Flag Etiquette

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Pledge of Alligence:I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. 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 speaker's 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. 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, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag should never have placed on top of 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 that it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning it in a dignified manner. Note:  Most American Legion Posts regularly conduct a dignified flag burning ceremony, often on Flag Day, the 14th of June.  You may contact your local American Legion Hall and inquire about the availability of this service.  Click here for more information on our flag from The American Legion. 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 displayed from the same flagpole with another flag, of a state, community, society or Scout unit - the flat 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 (stars) 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 other states, communities, or societies on separate flat 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 - higher and on the right.  The other flags may be smaller, but none may be larger.  No other flag ever should be placed above it.  In America, 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. 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.  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 the 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 right, and to the observes 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 their hearts and men with hats should remove them and hold them to their 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 halfway 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. When used to cover a casket, the flag should be placed with the union (stars) at the head and over the left side.  It should not be lowered into the grave.