The flag for any country is a source of pride and inspiration for the people. It deserves a certain amount of respect. The Flag Code is a guideline for proper flag etiquette. There are no real penalties for disregarding the Flag Code; it is all a matter of respect.
The following flag etiquette guidelines are common to most countries, however, some are only applicable to the United States:
- An upside down flag is a distress signal. -
No flag should ever touch the ground.
-The
United States flag should never be dipped to any person or thing.
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No flag should be allowed to be torn, soiled or otherwise damaged in any way.
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No marks such as logos, insignias, letters, words, designs, or figures should
be attached to the flag.
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The United States flag should never be used to carry or hold anything.
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Never use the United States flag for advertising. The image of the flag should
not appear on boxes, paper napkins, plates, or anything made to be discarded.
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Do not use the United States flag for clothing or as a costume.-
A country’s flag, when hoisted with other flags, should always be hoisted first
and taken down last.
-
Multiple flags consisting of various nations should always fly at the same
level during a time of peace.
Did you know that it is against the Flag Code to wear the flag on an article of clothing or to print its image on anything disposable, such as paper plates, napkins and other picnic decorations?
Did you know that it is against the Flag Code to wear the flag on an article of clothing or to print its image on anything disposable, such as paper plates, napkins and other picnic decorations?
One common myth is that the flag should be destroyed if it touches the ground. While you should avoid having the flag touch the ground at any time, there is no reason to destroy it. Instead, clean it as soon as possible by hand and let it dry before hanging it up for display again. If your flag needs to be retired, it should be disposed of in a dignified manner with all due respect. Section 8k of the Flag Code states: “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.”
Some
people like to display flags 24 hours a day, year round. The American flag can
be flown every day. Flag etiquette states that the flag should be properly
illuminated at night and taken in during foul weather.
It is recommended that the flag fly from sunrise to sunset during the following holidays:
- New Year’s Day , Inauguration Day- Martin Luther King, Jr’s Birthday, Lincoln’s Birthday
It is recommended that the flag fly from sunrise to sunset during the following holidays:
- New Year’s Day , Inauguration Day- Martin Luther King, Jr’s Birthday, Lincoln’s Birthday
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Washington’s Birthday, Easter Sunday, Mother’s Day, Armed Forces Day
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Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Patriot’s Day, Constitution
Day
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Columbus Day, Navy Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day
The proper way to hoist a flag to half-mast is to draw it all the way to the top of the pole and then lower it to half-mast. The length of time a United States flag is flown at half mast depends on the importance of the event or the deceased government official being honored. Anywhere from one day to 30 days is appropriate. The president of the United States assigns a period of mourning. The flag is flown at half-mast until noon on Memorial Day.
Other days that the president of the United States proclaims that the flag be flown at half-staff include:
-May 15th (Peace Officers Memorial Day)
-September 11th (Patriot Day)
-December 7th (National Pearl Harbor Remembrance
Day)
Although the Flag Code is violated in many different ways each day, what it
comes down to is the intent behind the way the flag is being used. It’s all
about R-E-S-P-E-C-T.
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