Proper Flag Etiquette
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General Display
It is the universal custom to display the flag from sunrise to
sunset on buildings and stationary flagstaffs in the open.
However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flay may be
displayed twenty-four hours a day if properly illuminated during
the hours of darkness.
1) When displayed either horizontally or vertically against
a wall, the union should be the uppermost and to the flag's own
right, that is, to the observer's left. When displayed in a
window, the flag should be displayed in the same way, with the
union or blue field to the left of the observer in the street.
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No other flag or pennant should be placed
above, or if on the same level, to the right of the flag
of the United States of America., except during church
services conducted by naval chaplains at sea...for
personnel of the Navy...when the church pennant may be
flown above the flag. |
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No person shall display the flag of the United Nations or any
other national or international flag equal, above, or in a
position of superior prominence or honor to, or in place of, the
flag of the United States at any place within the United States or
any Territory or possession thereof; Provided, that nothing in
this section shall make unlawful the continuance of the practice
heretofore followed of displaying the flag of the United Nations
in a position of superior prominence of honor, and other national
flags in positions of equal prominence or honor, with that of the
flag of the United States at the headquarters of the United
Nations. |
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| 2) When flags of States, cities, or
localities, or pennants of societies are flown on the same
halyard with the flag of the United States or to the
United States flag's right. |
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| 3) |
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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
United States flag's right. |
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| 4) 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, and its staff, should be on the right,
the flag's own right, and its staff should be in front of
the staff of the other flag. |
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| 5)
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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
pennant of societies are grouped and displayed from
staffs. |
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| 6) When flags of two or more
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 nations above that of another nation in time
of peace. |
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Churches and Auditoriums
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| 7) When used on a speaker's platform, the flag, if
displayed flat, should be displayed above and behind the speaker.
When displayed from a staff in a church or public auditorium, the
flag of the |
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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 the right of the audience. |
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Half-Staff
8) 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. On Memorial Day, the flag should
be displayed at half-staff until noon only, then raised to the top
of the staff. By order of the President, the flag shall be flown
at half-staff upon the death of principal figures of the United
States Government and the Governor of a State, territory or
possession, as a mark of respect to their memory. In the event of
the death or other officials or foreign dignitaries, the flag is
to be displayed at half-staff according to Presidential
instructions or orders, or in accordance with recognized customs
or practices not inconsistent with the law.
In the even of the death of a present or former official of the
government of any State, territory or possession of the United
States, the Governor of that State, territory or possession may
proclaim that the National flag may be flown at half-staff. |
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