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Today, June 14th is flag day for us Americans, but surprisingly few know the right way to display the American flag! If you are planning on flying the flag today or any other day, you should know some American flag etiquette and rules surrounding its display. The flag should be flown with respect and honor to the United States of America and those who have and are defending it. Here are some things to remember:
- Union up! The union is the blue rectangular part of the flag and should always be flown with it up or in the top upper-left corner. If you fly your flag upside down it is considered a distress signal.
- If you are going to display the flag crossed with another flag, it should be on the flag’s right, or your left as you view it, with the staff in front of the other flag.
- Similarly if you are going to display the flag on a stage or podium, it should be stage-right on the right of the podium with any other flags on stage-left.
- The American flag should always be raised first and lowered last, so if you are going to fly it with another non-nation flag on the same halyard it should be on top or at the peak.
- If there is a group of flags together from other countries, they should all have their own staff and be flown at the same height. If the group is of state or other local flags on their own staffs, the American flag should be at the highest point of the group in the center.
- If the American flag is being carryed in a parade, it should always be carried on the marching right, or at the front and center of a line of other flags.
- If a prominent person dies, the President of the United States will order all flags to be flown at half-mast or half-staff. To do this you should first raise the flag all the way to the peak and then down half-way. Also when you lower the flag, first raise it to the peak briefly.
- If your flag becomes worn out it needs to be disposed of properly. To do this you need to properly fold it and ceremoniously burn it. You can also always give it to any VFW, American Legion or government office for proper disposal.
Now that you know how to properly display your American flag, fly it with pride this Flag Day!
