PROPER FLAG DISPLAY RULES
What Size Flag Do I Choose?
| POLE SIZE |
FLAG SIZE |
 |
POLE SIZE |
FLAG SIZE |
| 15' |
3'X 5' |
|
50' |
8'X 12' |
| 20' |
3'X 5' |
|
60' |
10'X 15' |
| 25' |
4'X 6' |
|
65' |
10'X 15' |
| 30' |
5'X 8' |
|
70' |
12'X 18' |
| 35' |
5'X 8' |
|
80' |
12'X 18' |
| 40' |
6'X 10' |
|
90' |
15'X 25' |
| 45' |
6'X 10' |
|
100' |
15'X 25' |
WEAR OF THE AMERICAN FLAG PATCH.
- The US Code states "no part of the flag should ever be used as a
costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to
the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members
of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is
itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a
replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart."
-The US Code does not address the positioning of the flag patch.
It is appropriate to wear an American flag patch on the left or right
sleeve. When worn on the left sleeve, the union would appear towards
the front and the stripes would run horizontally toward the back.
When worn on the right sleeve, it is considered proper to reverse the
design so that the union is at the observer’s right to suggest that
the flag is flying in the breeze as the wearer moves forward.
- Since the law does not specifically address the positioning of the patch, a decision is left to the discretion of the organization prescribing the wear. As many states and cities have ordinances pertaining to the use of the flag, you may wish to contact the Attorney General of your state or the City Attorney’s office regarding this matter.
WEAR OF THE FLAG PATCH BY ARMY PERSONNEL.
HQDA policy is that during joint or multi-nation operations,
soldiers are authorized to wear the full-color U.S. flag cloth replica
(approximately 2"x3") on utility and organizational uniforms.
Wear of the cloth replica is at the discretion of the organizational
commander.
Soldiers are not authorized to wear the full-color
replica upon their return to home station.
The DA policy states that when the patch is authorized for wear,
it should be sewn one half inch below the right shoulder seam.
If a right shoulder sleeve insignia for former wartime service is worn,
the flag patch will be placed one eighth inch below the right
shoulder sleeve insignia.
The cloth replica is worn so that the star
field faces forward or to the flag’s own right.
When worn on the
right sleeve, it is considered proper to reverse the design so that
the union is at the observer’s right to suggest that the flag is
flying in the breeze as the wearer moves forward.
When to Display the Flag
The flag should be displayed on all days, especially on
New Year's Day, January 1
Inauguration Day, January 20
Lincoln's Birthday, February 12
Washington's Birthday, third Monday in February
Easter Sunday (variable)
Mother's Day, second Sunday in May
Armed Forces Day, third Saturday in May
Memorial Day (half-staff until noon), the last Monday in May
Flag Day, June 14
Independence Day, July 4
Labor Day, first Monday in September
Patriot Day, September 11
Constitution Day, September 17
Columbus Day, second Monday in October
Navy Day, October 27
Veterans Day, November 11
Thanksgiving Day, fourth Thursday in November
Christmas Day, December 25
and such other days as may be proclaimed by the President of the
United States
the birthdays of States (date of admission)
and on State holidays.
The flag should be displayed daily on or near the main administration
building of every public institution.
The flag should be displayed in or near every polling place on election
days.
The flag should be displayed during school days in or near every
schoolhouse.
How to Display the Flag
1. When the flag is displayed over the middle of the street, it should
be suspended vertically with the union to the north in an east and
west street or to the east in a north and south street.
2. The flag of the United States of America, when it is displayed with
another flag against a wall from crossed staffs, should be on the right,
the flag's own right [that means the viewer's left], and its staff
should be in front of the staff of the other flag.
3. The flag, when flown at half-staff, should be first hoisted to the
peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The
flag should be again raised to the peak before it is lowered for the
day. By "half-staff" is meant lowering the flag to one-half the
distance between the top and bottom of the staff. Crepe streamers may
be affixed to spear heads or flagstaffs in a parade only by order of
the President of the United States.
4. When flags of States, cities, or localities, or pennants of
societies are flown on the same halyard with the flag of the United
States, the latter should always be at the peak. When the flags are
flown from adjacent staffs, the flag of the United States should be
hoisted first and lowered last. No such flag or pennant may be placed
above the flag of the United States or to the right of the flag of the
United States.
5. When the flag is suspended over a sidewalk from a rope extending
from a house to a pole at the edge of the sidewalk, the flag should be
hoisted out, union first, from the building.
6. When the flag of the United States is displayed from a staff
projecting horizontally or at an angle from the window sill, balcony,
or front of a building, the union of the flag should be placed at the
peak of the staff unless the flag is at half-staff.
7. When the flag is used to cover a casket, it should be so placed
that the union is at the head and over the left shoulder. The flag
should not be lowered into the grave or allowed to touch the ground.
8. When the flag is displayed in a manner other than by 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 should be uppermost and to the flag's own right, that is, to
the observer's left. When displayed in a window it should be
displayed in the same way, that is with the union or blue field 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.
9. That the flag, when carried in a procession with another flag, or
flags, should be either on the marching right; that is, the flag's own
right, or, if there is a line of other flags, in front of the center
of that line.
10. The flag of the United States of America should be at the center
and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags of States
or localities or pennants of societies are grouped and displayed from
staffs.
11. When flags of two or more nations are displayed, they are to be
flown from separate staffs of the same height. The flags should be of
approximately equal size. International usage forbids the display of
the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace.
12. When displayed from a staff in a church or public auditorium, the
flag of the United States of America should hold the position of
superior prominence, in advance of the audience, and in the position
of honor at the clergyman's or speaker's right as he faces the
audience. Any other flag so displayed should be placed on the left of
the clergyman or speaker or to the right of the audience.
Saluting the Flag
When it is six paces from the viewer and hold it until the flag has
passed six paces beyond.
Salute the flag at the first note of the National Anthem and hold the
salute until the last note is played. Never use a flag as a decoration
– use bunting.
When in civilian attire.
Men
Remove hats and hold at left shoulder with hand over heart;
without hat, place right hand, palm open, over heart.
Women
Place right hand, palm open, over heart.
When in athletic clothing.
Face the flag or music, remove hat or cap and stand at attention;
a hand salute is not given.
Carrying the Flag
When marching
Carry the flag on the right in any procession or parade.
If there are many other flags, carry the flag in the front center
position.
If you are carrying a flag
Hold the flag at a slight angle from your body.
You can also carry it with one hand and rest it on your right shoulder.
Federal Law Mandates Flying of POW/MIA Flag
Public Law 105-85 requires the National League of Families
POW/MIA flag be flown on:
Armed Forces Day, May 16
Memorial Day, May 25
Flag Day, June 14
Independence Day, July 4
POW/MIA Day, 3rd Friday of September
Veterans Day, Nov. 11
The law now requires the following to fly the flag:
United Post Offices: The flag flies on the last business day before
each of the specified days.
Veterans Administration:
The flag flies at Veteran Administration
medical facilities
any day the U.S. flag is displayed.
Every Major Military Installation
The Capitol
The White House
The Korean War Veterans Memorial
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Each National Cemetery
The buildings containing the official offices of:
The Secretary of Defense
The Secretary of State
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs
The director of the Selective Service System.
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