American Flag Etiquette at Home

The American Flag is a symbol of respect, honor, and patriotism!

Today, June 14th, 2019, is Flag Day!! In the United States, it is celebrated to commemorate the adoption of the flag of the United States on June 14, 1777!! So what better day to put our American Flags out to wave proudly to celebrate!! Make sure you know your American Flag Etiquette though!! I bought a flag for our home just yesterday when I bought a few decorations for the 4th of July! Perfect timing, for Flag Day today!! I will admit though, I didn’t know a few of these!! I looked this all up because my Husband mentioned having to bring our Flag in at night! Don’t make fun of me, but I didn’t know that was a thing!!

Did you know, “On June 22, 1942, Congress passed a joint resolution, later amended on December 22, 1942, that encompassed what has come to be known as the U.S. Flag Code.” – almanac

These are Etiquette Rules for at home! There are a long list of other rules for a place of Business, Parades, and more!! Let’s start it off about the Night Time Rule!!

The flag should be flown from Sunrise to Sunset, however, if it is flown at night, it needs to be lit up with a spot light to give it a patriotic feel!
The flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.
When the flag is hung either horizontally or vertically on a wall, window, or door, the Union (blue section) should be to the observer’s left. It should lay flat or so suspended that its folds fall as freely as though the flag were staffed
- Don’t fasten it or tie it back. Always allow it to fall free.
Don’t fly in inclement weather.
When flown at half-staff, the flag should be first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to half-staff position. It should again be raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day. Half-staff is one-half the distance between the top and bottom of the staff.
- The flag must be flown at half-staff on all buildings on the death of any officer.
- On Memorial Day the flag should be flown at half-staff from sunrise until noon only, then raised briskly to the top of the staff until sunset, in honor of the nation’s battle heroes.
- An easy way to remember when to fly the United States flag at half-staff is to consider when the whole nation is in mourning. These periods of mourning are proclaimed either by the president of the United States, for national remembrance.
Don’t draw, mark, or embroider the flag.
In the United States, no other flag should be placed above the American flag or, if they are to be placed on the same level, to the right of the American flag. If multiple flags are displayed, the American flag should be front, center, and the highest.
- When flags of two or more nations are displayed, they are to be flown from separate staffs of the same height, and the American flag should be hoisted first and lowered last.
The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored so that it might be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way.
Don’t use the flag as clothing.
The flag should never have anything placed on top of it.
When the flag is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem, it should be destroyed in a dignified and ceremonious fashion, preferably by burning.
- If your flag has a tear, you are able to repair the tear and continue flying it.
The flag should never be used as a covering for the ceiling.
The flag should never be displayed with the union (stars) down. That is used as a signal of dire distress.
The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, or water.