Hello Neighbors,
My wife and I are both U.S. Army veterans and have noticed a wide range of displays of the United States of American flag in the neighborhood. Some displays are in accordance with proper flag etiquette and others are not. Everyone is free to do as they please, but for those interested in the proper etiquette, we thought we'd share a few of the key points:
On same staff: U.S. flag displayed at peak, above any other flag.
Grouped flags: U.S. flag goes to its own right; flags of other nations are flown at same height.
Illumination: it is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed twenty-four hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.
Half staff: on special days, the flag may be flown at half-staff. On Memorial Day it is flown at half-staff until noon and then raised.
Never use the flag for decoration. Use bunting with the blue on top, then white, then red.
Do not let the flag touch the ground.
Do not fly flag upside down unless there is an emergency.
Do not carry the flag flat, or carry things in it.
Do not use the flag as clothing.
Do not store the flag where it can get dirty.
Do not use it as a cover.
Do not fasten it or tie it back. Always allow it to fall free.
Do not draw on, or otherwise mark the flag
Flag disposal: Please contact your local VFW Post or the WHCA for additional information [note: WHCA can feel free to forward to us and we're happy to assist with proper flag disposal]
Sources:
https://www.vfw.org/community/flag-etiquette
https://www.va.gov/opa/publications/celebrate/flagdisplay.pdf
- Clayton Mealer, Woodland Heights Resident
