Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Question: We thank the Star-Bulletin and also your competitor for printing out a copy of the flag for display. But I've noticed people have been displaying it either wrongly or indifferently. Please explain the proper way to display the American flag, because people are putting flags up all over the place, but many not in the correct way. In some instances where there are two flags, you see the American flag on the left of the other flag. I think that's an insult to the United States of America. Respecting Old Glory
means flying it properlyAnswer: According to the U.S. Flag Code, which we found in the Americanism Manual (put out by the American Legion's National Americanism Commission), there are many rules for the proper display of the American flag, among them:
>> The universal custom is to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open. However, the flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly lit during darkness when a patriotic effect is desired.All these rules are important because the flag symbolizes so much to Americans.>> It should not be displayed in inclement weather unless an all-weather flag is used.
>> In a procession with another flag or flags, the American flag should be on the marching right or in the front of the center of a line of other flags.
>> When displayed with another flag on a wall with crossed staffs, the American flag should be on the right (the flag's right, the viewer's left), and its staff should be in front of the other staff.
>> When several flags of states/cities or pennants of societies are grouped with the American flag, the latter should be at the center and highest point.
>> When flags of states/cities or pennants are flown on the same halyard with the American flag, the latter should always be at the peak.
>> When flags of two or more nations are displayed, they should be flown from separate staffs of the same height, and the flags should be about the same size. International usage forbids displaying the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace.
>> When the flag is displayed from a staff projecting horizontally or at an angle from a window sill, balcony or front of a building, the union (where the stars are) should go clear to the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half-staff. When the flag is suspended from a rope, as from a house to a pole, the flag should be hoisted out from the building, union first.
>> When the flag is displayed other than by being flown from a staff, it should be displayed flat, whether indoors or out, or suspended so that its folds fall as free as though the flag were staffed. When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union, or blue field, should be uppermost and to the flag's right (viewer's left). When displayed in a window, it should be displayed in he same way, with the union to the left of the observer in the street.
>> When displayed over the middle of the street, the flag should be suspended vertically with the union to the north in an east-west street or to the east in a north-south street.
>> When used on a speaker's platform, the flag, if displayed flat, should be above and behind the speaker. When displayed from a staff in a church or public auditorium, the flag should be in the position of superior prominence, in front of the audience and to the speaker's right as he faces the audience. Any other flag should be to the left of the speaker.
As the Americanism Manual notes: "It embodies the essence of patriotism. Its spirit is the spirit of the American nation. Its history is the history of the American people."
Federal Flag Code (HTML format)
Federal Flag Code (PDF download)
U.S. Consumer Information Center: Our Flag
Got a question or complaint?
Call 529-4773, fax 529-4750, or write to Kokua Line,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu 96813. As many as possible will be answered.
Email to kokualine@starbulletin.com