Do you know the rules of American flag etiquette? There are rules dictating flying at half-staff, when to fly the flag, carrying the flag, folding the flag, and displaying with other flags. I do realize the rules of etiquette for an American flag may seem complicated, but they are quite simple to follow.
Flying at Half-Staff
“Half-staff” means the position of the American flag is halfway between the top and bottom of the staff. Flag etiquette dictates the flag to be flown at half-staff on Memorial Day until noon, then raise it back to the top, Patriot Day (September 11), Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (December 7), and death of a government official.
When to Fly the American Flag
There are several designated dates to fly an American flag throughout the year. The most noted are Memorial Day, Flag Day, and Independence Day. In addition, to specific days of the year is time of day constraints. For flags that are stationary on a building or a flagpole it is customary to fly them from sunrise to sunset. American flags can be flown at night provided it is properly illuminated. This means the flag must have its own dedicated spotlight and then it can be flown twenty-hours per day if desired.
Now that you know the rules of flag etiquette go ahead and proudly display your American patri
Carrying the American Flag
The American Flag should never be carried flat. An exception to this rule is if it is draped over a casket a funeral. Unless the flag is folded, it is to be carried on a hand held staff to displayed flying freely. Do not allow the American flag to touch the ground or any other object below it.
Folding the American Flag
Since the American flag should not be carried flat, folding it may be necessary for transportation, storage or display. In addition to the flag being folded by civilians, it is a procedure performed by members of the Armed Forces. Members of the Armed Forces fold the American flag after it is lifted from the casket at a military funeral. It is then presented to the next of kin. There are not specifics as how to the flag should be folded, but a standard American flag will require thirteen folds. To be more specific there should be two lengthwise folds and eleven triangular folds.
Displaying American Flag with Other Flags
American flags must be placed in a position of prominence over all other flags since it represents the government and in America, the government is the highest authority. In most cases, the American flag is displayed above church flags. It should be larger or equivalent to the size of other flags on the pole or staff. The American Flag should be hoisted first and lowered last when flown with other flags.
Don’t forget the rules of flag etiquette and show the world you’re proud to be an American!
There is one exception to the flag flying rules you state.
Although all true, the exception is that the Flag of the State of Texas may be flown at an equal height with the U.S. Flag. All others must be flown at a lower level.
This stems from the time when Texas was admitted to the Union. It was negotiated that since Texas was a Republic and its own country at the time it had equal standing with the United States and therefore would be allowed to fly its flag at an equal height.
Hello John,
Thank you for your input about American flag etiquette. This is an interesting piece of information that I was not aware of. See that? I learn something new everyday! Thanks again, John!
Krystal Lane
According to Federal Law, each of the 50 state flags may be flown on poles the same height as the US flag.. In doing this each flag should be about the same size.. and the US Flag will be flown on the left side as seen by the viewer. If there is a company or other flag to be flown, it will be at the far right. Each of the state flags, obviously shall be flown lower than the US flag on a single pole. Reference Texas Government Code: Title 11. State Symbols and Honors; Preservation Subtitle A. State Symbols and Honors
Man, I’ve been flying my flags for years here in AZ and know one every told me that it’s to be luminated at night. Just shows how the Southwest is not all that American. I’ll getur lite up.
Hello,
I have been told that you can fly a flag smaller than 3×5 twenty four hours a day.
I have a 2×3 flag attached on a pole to my rancher and fly it all the time.
Helen,
Thanks for your question! Actually, all flags regardless of size if flown at night must be completely illuminated. There are no exceptions to the rule for different sized flags — however in my opinion – the more often the flag is flown, the better. So I say keep it up!
–Tommy McLaughlin
Flag Blog
MY FAMILY WAS GIVEN A FLAG WHEN MY BROTHER PASSED AWAY IN 1994. HE HAD BEEN IN THE ARMY. UNFORTUNATELY, DURING A RECENT BREAK IN AT OUR FAMILY HOME THE FLAG WAS TAKEN OUT OF THE CASE AND STREWN ABOUT THE HOUSE. WE NOW HAVE THE FLAG AND HOLDER IN GOOD SHAPE BUT NEED SOMEONE TO RE-FOLD THE FLAG AND PLACE IN THE CONTAINER. WE NOW LIVE IN LOS ANGELES, SO PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS A LOCAL BUSINESS WHO DOES FOLDING.
THANKS,
ROBERT 323 899-3702/323 296-2803
Robert,
I am very sorry to hear about your brother. Please send my regards to your family. You may visit your local Los Angeles Boy Scouts chapter, your local VFW, or even a local military recruiting center to have your flag refolded for you. For more information about folding the flag, be sure to check out the following:
http://www.united-states-flag.com/folding-flag.html
The state of Texas entered the union by treaty instead of by annexation only state to do so ) and we can fly our flag the same height as the US flag. Texas is the only state to have a copitol building that is taler than the capitol in washington,DC by seven feet. I also wish Texas would secede from the union and become a republic again.We really don’t need all the crap that comes out of washington. Texas also has the right to secede from the union as this was part of the deal when we joined the union. Donald Nicholson
We wish you would secede, and take all the Bushes with you. Kisses.
Let’s not be ugly!
that was very rude………
What is the correct way for a person in civilian clothes to salute the U.S. Flag? I have been told that veterans can perform the military salute while other civilians put their hand over their heart.
Lamar,
In the United States, civilians salute the flag by placing their right hands over their hearts and saying the Pledge of Allegiance. (Men remove any headgear and hold it over their hearts, if applicable.)
Great question!
WHEN EVER THE FLAG PASSES IN A PROCESSION OR DURING THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE, CIVILIANS SHOULD REMOVE ALL NON RELIGIOUS HEADGEAR AND PLACE THEIR HAND OVER THEIR HEART WITH THE HEADGEAR AT THEIR LEFT SHOULDER. VETERANS SHOULD REMOVE ALL HEADGEAR ALSO BUT THEY TOO MAY USE THE MILITARY SALUTE TO SHOW RESPECT.
Congress passed some enactment that says, in a nutshell, that if you are a veteran, you may give the proper hand salute to the flag. All other citizens place their right hand over their heart. (and of course males remove hats. Present Arms!
Question: For those of us that hold that God is above all nations, including the United States does that mean we cannot fly a Christian flag above a US flag? How are we to interpret one nation UNDER God? As the comments on Texas above show exceptions are allowed.
Wayne,
Great question! According to Flag Code section 7c:
The Christian flag may fly above the US flag only “during church services conducted by naval chaplains at sea, when the church pennant may be flown above the flag during church services for the personnel of the Navy” (Flag Code, Section 7c).
For more information and a great article on this, check out : http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/faq.htm
I have a friend who inherited his late Father’s military burial flag. It is currently in a clear plastic triangular storage bag. For a gift I’ve been thinking of buying a proper flag case for it. My problem is, I don’t know what size the flag is and therefore don’t know what size case to buy. Lord knows I definitely don’t want to unfold it and destroy the tuck.
Can anyone give me an idea as to how to estimate the size? Maybe by measuring the size of the stars or something? Please feel free to send me any suggestions at my email address.
Hi Brian,
Since it’s a military burial flag, it’s surely 5′ x 9.5′. Here’s a link to the type of case you’ll need: http://www.united-states-flag.com/flcafor5ftx9.html
I hope this helps!
Tim
I HAVE QUESTION ABOUT ETIQUETTE OF THR POW/MIA FLAG. IN ME HOME TOWN A FEW PEOPLE DECIDED TO ERECT A MEMORIAL FOR A LOCAL FALLEN HERO. THEY BUILD THE MEMORIAL NEXT TO A BUILDING AND USED THE ROOF OF THE BUILDING AS PART OF THE MEMORIAL BY MOUNTING THE FLAGS FROM THE FACSIA OF THE BUILDING. THERE ARE SEVEN FLAGS ALL TOGETHER WITH THE US FLAG IN THE MIDDLE, WHICH IS CORRECT, BUT THE US FLAG TOUCHES THE MONUMENT AND ALSO THE ROOF OF THE BUILDING AND THE FLAGS ON EITHER SIDE. THE POW/MIA FLAG IS MOUNTED BELOW THE US FLAG BUT FLAT AGAINST THE WALL, NOT ON A POLE. I FEEL THE US FLAG SHOULD NOT TOUCH ANYTHING INCLUDING THE ROOF AND THE POW/MIA FLAG SHOULD ALSO BE ON A POLE LIKE THE REST OF THE FLAGS. THIS HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE PEOPLE INVOLVED WITH THE MEMORIAL AND STRANGERS HAVE EVEN GONE SO FAR AS TO TAKE THE US FLAG DOWN BUT THE NEXT DAY IT IS BUT RIGHT BACK UP. PLEASE E-MAIL ME YOUR COMMENTS. YOU MAY ALSO POST THEM. THANK YOU. DON
Hi Don,
I personally do not know of any rules concerning the POW/MIA flag. As for the American flag, I agree with you that it should not be touching anything.
I have a question about the display of the little flags frequently seen on veterans’ graves for Memorial Day – are there any particular rules for placement of the flags on the graves and guidelines as to when they are to be removed? So often I find flags on graves in remote cemeteries that have endured the ravages of storms and time. Many times the sticks are broken and the flags either lying on the ground or barely clinging to the stick and half on the ground in really sad shape. If I’m able to ‘re-hoist’ the flag on its stick, I do so, but this is seldom possible. I struggle with the question of whether I should remove the damaged flag, or whether it should be left for the family that placed it to tend to it. I would like to place recommendations on our cemetery preservation web site, since many of our web site visitors encounter similar situations and ask for our advice, but I want to post correct information. Do you have any advice for me? Thanks. Donna
Hi, Donna,
As far as I know, flags are not to be placed on graves more than one or two days before Memorial / Veterans Day, and should also be taken down within one to two days after the given holiday. I also know that no flag should ever be allowed to become soiled, torn, touch the ground, etc. If you find flags with broken sticks that are in sad shape, you should certainly remove them.
I hope that helped. Thanks for writing!
Tim
We wish to fly an American flag above our construction forms as we build the North Las Vegas City Hall project. Do we need to illuminate the flag at night or do we have to take it down before sundown. The heigth of the building will be 9 stories total but we are at the 5th level of concrete forms at this time (10-9-09)
Thanks,
Graham.
Hi, Graham,
Yes, you’ll need to illuminate the flag if you plan on leaving it up throughout the night.
Thanks for writing!
I have just received a flag from a co-worker whose son is serving in Afghanistan. The flag was flown on a mission and is certified and also came with a picture of the unit. Since this is not a memorial flag is it still proper to display the flag in the folded Triangle? It is 3 x 5ft nylon flag – I plan on getting a frame to display in the office with the certificate and picture but don’t want to offend anyone – all the frames that I can find are labeled “Memorial” – I do not want to jinx her or her son.
Hi I have several questions, should the American flag ever be placed(patch)facing backwards or upside down? What is the meaning behind the American flag being placed like this ? .I always thought the flag should be flown or shown with the stars to my left & stripes to the right ?
Hi Our Son is in the US NAVY We just bought our American Flag and outside pole with spot lights .I need to know is it OK to Fly the Navy Flag just under the American Flag but on the same pole and also can we leave the Navy Flag outside 24/7 as it would be under the spot light as well ? Oh and does the Navy flag have to be smaller than the American or can it be the same size just flown under the American ?
Thank You
Andi
Hey, Andi! Thanks for writing. Yes, it is acceptable to fly the Navy flag on the same pole as the American flag. Just make sure the Navy flag is below that of the the US. If you fly the Navy flag on a different pole, make sure the American flag is to its right. It is also alright to fly both flags at night as long as you have the proper lighting. There is no need for the Navy flag to be smaller than the American flag, but it must not be bigger.
My father passed away in Aug 08 the flag at buruiel was given to my mother…who recently passed away. There are Me the eldest and my Sister the younger. There are 4 grand daughters ages 21, 14, 7, 6 and one grand son who is 9 months. How is the flag to be passed thru the family? Thanks for your help! Terri
Hi, Terri, I don’t think there is any set way of passing it along, but rather you may choose who will have the honor of safekeeping it.
I ALWAYS THOUGHT THE OLDEST WOULD BE THE RIGHTFUL ONE TO HAVE THE MEMORIAL FLAG . I’M SORRY TO HEAR OF YOUR PARENTS PASSINGS .
My husband was given his father’s memorial flag. It is folded and currently wrapped in tissue. Is it ok to fly this flag on a pole again or should it remain folded and displayed in a case?
Hi, Jill,
As far as I know, there should be no problem with your husband flying his father’s memorial flag, as long as it’s done in accordance with the U.S. Flag Code.
I hope you all had a nice Memorial Day. Please take care!
Thanks,
Tim