Proper Flag Etiquette

Dawn Watkins

The outpouring of patriotism following the disasters on September 11, 2001, brought forth millions of American flags. Displaying the flag is important, but displaying it correctly is equally important.

When to Fly the Flag

1. During daylight hours and only in good weather
2. At night only if the flag is totally lighted

How to Hoist a Flag

1. Run the flag up briskly and smoothly. Lower it ceremoniously.
2. When flying half-mast, the flag should be raised briskly to the peak and then lowered to half-mast with dignity. When the flag is taken down, it must be raised to the peak again and then lowered for the day. (On Memorial Day, flags are at half-mast until noon and then at full-mast for the rest of the day.)
3. Half-mast means that the bottom of the flag is at the middle of the staff, halfway between the ground and the peak of the pole. United States flags fly at half-mast by the order of the president of the United States or, in some cases, a state governor.

How to Display a Flag

1. If a flag is not flown from a staff, it can be displayed either horizontally or vertically on a wall or building face, the canton (star field) to the viewer's left.
2. If displayed in a window, the same rule applies.
3. If displayed from a staff in a church, school or other public auditorium, the flag must be at the front of the audience, to the right of the speaker. Any other flag is to his left.
4. The flag should not be carried horizontally by its corners or in a frame nor attached to a pole along its top. The flag should be always aloft and free.
5. When displayed on a vehicle, the flag must be fixed firmly to the right side (passenger side), on the antennae, chassis, or fender.
6. When displayed across a corridor in a building with one main door, the canton should be to the observer's left as he enters.
7. No other flag should ever be displayed above or to the right of the American flag. When flown with other flags, the U. S. flag must be hoisted first and lowered last.

How to Respect the Flag

1. No part of the American flag must ever touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, architecture, water, or objects.
2. Neither the flag nor any part of the flag should be used as clothing or drapery. Bunting should be used to decorate podiums, always with the blue on top, white in the middle, and red on the bottom.
3. A flag pin, a replica of the true flag, should be worn on the left lapel.
4. A flag no longer fit for service should be destroyed with dignity. Contact a local American Legion.

Reprinted from Teacher to Teacher, Volume 5, Issue 4.

Used with permission from BJU Press. For permission to reproduce this article, please write BJU Press.