols of distress. When hung on a pole that juts out horizontally, such as on a balcony, or front of a building, the Union should be at the peak of the pole unless the Flag is to be flown at half-staff.