Basic American Flag Manners To Know For The 4th Of July

Jul 04, 2019 by apost team

This time of the year Americans are celebrating their independence and honoring all the things that let the states be united as one country. As the flag is the highest symbol of America’s unification as one front it is important to follow the necessary etiquette when displaying and taking care of it.

1. Don’t let the flag touch the ground. Maybe you’ve heard this rumor circulate around before but it is actually an official etiquette rule of Old Glory- yes, Old Glory is the name of the American flag - don’t you love this country? The U.S. Flag Organization says “no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms.”

2. Don’t wear the flag as a piece of your clothing. I’m sure we all have broken this rule, especially on the fourth of July. However according to the U.S. Flag Code, “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.”

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3. Don’t display the flag upside down. Old Glory should never be flown upside down unless it is an emergency. An upside down flag is a sign of distress or extreme danger. 

4. Don’t store the flag in a place where it can get dirty. The flag should be stored in a place where it cannot be easily torn or damaged in any way. This also goes hand in hand with the rule that you should not use the flag as any kind of drapery or covering. 

5. Don’t fly the flag with the union on its left. It’s important that when the flag is displayed either horizontally or vertically the union (blue field of stars) should be uppermost and to the flag's own right, that is, to the observer's left according to the U.S. Military.

1. Do burn the flag if you are throwing it away. Yes, this one is surprising! You may have thought that burning the flag would be a degrading act but the code states that when the flag “is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.”

2. Do display the flag on the right side of your car. The flag should always be displayed on the right side of your fender clamped firmly so that it does not fall. See #1 if your flag is somehow damaged and needs to be disposed of in an honorable way. 

3. Do fly the flag at half-staff on special days. The U.S. Military says, “On Memorial Day it is flown at half-staff until noon and then raised. When flown at half-staff, it 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.”

4. Do display the flag at night if it is properly illuminated. Usually, flags should be put up at sunrise and taken down at sunset but it is okay to let the flag stay up for 24 hours if it is properly lit. 

5. Do respect the flag. During the National Anthem or Pledge Of Allegiance, it is proper for civilians to place their right hand over their heart and face the flag in honor. If you are in uniform it is proper to salute the flag. 

Have you ever broken any of these etiquette rules with the flag? Tell us below! Send this article to your patriotic friends and family.