American
Flag Etiquette On 9/11
September
11th has been designated as Patriot Day by United States Public
Law#107-89. This law amended Title 36 of the United States Code
(also, Known as The Flag Code). State and local governments and the
people of the United States have been called upon to observe Patriot
day with appropriate programs and activities. Further the law
requests that individuals observe a moment of silence in memory of
the victims.
Current
custom indicates that the flag is "in mourning" when it is
at half-staff. When a flag is flown at half-staff, it should first be
raised to the top of the pole and then lowered to half-staff. For a
flag in a bracket on the front of a house or building, it is not
possible to lower the flag to half-staff. Therefore, a tradition of
using black ribbons as a sign of mourning can be used.
It
is important to note that when the United States flag is flown at
half-staff, no other flag can be flown at full-staff. It is
disrespectful to fly any flag higher than the U.S. Flag at any time.
For
Boaters: Ensign
Boats
should fly the National Flag. Most pleasure boats in US waters have a
choice of 2.
The
yacht ensign, with its fouled anchor over a circle of 13 stars, the
"Betsy Ross" flag. Originally restricted to documented
vessels only, it is now commonly flown on recreational boats of all
types and sizes instead of the National Flag (see picture).
The
50-star flag "Old Glory" you are familiar with.
The
appropriate time to fly the ensign is from sunrise to sunset, except
when racing. However, whenever a boat is taken into international or
foreign waters, the 50-star U.S. ensign is the proper flag to fly and
the yacht ensign cannot to be displayed. In other words, if you own a
US boat in the British Virgin Islands, you should not fly the Ensign,
but the National Flag.
Boats
today fly the ensign from the stern, which provides the best
visibility, but it can also be flown from the leech of the most
aftersail. When flown from the stern, it should be on a staff (pole)
that is sufficiently long and angled, and that is offset to one side
(traditionally the starboard side), so the flag flies clear of engine
exhaust and rigging.
More
on Flag etiquette:
Federal
law stipulates many aspects of flag etiquette. The section of law
dealing with American Flag etiquette is generally referred to as the
Flag Code. Some general guidelines from the Flag Code answer many of
the most common questions:
The
flag should be lighted at all times, either by sunlight or by an
appropriate light source.
The
flag should be flown in fair weather, unless the flag is designed for
inclement weather use.
The
flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown
upside down only as a distress signal.
The
flag should not be used for any decoration in general. Bunting of
blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue
stripe of the bunting should be on the top.
The
flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not
be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as
cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be
discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs should not be
attached to the staff or halyard.
The
flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform,
except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military
personnel, fireman, policeman and members of patriotic organizations.
The
flag should never have any mark, insignia, letter, word, number,
figure, or drawing of any kind placed on it, or attached to it.
The
flag should never be used for receiving, holding, carrying, or
delivering anything.
When
the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any
other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms. To
store the flag it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.
The
flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary.
When
a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our
country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.
Protocol
and Display
As
with all flags, the national flag should be raised and lowered by
hand. Do not raise the flag while it is furled. Unfurl, then hoist
quickly to the top of the staff. Lower it slowly and with dignity.
Place no object on or cover the flag. Do not use the flag to cover a
speaker's table.
Render
your flag the respect it is entitled by observing the following
rules:
When
displayed over the middle of the street, the flag should be suspended
vertically with the union (blue field) to the north in an east and
west street, or to the east in a north and south street.
Flag
Rule image 1
When
displayed with another flag from crossed staffs, the flag of the
United States should be on the right (the flag's own right, the
observer's left) and its staff should be in front of the staff of the
other flag. See Rule 10 relative to displaying three or more flags
under these conditions.
flag
rule image 2
When
it is flown at half-mast, the flag should be hoisted to the peak for
an instant, then lowered to the half-mast position. Before lowering
the flag for the day, it should again be raised to the peak, then
lowered. Half-mast is one-half the distance between the top and the
bottom of the staff. On Memorial Day, display the flag at half-mast
until noon, then hoist to the top of the staff.
flag
rule image 3
When
flags of states, cities, or pennants of societies are flown on the
same halyard with the flag of the United States of America, the U.S.
flag should always be at the peak. When flown from adjacent staffs,
the national flag should be hoisted first and lowered last.
flag
rule image 4
When
the flag is suspended over a sidewalk from a rope extending from
house to pole at the edge of the sidewalk, the flag should be hoisted
out from the building, toward the pole, union (blue field) first.
flag
rule image 5
When
the flag is displayed from a staff projecting horizontally or at any
angle from the window sill, balcony, or front of a building, the
union (blue field) of the flag should go to the peak of the staff
(unless the flag is to be displayed at half-mast).
flag
rule image 6
When
the flag is used to cover a casket, it should be placed so that the
union (blue field) is at the head and over the left shoulder. The
flag should not be lowered into the grave or allowed to touch the
ground.
flag
rule image 7
When
the flag is displayed in a manner other than being flown from a
staff, it should be displayed flat, whether indoors or out. When
displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union
(blue field) should be upper-most and to the observer's left. When
displayed in a window, it should be displayed in the same way, that
is, with the union to the left of the observer in the street. When
festoons, rosettes, or drapings are desired, bunting of blue, white,
and red should be used, but never the flag.
flag
rule image 8
When
carried in a procession with another flag or flags, the national flag
should be either on the marching right, or when there is a line of
other flags, in front of the center of that line. For rules governing
the position of other flags, see Flags of Nations and State of
Florida Flag.
flag
rule image 9
When
a number of flags of states or cities or pennants of societies are
grouped and displayed from staffs with the national flag, the latter
should be at the center or at the highest point of the group. For
rules governing the position of other flags, see Flags of Nations and
State of Florida Flag.
flag
rule image 10
When
on a staff, the position of the flag is determined by the speaker,
who displays it on his right (observer's left), whether he is on a
platform or the same level as the audience. For rules governing the
position of other flags, see Flags of Nations and State of Florida
Flag.
flag
rule image 11
When
displayed on an automobile, the national flag always commands the
honor position, i.e, highest elevation, which is always the honor
point regardless of its relative position from right to left. If all
flags are on the same elevation, then the honor point is the
right-hand position, considered to be the flag's own right as to the
directional facing. If mounted on the front fenders, the national
flag would fly freely on the right-hand fender as you sit in the
driver's seat. Other flags may be displayed from a multiple holder on
the left-hand front fender or on the right-hand front fender with the
national flag on the driver's left. For rules governing the position
of other flags, see Flags of Nations and State of Florida Flag.
flag
rule image 12
Remembering
all who perished on 9/11
