Flag Etiquette for Flag Day

June 12, 2015 - Posted By mjones

Happy Flag Day ! Did you know there is certain flag etiquette for the care and handling of the American Flag? This year when you raise your flag in honor of Flag Day, remember to cover these basic practices:

• The flag is normally flown from sunrise to sunset.
• In the morning, raise the flag briskly. At sunset, lower it slowly. Always, raise and lower it ceremoniously.
• The flag should not be flown at night without a light on it.
• The flag should not be flown in the rain or inclement weather.
• After a tragedy or death, the flag is flown at half staff for 30 days. It’s  called “half staff” on land ,and “half mast” on a ship.
• When flown vertically on a pole, the stars and blue field , or “union”, is at the top and at the end of the pole (away from your house).
• The American flag is always flown at the top of the pole. Your state flag and other flags fly below it.
• The union is always on top. When displayed in print, the stars and blue field are always on the left.
• Never let your flag touch the ground, never…period.
• Fold your flag when storing. Don’t just stuff it in a drawer or box.
•  When your flag is old and has seen  better days, it is time to retire it. Old flags should be burned or buried. Please do not throw it in the trash.

As a symbol of our nation’s unity and independence, Flag Day is an important holiday for Americans to honor the adoption of the American flag and its makers. Raise your flag and commemorate this important day!