AMVETS

FLAGETIQUETTE

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“OLD GLORY”“Old Glory, thisFlag which wehonor and under

which we serveis the emblem

of our unity,our power,

our thoughtsand purpose as

a nation. It has noother character than

that which we givefrom generation to

generation. The choice isours. It floats in majestic

silence above the hosts thatexecute those choices whether in

peace or war. And yet, though silent,it speaks to us—Speaks to us of the

past, of the men and women who wentbefore us, and of the records they wrote

upon it.”PRESIDENT WOODROW WILSON

To veterans throughout American history, theStars and Stripes has served as a symbol of theirservice and as a continuing testimony that theservice was worthwhile.

For more than 200 years “Old Glory” has flownover our country, through strife and peace, intragedy and triumph. Our flag is the symbol of anation comprised of people dedicated to freedomand independence.

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Pledge of Allegianceto the Flag

“I pledge allegianceto the Flag of the United Statesof America and to the Republicfor which it stands,One Nationunder God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.”

This wording of the pledge varies slightly from theoriginal, which was drawn up in 1892 in the office ofThe Youth’s Companion Magazine in Boston. It wasfirst used in the public schools in celebration of Columbus Day, 12 October 1892.

The pledge received official recognition by Congressin an Act approved 22 June 1942. The phrase “underGod” was added to the pledge by a Congressional Actof 14 June 1954.

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HOW TO DISPLAY YOUR FLAG

When displayed either horizontally or verticallyagainst a wall, the unionshould be uppermost and tothe flag’s own right, that is, tothe observer’s left.

When the flag is displayedfrom a staff projecting from awindow sill, balcony, or frontof a building, the unionshould be at the staff ’s peak.(unless that flag is to be displayed at half-staff).

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When displayed with anotherflag from crossed staffs, theNational flag should be on itsown right, with its staff infront of the staff of the otherflag.

When flags of States, cities,or localities, or pennants ofsocieties are flown on thesame halyard with the flag ofthe United States, the lattershould always be at the peak.

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WHEN TO DISPLNew Year’s Day(January 1)Inauguration Day(January 20)Martin Luther King, Jr.’sBirthday(Third Monday in January)

★ Lincoln’s Birthday(February 12)

★ Washington’s Birthday(Third Monday in February)Mother’s Day(Second Sunday in May)

★ Armed Forces Day(Third Saturday in May)

★ Memorial Day(Last Monday in May)

★ Flag Day(June 14)

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PLAY YOUR FLAGFather’s Day(Third Sunday in June)

★ Independence Day(July 4)

★ Labor Day(First Monday in September)Citizenship Dayformerly constitution Day(September 17)Columbus Day(Second Monday in October)Election Day(Second Tuesday in November)

★ Veteran’s Day(November 11)

★ Pearl Harbor Day(December 7)State and Local Holidays

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When displayed from a staffin a church, public audi-torium or convention hall,the U.S. flag should hold theposition of superior promi-nence; in advance of theaudience and in the positionof honor at the speaker’s orclergyman’s right as he facesthe audience. Any other flagdisplayed should be placedon the left. The U.S. flag isalways on the speaker’s rightwhether it is placed on a platform or whether it isplaced at floor level.

If displayed flat against thewall on a speaker’s platform,the U.S. flag should beplaced above and behind thespeaker with the union of theflag in the upper left-handcorner as the audience facesthe flag.

DISPLAY YOUR FLAG PROUDLY

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When displayed at half-staff,the flag is first raised to thepeak and then lowered to thehalf-staff position. Whenbeing lowered for the day itshould first be raised to thepeak.

The flag, when carried in a procession withanother flag or flags, should be either on themarching right; that is, the flag’s own right, or,if there is a line of other flags, in front of thecenter of that line.

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SOME HELPFUL HINTSImportant Things To Do

★ It is the universal custom to display the national flag only fromsunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in theopen. It should not be displayed on days when the weather isinclement unless constructed of all weather materials. The U.S.flag may be displayed at night when it is desired to produce apatriotic effect, and when proper illumination is provided.

★ Display the U.S. flag on all days that the weather permits butespecially on national and state holidays and other days that maybe proclaimed by the President of the United States. On MemorialDay, the U.S. flag should be half-staffed until noon.

★ The U.S. flag should be displayed on or near the main building ofevery public institution, during school days in or near everyschoolhouse, and in or near every polling place on election days.

★ Always hoist the U.S. flag briskly. Lower it ceremoniously.

★ When it is to be flown at half-staff, the flag is first raised to thepeak and then lowered to the half-staff position. When being lowered for the day it should first be raised to the peak.

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★ Never in any way should any disrespect be shown the U.S. flag.

★ The U.S. flag should never be dipped to any person or thing.Regimental colors, State flags, and organization or institutionalflags are dipped as a mark of honor.

★ The U.S. flag should never be displayed with the union downexcept as a signal of dire distress.

★ The U.S. flag should never touch anything beneath it—ground,floor, water, or merchandise.

★ The U.S. flag should never be carried horizontally, but alwaysaloft and free.

★ Always allow the U.S. flag to fall free—never use the U.S. flag asdrapery, festooned, drawn back or up in folds. For draping platforms and decoration in general, use blue, white and redbunting. Always arrange the bunting with blue above, the whitein the middle and the red below.

★ The U.S. flag should never be fastened, displayed, used or storedin a manner which will permit it to be easily torn, soiled or damaged in any way.

★ Never use the U.S. flag as a covering or drape for a ceiling.

★ Never place anything on the U.S. flag. The U.S. flag should neverhave placed upon it or any part of it, or attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture or drawing ofany nature.

★ Never use the U.S. flag for receiving, holding, carrying or delivering anything.

★ The U.S. flag should not be embroidered on such articles ascushions, handkerchiefs, and the like, printed or otherwiseimpressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that isdesigned for temporary use and discard; or used as any portionof a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may beaffixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemenand members of patriotic organizations. Advertising signs shouldnot be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown.

★ When the U.S. flag is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, it should be destroyed in a dignifiedway, preferably by burning, privately.

Things Not To Do

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