If the flag is displayed from a staff projecting from a building, the union should be at the peak, unless flown at half mast. When flown from a halyard over a sidewalk from a building pole, the flag should be hoisted union first from the building.

The National Flag should be placed in the center, and higher, when displayed with a group of State, local or organizational flags from staffs.

If the flag is displayed flat on a speaker's platform, it should be placed behind and above the speaker with the union to his right.

The Pledge of Allegiance: “I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” This should be recited at attention with the right hand over the heart; military personnel should salute.

When the flag is displayed over the middle of the street, it should be suspended vertically with the union to the north in an east and west street or to the east in a north and south street.

When displayed from a staff in a church or public auditorium, the flag of the United States of America should hold the position of superior prominence, in advance of the audience, and in the position of honor at the clergyman's or speaker's right as he faces the audience. Any other flag so displayed should be placed to the left of the clergyman or speaker or to the right of the audience.

When displaying against a wall wil another flag, the U.S. flag will be on its right (the viewer's left) with its staff crossing over the staff of the other flag.

During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. Men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should render the military salute at the first note of the anthem and retain this position until the last note. When the flag is not displayed, those present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed there.

When flags of states, cities, or localities, or pennants of societies are flown on the same halyard with the flag of the United States, the latter should always be at the peak. When the flags are flown from adjacent staffs, the flag of the United States should be hoisted first and lowered last. No such flag or pennant may be placed above the National Flag or to its right.

When carried in a procession with other flags, the National Flag should be on the marching right. If there is a line of other flags, it should be front center of that line. The U.S. Flag should always be staffed when carried on a float.

When the flag covers a casket, the union should be at the head over the left shoulder. During burial, the flag must not touch the ground nor be lowered into the grave. To fly at half staff, the flag should be hoisted to the peak, then lowered. The opposite applies when lowering the flag from half staff.

When the flag is passing in parade, being hoisted or lowered, all present should face it, stand at attention and salute: Uniformed persons render the military salute; women and uncovered men place their right hands over their hearts. Men should remove their hats, holding them over their hearts with their right hands.

No flag or pennant will be flown above or to the right of the U.S. Flag at the same level, except the church pennant. This pennant may be flown above the flag during religious services at sea.

When flags of two or more nations are displayed, they should be the same size and flown from separate staffs. Customs forbids the flag of one nation to fly over another in peacetime.

Although the flag should be a distinctive feature at an unveiling of a statue or monument, it should never be used as the covering or veil.

Marks of Respect

The National Flag should be flown daily from sunrise to sunset in good weather from public buildings, schools, permanent staffs in the open and near polling places on election days. The flag should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement, except when an all weather flag is displayed. The flag may be displayed twenty-four hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.

The flag should always be flown on national and state holidays and on those occasions proclaimed by the President. On Memorial Day, the Ensign shall be half staffed until noon.

The flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously. It should never be dipped to any person or thing nor should it ever be displayed with the union down except as a signal of dire distress.
The flag should never be allowed to touch anything beneath it, nor should it ever be carried flat or horizontally-always aloft and free.

It should never be used as drapery or decoration, for carrying or holding anything, or stored in such a manner that it will be damaged or soiled.

The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever, nor should any picture, drawing, insignia or other decoration be placed upon or attached to the flag, its staff or halyard. The flag should not be embroidered on personal items nor printed on anything designed for temporary use and then discarded.

When the flag is so worn or soiled that it is no longer suitable for display, it should be destroyed in an dignified manner, preferably by burning.

NO DISRESPECT OF ANY KIND SHOULD BE SHOWN TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES. Based on Public Law 94-344; 94th Congress

Illustrations furnished through the courtesy of United States Navy Recruiting Command

1536-NC 10/00

back to top