U.S. Flag Code – displaying the flag
Manners are about doing the good thing, the right thing and the honorable thing. I’d like to dedicate this month’s column to all the men and women who have served honorably in our U.S. military. Veterans Day will be observed on Wednesday, November 11. I’d like to encourage our citizens to raise their U.S. flag in salute to all those who have served this country in war or peace and to thank the living veterans for their sacrifices.
Let’s do a quick refresh around the U.S. Flag Code and some of the do’s and don’ts for display, storage and disposal. For the full list visit, https://www.military.com/flag-day/us-flag-code.html.
DO the following:
When displaying the flag, do so from sunrise to sunset on buildings and stationary flagstaffs in the open. The flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness. Place the U.S. flag above all other flags. On special days, the flag may be flown at half-staff. When placed on a podium, the flag should be placed on the speaker’s right of the staging area.
When saluting the flag, all persons present in uniform should render the military salute. Members of the armed forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform, may render the military salute. All others present should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over their heart and remove any headdress.
When stowing or disposing of the flag, fold in the traditional triangle for stowage, never wadded up. Many state and county government offices and Veterans of Foreign Wars posts have flag disposal boxes outside of the buildings. Police stations also collect them. Various organizations such as the American Legion, VFWs and the Girl and Boy Scouts of America collect the flags and hold flag retirement ceremonies.
DO NOT do the following:
Don’t let the flag touch the ground.
Don’t fly the flag upside down unless there is an emergency.
Don’t carry the flag flat, or carry things on it or in it.
Don’t use the flag as clothing.
Don’t store the flag where it can get dirty or wet.
Don’t fasten it or tie it back. Always allow it to fall free.
