How to Properly Display the American Flag

The flag of the United States is much more than just a red, white, and blue cloth.
As the symbol of America, it stands for the past, present, and future of our country.
It represents our people, our land, and our many ways of life.

Traditional guidelines call for displaying the flag in public only from sunrise to sunset. However, the flag may be displayed at all times if it’s illuminated during darkness. The flag should not be subject to weather damage, so it should not be displayed during rain, snow and wind storms unless it is an all-weather flag.

It should be displayed often, but especially on national and state holidays and special occasions.
See the column at the right for six ways to display the American flag correctly.

1. When carried in procession with other flags, the U.S. flag should be either on the marching right (the flag’s right) or to the front and center of the flag line. When displayed on a float in a parade, the flag should be hung from a staff or suspended so it falls free. It should not be draped over a vehicle.
2. When displayed with another flag against a wall from crossed staffs, the U.S. flag should be on its own right (left to a person facing the wall) and its staff should be in front of the other flag’s staff.
3. In a group of flags displayed from staffs, the U.S. flag should be at the center and the highest point.
4. When the U.S. flag is displayed other than from a staff, it should be displayed flat, or suspended so that its folds fall free. When displayed over a street, place the union so it faces north or east, depending upon the direction of the street.
5. When the U.S. flag is displayed from as projecting from a building, the union of the flag should be placed at the peak unless the flag is at half-staff. When suspended from a rope extending from the building on a pole, the flag should be hoisted out, union first from the building.
6. When flags of states, cities or organizations are flown on the same staff, the U.S. flag must be at the top (except during church services conducted at sea by Navy chaplains).When the flag is worn out or otherwise no longer a fitting emblem for display, it should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning. If you have a flag that is worn out, you may drop it off at the Crosspointe Community Center and Boy Scout Troop 994 will retire it for you.

   – Provided by Ethan Maso