Do you know that there’s an etiquette to displaying the American flag? As you prepare for summer season and all of the patriotic holidays, be sure you know find out how to correctly honor and look after the American flag and all it stands for. We outlined it some flag etiquette suggestions in right this moment’s submit.
AMERICAN FLAG ETIQUETTE DO’S
Show the flag from dawn to sundown on buildings and stationary flagstaffs within the open. Should you want to show a flag at night time, guarantee it’s lit correctly in order that it’s illuminated and may be seen at the hours of darkness.
Make sure the flag is at all times “aloft and free,” in keeping with U.S. flag etiquette code. So, as tempting as it might be to hold the flag horizontally like we see at soccer video games or parades, that is really flawed!
Fly the U.S. flag larger and above all different flags (i.e. the Texas state flag). The one exception is the flags of different nations — these may be flown on the similar top however by no means on the identical flag employees or pole.
Show the flag on the observers’ left when in a line of flags — so when somebody is wanting on the flag, it’s at all times to the left (AKA the primary one an observer would see if wanting Left to Proper). The identical rule applies to displaying a flag in your automotive!
At all times show a flag the place the union (AKA the blue discipline of stars) is uppermost and to the flag’s personal proper (once more to the observer’s left).
Take down any flags you might have displayed, whether or not at house or your place of job, if it rains.
Salute the flag by dealing with it, standing at consideration together with your proper hand over your coronary heart, and eradicating your hat. You could maintain your hat in your hand and place it in opposition to your left shoulder.
Retailer all U.S. flags by folding within the conventional triangle — by no means wadded up.
AMERICAN FLAG ETIQUETTE DON’TS
Don’t use the flag as clothes — this consists of t-shirts, swimsuits, hats, and all the opposite clothes gadgets we see at so many retailers. That is really in opposition to U.S. flag etiquette code!
Don’t use the flag as a serviette — even these cute paper napkins on your Fourth of July BBQ. The code is kind of strict about utilizing the flag (or any illustration of it) to wipe your mouth with mustard!
Don’t fly the flag at half-mast until it’s ordered by the president or your state’s governor, within the occasion of a nationwide tragedy, or on a nationwide day of remembrance (i.e. Memorial Day).
Don’t throw away a U.S. flag. Sure, even the mini flags you buy from Goal! Both retailer them correctly, wash them if soiled, or correctly get rid of them by burning (at all times verify metropolis codes) or burying.
Don’t change the union stars with one other picture.
Don’t ask celebrities or buddies to signal your flag. And don’t draw on it.
Don’t let the flag contact the bottom, and don’t carry it flat. Additionally, don’t use it as a canopy for something.
Don’t use the flag for adornment. An incredible different is patriotic bunting! Simply make sure the blue is on prime, then white, then pink.
You may study extra on our authorities’s website, together with historical past and the that means of the flag’s colours. This could be an exquisite factor to show your youngsters forward of Independence Day!
Sources: Division of Protection, Division of Veterans Affairs
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