Display your flag
the proper wayWAT DAT?
There are actually rules for flying your flag, mandated by Congress. Here are highlights:>> Flags displayed over the middle of a street should be suspended vertically with the union (the stars) to the north in east-west streets or to the east in north-south streets.
>> When it is displayed with other flags against a wall from crossed staffs, the American should be on the viewer's left and the staff in front of the other staff.
>> When flown at half-staff, the flag is first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to half-staff. The flag should be again raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day.
>> The American flag is always on top when flown with the flags of states, cities, localities or societies on the same halyard. When flown side by side, the flag of the United States is hoisted first and lowered last. No other flag or pennant can be placed above or to the right of the American flag.
>> Flags hoisted out from buildings go union first.
>> Flags displayed from staffs projecting horizontally or at an angle from a window sill, balcony, or front of a building should have the union at the peak of the staff.
>> When the flag is displayed in ways other than being flown from a staff, it is displayed flat, whether indoors or out. The union is always uppermost and to an observer's left.
>> When the flag is carried in procession with another flags, it is either on the marching right or in front of the center of a line.
>> The flag is at the center and at the highest point of any grouping of flags.
>> Flags of other nations are flown from separate staffs of the same height, and the flags should be equal size. International usage forbids displaying any flag of one nation above another in times of peace.
>> In a church or public auditorium, the flag holds the position of honor at the clergyman's or speaker's right as he faces the audience.
Burl Burlingame
Federal Flag Code (HTML format)
Federal Flag Code (PDF download)
U.S. Consumer Information Center: Our Flag
Curious about something you've seen or heard? Write "Wat Dat?" 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, Honolulu 96813; or e-mail watdat@starbulletin.com
Click for online
calendars and events.
