Posted on 09/17/2001 6:05:43 PM PDT by CoolH2OH
How to display the flag
Mandy Yost
Scripps Howard News Service
Published Sep 18 2001
The terrorist attacks on the Pentagon and World Trade Center have sparked a wave of patriotism that has seen more and more Americans displaying flags of all sizes in windows, outside homes, on automobile antennas and flying at half-staff from flagpoles.
However, many people are unfamiliar with the U.S. code for proper U.S. flag display. Here are some pointers to remember from the U.S. code.
- Old Glory is normally flown from sunrise to sunset, but may be flown after dark if it is properly illuminated. It should never touch the ground and no flag should be placed above or to the right of the U.S. flag at the same height. When surrounded by flags of states or localities, the American flag should be at the center and highest point of the group.
- When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the blue field should be uppermost and to the flag's right - the observer's left. The same applies when hanging the flag in a window: the blue should be to the left of the observer in the street.
- The American flag should be flown at half-staff when the entire nation is in mourning. The president or other government officials may order flags to be flown at half-staff.
When the U.S. flag flies at half-staff, it should be first raised to the top of the flagpole for a moment and then lowered to the half-staff position. It is raised again before being lowered for the day. Other flags flying adjacent to Old Glory also must be flown at half-staff or taken down.
A black streamer should be attached to the top of the pole if the American flag cannot be displayed at half-staff, such as those flying on short poles jutting from houses or porches. A black bow should be affixed to the fastening points of U.S. flags hung on walls or windows.
if i'm wrong, please post correct info. going from memory (what's left of it).
I've seen just about every inappropriate way imagineable in displaying the flag. At first I started getting a little hot under the collar about it until my dear wife reminded me that up until a few days before, there were very few flags on display, and that I should be happy that so many people were trying.
Now we drive through, and sometimes I have to surpress a groan, but to me just about everyone of this inproperly displayed flags is beautiful.
Question: with regard to other flags not being placed to the right - is that the flag's right or the observers right?
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