Flag Etiquette

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FLAG ETIQUETTE

The following is excerpted from “Flag Etiquette” by the Connecticut Society of the Sons of the American Revolution http://www.ctssar.org/flag_etiquette.htm and from the Office of the Governor, State of Connecticut http://www.ct.gov/governorrell

DISPLAYING THE FLAG

When displaying the flag, it is important to remember certain guidelines of proper flag etiquette. They are:

When on display or carried in a procession with other flags, the flag should be positioned to its own right. Also, it should be placed to the right of a speaker or staging area, while other flags are placed to the left.
When the flag is displayed from a staff projecting horizontally from a window sill, balcony, or building, the stars of the flag should be placed at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half staff.
The flag 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 the flag is displayed either vertically or horizontally against a wall, the stars should be placed at the top of the flag's right and the observer's left.
When the flag is unfurled for display across a street, it should be hung vertically, with the stars to the north or east.
When the flag is flown with flags of other nations they are to be displayed from separate staffs of the same height, and each should be of equal size. International law forbids the display of the flag of one nation to be flown above that of another nation during time of peace.
During a time of national mourning, the flag can be flown at half mast by order or proclamation of the President of the United States. When flown at half mast, the flag should be hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half staff position. The flag should be raised to the peak before it is lowered at the end of the day. On Memorial Day the flag should be displayed at half mast until noon, then raised to the top of the staff and flown until sunset.
When the flag is used to cover a casket, it should be placed with the stars at the head and over the left shoulder. The flag should not be lowered into the grave or be allowed to touch the ground.

RESPECT FOR THE FLAG

The Flag Code, a national guideline on ways in which the flag is to be respected, states that no disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America. Specific ways, in which the flag should not be used, according to the code, are:

The flag should not be dipped to any person or thing, and can be flown upside down only as a distress signal.
The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. Bunting of blue, white, and red can be used for covering a speaker's desk, draping the front of a platform, or for decoration in general.
The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a way that would allow it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged.
The flag should never have any mark, insignia, letter, work, or other designs of any kind placed upon it.
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. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, paper napkins, boxes, or anything that is designed for temporary use. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a flag's staff or halyard.
No part of the flag should be used is an element of a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be worn on the uniform of military personnel, firemen, and members of patriotic or other national organizations, such as the uniforms of veterans' service organizations or Scout uniforms.
When lowering the flag, make certain that no part of it touches the ground. It should be received by waiting hands and arms. To store the flag, ceremoniously fold it length wise in half, then repeat with the blue field on the outside. Finally, while one person holds it by the blue field, another then makes a triangular fold in the opposite end, continuing to fold it in triangles until only the blue shield shows.
When a flag is in such a condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, it should be destroyed in a dignified manner, preferably by burning.

FLYING OUR FLAG

It is proper to display the flag from sunrise to sunset on all days the weather permits. The flag may also be displayed at night if illuminated by a light.

WHEN TO FLY THE FLAG AT HALF MAST
During a time of national mourning, the flag can be flown at half mast by order or proclamation of the President of the United States. Federal law permits the Governor of a state to lower the United States flag to half-staff in the event of the death of a present or former government official which includes the death in the line of duty of any member of the U.S. Armed Services from that state. To find out if the flag has been ordered to be at half mast in Connecticut, see the State of Connecticut homepage http://www.ct.gov

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SOURCE: Connecticut Society of the Sons of the American Revolution website http://www.ctssar.org ; Office of the Governor, State of Connecticut http://www.ct.gov/governorrell
PREPARED BY: 211/fj
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: June2008