Rules for displaying the American Flag
The 1928 D, and me, after the Independance Day Parade, 2001.


I found a listing of some of the various rules for displaying the American Flag in our local newspaper; The Wellington Enterprise, which got them from the Flag Code-a national guideline on ways the flag is to be displayed, handled, and honored. Most of the below info is from that newspaper.

If you are like me, you may have heard of some, but not all of these rules. This should help everyone give their flag the respect it deserves:

• No disrepect should be shown to the flag.
• The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing.
• The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery.
• The flag should never be used as a covering for a ceiling.
• 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, word or other designs of any kind placed on it.
• The flag should never be used for advertising purposes, and advertising signs should not be fastened to a flag's staff or halyard.
• The flag 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.
• No part of the flag should be used as an element of a costume or athletic uniform. A flag patch may be worn on the uniform of certain organizations.
• During a time of national mourning, the flag can be flown at half staff be order of proclimation of the President of the United States. Specific instructions for this period of time include hoisting the flag to the peak position for an instant, and then lowering it to half staff for the day. At retreat, the flag should be raised to peak position for an instant before lowering it.
• The flag should not be allowed to touch the ground.
• When placed over a casket the stars of the flag are to be at the head and over the left shoulder. The flag should never be lowered into the grave or allowed to touch the ground.
• If displaying the flag vertically, the stars should be in the left hand corner, when viewed from afar.
• The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.

This is actually just a small listing of the various rules for the flag. To see a complete listing of about anything you would want to know, go to: http://www.usflag.org

The official document, with listing of rules is UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 36, CHAPTER 10.


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