Flag Etiquette

Salute 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 should 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.

[The first Navy Jack and used by the Navy after Independence. It has been recently brought back into use by the Navy during the War on Terrorism]

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.

[Civil War Cavalry Guidon Flag]

On a vehicle...
Attach the flag to the antenna or clamp the flagstaff to the right fender. Do not lay the flag over the vehicle.

On a building...
Hang the flag on a staff or on a rope over the sidewalk with the stars away from the building.

Over the street...
Hang the flag with the stars to the east on a north- south street or north on an east-west street.

Above other flags...
Hang the flag above any other flag on the same pole.

Other flags, separate poles...
Hang all flags on equal poles. Hang the U.S. flag on its own right, hoist it first and lower it last.

In a window...
Hang the flag vertically with the stars to the left of anyone looking at it from the street.

Half-mast...
This is a sign of mourning. Raise the flag to the top of the pole then lower it to the half way point. Before lowering the flag, raise it to the top again at the end of the day.

Upside down...
An upside-down flag is considered a distress signal.

[3rd Iowa Cavalry Guidon]

Multiple staffs...
If you display the flag on a staff with other flags around it, place the flag at the center and highest point. Crossed staffs - Keep the flagstaff higher and on its own right.

Behind a speaker...
Hang the flag flat on the wall. Do not decorate the podium or table with the flag. Use bunting for decoration.

Next to a speaker...
Place the flag in a stand on the speaker’s right. Use the same placement for a religious service.

In a hall or lobby...
Hang the flag vertically across from the main entrance with the stars to the left of anyone coming through the door.

On a casket...
Drape the flag with its canton at the head and over the left shoulder of the body. Do not lower the flag into the grave.

The flag should NEVER

• Be tilted (dipped) even momentarily to any person or thing. Regimental colors, State flags, organization or institutional flags may be tilted as the mark of honor.
• Be displayed with the union down except as a signal of dire distress.
• Be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and floating free.
• Be displayed on a float, motor car or boat except from a staff.
• Be allowed to touch the ground or floor, or brush against objects.
• Have objects placed on, over it, or be used as a covering for a ceiling.
• Have any mark, insignia, letter, work, figure, picture or drawing of any nature placed upon or attached to it.
• Be used as a receptacle for carrying anything, or be used to cover a statue or monument. If used in connection with unveiling ceremonies, it should not serve as a covering of the object being unveiled.
• Be used for advertising purposes or have advertising signs fastened to its staff or halyard.
• Be embroidered on such articles as handkerchief or cushions, or be printed or otherwise impressed on boxes.
• Be used as a costume or athletic uniform or part of one.
• Be used as drapery of any sort whatsoever, never festooned, drawn back or up in folds, but always allowed to fall free. Bunting of blue, white and red -always arranged with the blue above, white in the middle, and red below - should be used for such purposes of decoration as covering a speaker's desk or draping the front of a platform.

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You can retire your tattered, worn out and frayed American flags without cost to you.  Send your flags to the Kitchen Table Gang Trust, 42922 Avenue 12, Madera, CA 93638-8866 and they will dispose of your flags in a proper and dignified manner with full honors and dignity pursuant to the United States Flag Code Section 8K.  They have been doing this for the past seven years.  Their flag retirement ceremonies are held on Flag Day, June 14th each year and are conducted by an all volunteer U.S. Marine Corps Honor Guard led by GySgt. Dan Kelley USMC (Ret.).