Carrot Top

Displaying the US Flag - a basic guide

It is customary to display the U.S. flag from sunrise to sunset each day, as weather permits. When properly illuminated, a flag can be flown twenty-four hours a day. In geographic areas subject to severe weather, it is best to use an all-weather flag.

When displaying your flag, there are some important things to keep in mind:

You should always:

• Raise the flag briskly and lower it ceremoniously.
• When flying a flag half-staff, you should raise it to the flagpole peak for an instant, then lower it to the half-staff point.
• Display the flag on or near the main building of every public institution, school and polling place.
• When it is no longer fit for display, you should dispose of your U.S. flag properly, preferably by burning it in a private ceremony.

You should never:

• Show disrespect to the U.S. flag.
• Dip the U.S. flag to any person or thing, or let it touch the ground.
• Display the flag with the Union down, except as a signal of dire distress.
• Display another flag or pennant above or at the same level as the U.S. flag. The only exception to this rule is when a church pennant is flown.
• The U. S. flag should never have placed upon it, or on any part of it, or attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture or drawing of any nature.

Visit the US Government website to learn more about the U.S. Flag Code.