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Flag Rules and Regulations |
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How to Fold the Flag
©2005 ushistory.org
Step-by-step instructions for cadets, boy scouts, etc.
This animated gif frame by frame
How to Display the Flag
PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION 
1.
When the flag is displayed over the middle of the
street, it should be suspended vertically with the
union to the north in an east and west street or
to the east in a north and south street.
2.
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 [that means the viewer's left --Webmaster],
and its staff should be in front of the staff of
the other flag.
3.
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. By "half-staff" is meant lowering
the flag to one-half the distance between the top
and bottom of the staff. Crepe streamers may be
affixed to spear heads or flagstaffs in a parade
only by order of the President of the United States.
4.
When flags of States, cities, or localities, or
pennants of societies are flown on the same halyard
with the flag of the United States, the latter should
always be at the peak. 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 right of the flag of
the United States (the viewer's left). When the
flag is half-masted, both flags are half-masted,
with the US flag at the mid-point and the other
flag below.
5.
When the flag is suspended over a sidewalk from
a rope extending from a house to a pole at the edge
of the sidewalk, the flag should be hoisted out,
union first, from the building.
6.
When the flag of the United States is displayed
from a staff projecting horizontally or at an angle
from the window sill, balcony, or front of a building,
the union of the flag should be placed at the peak
of the staff unless the flag is at half-staff.
7.
When the flag is used to cover a casket, it should
be so placed that the union is at the head and over
the left shoulder. The flag should not be lowered
into the grave or allowed to touch the ground.
8.
When the flag is displayed in a manner other than
by being flown from a staff, it should be displayed
flat, whether indoors or out. When displayed either
horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union
should be uppermost and to the flag's own right,
that is, to the observer's left. When displayed
in a window it should be displayed in the same way,
that is with the union or blue field to the left
of the observer in the street. When festoons, rosettes
or drapings are desired, bunting of blue, white
and red should be used, but never the flag.
9.
That the flag, when carried in a procession with
another flag, or flags, should be either on the
marching right; that is, the flag's own right, or,
if there is a line of other flags, in front of the
center of that line.
10.
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 pennants of societies are grouped and displayed
from staffs.
11.
When flags of two or more nations are 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 nation above that of another
nation in time of peace.
12.
When displayed from a staff in a church or public
auditorium on or off a podium, the flag of the 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 (to the right of the audience).
13.
When the flag is displayed on a car, the staff shall
be fixed firmly to the chassis or clamped to the
right fender.
14.
When hung in a window, place the blue union in the
upper left, as viewed from the street.
Flagpoles and Flag Sizes
| flagpole | flag | flagpole | flag |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20' | 4'x6' | 50' | 8x12'-10x15' |
| 25' | 5'x8' | 60'-65' | 10'x15'-10'x19' |
| 30'-35' | 6'x10' | 70'-80' | 10'x19'-12'x18' |
| 40'-45' | 6'x10-8'x12' | 90'-100' | 20'x38'-30'x50 |
The table shows the appropriate size for public display (not home-use) of the flag.
Flag Proportions
According to Executive Order 10834, official flags (not personal flags) must meet these standards.
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Flag Code Violations in the News
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Super Bowl 2004, Janet Jackson's "costume malfunction" made international news; that same half-time show featured the wearing of an American flag by performer Kid Rock. He later removed the flag poncho and hurled it over his head. Section 8d. reads, "The flag should never be used as wearing apparel." Click picture for enlargement. Photo credit: Reuters |
Other Questions
- My flag touched the ground. Do I need to
destroy it?
-
No. You should, of course, try to avoid having
the flag touch the ground. But if it does, you
should correct the situation immediately. If
the flag has been dirtied, you should clean
it by hand with a mild soap solution and dry
it well before returning it to use.
- My flag is old and ready to be retired. What
should I do?
-
Section 8k of the Flag Code (see below) states,
"The flag, when it is in such condition
that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display,
should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably
by burning." We recommend that you contact
your local VFW
Chapter and ask them for help properly disposing
of your flag. And be sure to consider providing
a small donation to them for their assistance.
Or you can contact your local Elks
Lodge (who created the idea of Flag Day,
established officially by President Truman,
himself a member of the Elks), the American
Legion, or the Knights of Columbus. Some Boy
Scout and Girl Scout troups also can provide
this service.
- Is it appropriate to fly a flag that has
fewer than 50 stars?
-
Yes. There is nothing wrong in flying a historic
flag.
- I am not a citizen of the US; am I expected
to salute the flag?
-
Americans should stand at attention facing the
flag with the right hand over the heart. When
not in uniform men should remove any non-religious
headdress with their right hand and hold it
at the left shoulder, the hand being over the
heart. Persons in uniform should remain silent,
face the flag, and render the military salute.
Those who are not U.S. citizens should stand
at attention.
- Is it okay to fly a flag that was used to
drape a coffin?
-
The Flag Code makes no reference to this use,
but consensus among experts is that yes, it
would be an honor to display the flag to show
patriotism.
- We are flying the US flag, our state flag,
and the POW/MIA flag on side-to-side poles. What
order should they be in?
-
The order of precedence for flags is National,
State, Military, Veterans and POW/MIA, then
other. If there are multiple state flags, place
them in order of admission to the union. Multiple
other national flags are traditionally shown
in alphabetical order.
- How can I get a flag that has flown over
the Capitol?
-
Constituents may arrange to purchase flags that
have been flown over the Capitol by getting
in touch with their Senators or Representative.
A certificate signed by the Architect of the
Capitol accompanies each flag. Flags are available
for purchase in sizes of 3'x5' or 5'x8' in fabrics
of cotton and nylon.
- What does the fringe on the flag represent?
The gold trim is found on ceremonial flags,
to be used indoors and for ceremonies only.
They originally were used on military flags.
The fringe has no specific significance, but
is considered completely within the guidelines
of proper flag etiquette. There is nothing in
the flag code indicating that the fringe is
for federal government flags only. The Internet
contains many sites that claim that the fringe
indicates martial law or that the Constitution
does not apply in that area. These are entirely
unfounded (usually citing
Executive Order 10834 and inventing text
that is not part of the order) and should be
dismissed as urban legends.
- Should I fly my flag at half-mast today?
-
Your flag should be flown at half-mast upon
reliable information that a past or present
President or Vice-President has died. It should
also be flown at half-staff upon
Presidential proclamation. See Section 7-M
below for more information.
- Can my company decide to fly our flag at
half-mast for a former employee?
-
No. Only the president of the US or your state
governor can order the flag lowered to half-staff.
- Upon the death of a sitting or former President
how long does the flag fly at half-mast? For a
Vice-President?
-
30 days for the death of a sitting or former
President. 10 days for the death of a Vice President.
See section 7-m below for more information.
- How can I show mourning if my flag is on
a fixed pole or staff and can't be half-masted?
-
The flag rules make no provisions for this.
However, army regulations state, "A streamer
of black crepe 7 feet long and 1 foot wide will
be attached to the staff immediately below the
spearhead of the U.S. flag."
- Can I have people sign my flag?
-
No, you should never sign the flag directly
on it. If your flag has a canvas strip that
holds the grommets, it is acceptable to have
everyone sign along that canvas strip. Or, you
can have everyone sign a separate document that
can then be framed and displayed with the flag.
- I am thinking of getting a flag tattoo. Is
it okay?
-
There is nothing in the Flag Code about tattoos.
The question is one of respect for the flag.
In this case one person's respect is another's
disrespect, and we advise against a flag tattoo.
Perhaps an American eagle would look good?
- What is the meaning of the folds in a flag-folding
ceremony?
-
There is no reference to meaning of the folds
in the Flag Code. There is, however, a popular
flag-folding ceremony.
- Is Texas's the only state flag allowed to
fly at the same height as the US flag?
-
No, this is an urban legend. All state flags
may fly at the same height as the U.S. flag.
The U.S. flag must be on its right (the viewer's
left), however. Texas's laws are consistent
with those of the other states. See
Texas flag code.
- Does the ball ornament atop a flagpole contain
a razor, lighter, and flare?
-
No. This is just an urban legend. One explanation
is that the myth started during the Cold War
and that the objects were to be used to destroy
the flag in the event of a Soviet invasion.
Of course, the ball ornament predates the Cold
War by many years.
- Is it okay to have a flag t-shirt with words
written on it?
-
No, the flag should never be worn and no, the
flag should never have marks or words written
upon it. Section 8d (see below): "The flag
should never be used as wearing apparel."
Section 8g: "The flag should never have
placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached
to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure,
design, picture, or drawing of any nature."
- Is it okay to use flag napkins or flag paper
plates?
-
No. Section 8i (see below) reads: "It should
not be ... printed or otherwise impressed on
paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed
for temporary use and discard."
- Is it okay for an advertisement to use the
flag?
No. Section 8i (see below) reads, "The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever."
Capital One credit card promotion
- Where does the flag fly 24 hours a day?
-
Untold thousands of places. Section 6a: "when
a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may
be displayed twenty-four hours a day if properly
illuminated during the hours of darkness."
Of course it flies 24 hours a day on the Moon.
There is an elite group where, by executive
order, it is to fly 24 hours a day, shown here:
- Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, Baltimore, Maryland (Presidential Proclamation No. 2795, July 2, 1948).
- Flag House Square, Albemarle and Pratt Streets, Baltimore Maryland (Public Law 83-319, approved March 26, 1954).
- United States Marine Corps Memorial (Iwo Jima), Arlington, Virginia (Presidential Proclamation No. 3418, June 12, 1961).
- On the Green of the Town of Lexington, Massachusetts (Public Law 89-335, approved November 8, 1965).
- The White House, Washington, DC. (Presidential Proclamation No. 4000, September 4, 1970).
- Washington Monument, Washington, DC. (Presidential Proclamation No. 4064, July 6, 1971, effective July 4, 1971).
- Fifty flags of the United States are displayed at the Washington Monument continuously. United States Customs Ports of Entry which are continually open (Presidential Proclamation No. 413 1, May 5, 1972).
- Grounds of the National Memorial Arch in Valley Forge State Park, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania (Public Law 94-53, approved July 4,1975).
- I fly my flag at home 24 hours a day. What
does "properly illuminated" mean?
-
Section 6a: "when a patriotic effect is
desired, the flag may be displayed twenty-four
hours a day if properly illuminated during the
hours of darkness." The Flag Rules offer
no additional guidance on this question. We
interpret this to mean that there is either
a light directly upon the flag or that there
is sufficient local lighting to make the flag
easily visible at night.
- When children paint the American flag, is
that against the Flag rules and regulations?
-
Respectfully featuring the American flag in
artwork is a wonderful thing and should be encouraged.
We would hope that the artwork is preserved
and displayed proudly by the young artists and
their families.
- What does the Flag Code say about displaying
the flag horizontally, as before a football game?
Section 8c. reads, "The flag should never
be carried flat or horizontally, but always
aloft and free."
- Why is the flag sometimes backwards on the
side of airplanes, buses, and other vehicles?
-
The flag decals have the union (the blue area
with the stars) on the side closer to the front
of the plane. On the plane's left, the decal
shows the flag with the union at the left, as
usual. On the plane's right side, the union
is on the right. This is done so that the flag
looks as if it is blowing in the wind created
by the forward movement. You can see this on
cars and trucks as well. Click to see pictures
of the flag decals on
Air Force 1.
-
On
my motorcycle, I have two flags, the US flag and
a POW/MIA flag. How should they be positioned?
-
The US flag should always be on its right, as
shown in this picture. The POW/MIA or other
flag flies on its left, which is the viewer's
right, facing the motorcycle.
- What is the proper way to wear a flag patch
on one's shoulder sleeve?
Left Flag
Right or "reversed field" flagTo wear our country's flag properly, the field of stars should be worn closest to your heart. Thus, if your patch is to be worn on your LEFT sleeve, use a left flag. For patches worn on your RIGHT sleeve, use a "right" or "reversed field" flag. Since the law does not specifically address the positioning of the patch, a decision is left to the discretion of the organization prescribing the wear. Some elect to use the "left" flag on both sleeves. [Note: many states and cities have ordinances pertaining to the use of the flag; you may wish to contact the Attorney General of your state or the City Attorney's office regarding this matter.] If you are planning to wear only one patch, it is recommended that you wear a "left" flag on your left sleeve. Military guidelines specify that in support of joint or multi-national operations, the "right" flag is worn on the right sleeve, 1/4" below the shoulder seam or 1/8" below any required unit patches.
Source: Army Website FAQs - Isn't the American flag stamp in violation
of the flag rules?
This question has been asked by dozens of visitors to this page. The answer appears to be yes. Section 8e. (see below) reads, "The flag should never be ... used ... in such a manner as to permit it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way." Section 8g. reads, "The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark ... of any nature." 8i. reads, "[The flag] should not be printed or otherwise impressed on ... anything that is designed for temporary use and discard."
37’ stamp
- What is a flag?
-
This question does not have an obvious answer.
Our conclusion is that the flag is that which
we recognize to be the flag. The pictures below
are all understood to be flags, even with little
or inaccurate visual information, or existing
in light, or with the parts of the flag in a
different arrangement. These are not shown as
examples of violations of the flag rules.
These examples are all recognized as being flags:
 Jasper Johns flag |
 animation experiment |
 flag quilt |
 Bank of America logo |
 child's drawing |
 flag car |
 flag Christmas tree |
 flag umbrella |
 weathervane |
Flag Code
Sec. 1. Flag; stripes and stars on
The flag of the United States shall be thirteen
horizontal stripes, alternate red and white; and
the union of the flag shall be forty-eight stars
[Note that sec. 2 which follows provides
for additional stars. Today the flag has fifty
stars representing the fifty states - Webmaster],
white in a blue field
Sec. 2. Same; additional stars
On the admission of a new State into the Union
one star shall be added to the union of the flag;
and such addition shall take effect on the fourth
day of July then next succeeding such admission
*Sec. 3. [This section relates only to the District of Columbia and is being omitted here -Webmaster]
Sec. 4. Pledge of allegiance to the flag;
manner of delivery
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag: "I
pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States
of America, and to the Republic for which it stands,
one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty
and justice for all.", should be rendered
by standing at attention facing the flag with
the right hand over the heart. When not in uniform
men should remove any non-religious headdress
with their right hand and hold it at the left
shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons
in uniform should remain silent, face the flag,
and render the military salute.
Sec. 5. Display and use of flag by civilians;
codification of rules and customs; definition
The following codification of existing rules and
customs pertaining to the display and use of the
flag of the United States of America be, and it
is hereby, established for the use of such civilians
or civilian groups or organizations as may not
be required to conform with regulations promulgated
by one or more executive departments of the Government
of the United States. The flag of the United States
for the purpose of this chapter shall be defined
according to title 4, United States Code, Chapter
1, Section 1 and Section 2 and Executive Order
10834 issued pursuant thereto.
Sec. 6. Time and occasions for display
- It is the universal custom to display the
flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings
and on stationary flagstaffs in the open. However,
when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag
may be displayed twenty-four hours a day if
properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.
- The flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered
ceremoniously.
- The flag should not be displayed on days when
the weather is inclement, except when an all-weather
flag is displayed.
- The flag should be displayed on all days,
especially on
- New Year's Day, January 1
- Inauguration Day, January 20
- Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, third Monday in January
- Lincoln's Birthday, February 12
- Washington's Birthday, third Monday in February
- Easter Sunday (variable)
- Mother's Day, second Sunday in May
- Armed Forces Day, third Saturday in May
- Memorial Day (half-staff until noon), the last Monday in May
- Flag Day, June 14
- Independence Day, July 4
- Labor Day, first Monday in September
- Constitution Day, September 17
- Columbus Day, second Monday in October
- Navy Day, October 27
- Veterans Day, November 11
- Thanksgiving Day, fourth Thursday in November
- Christmas Day, December 25
- and such other days as may be proclaimed by the President of the United States
- the birthdays of States (date of admission)
- and on State holidays.
- The flag should be displayed daily on or near
the main administration building of every public
institution.
- The flag should be displayed in or near every
polling place on election days.
- The flag should be displayed during school
days in or near every schoolhouse.
The flag, when carried in a procession with another flag or flags, should be either on the marching right; that is, the flags own right, or, if there is a line of other flags, in front of the center of that line.
- The flag should not be displayed on a float
in a parade except from a staff, or as provided
in subsection (i) of this section.
- The flag should not be draped over the hood,
top, sides, or back of a vehicle or of a railroad
train or a boat. When the flag is displayed
on a motorcar, the staff shall be fixed firmly
to the chassis or clamped to the right fender.
- 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, when the church pennant may
be flown above the flag during church services
for the personnel of the Navy. 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 or 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.
- 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 in front of the staff of the other flag.
- 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 pennants of societies are grouped
and displayed from staffs.
- When flags of States, cities, or localities,
or pennants of societies are flown on the same
halyard with the flag of the United States,
the latter should always be at the peak. 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.
- When flags of two or more nations are 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 nation above that
of another nation in time of peace.
- When the flag of the United States is displayed
from a staff projecting horizontally or at an
angle from the window sill, balcony, or front
of a building, the union of the flag should
be placed at the peak of the staff unless the
flag is at half-staff. When the flag is suspended
over a sidewalk from a rope extending from a
house to a pole at the edge of the sidewalk,
the flag should be hoisted out, union first,
from the building.
- When displayed either horizontally or vertically
against a wall, the union should be 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.
- When the flag is displayed over the middle
of the street, it should be suspended vertically
with the union to the north in an east and west
street or to the east in a north and south street.
- 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 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 to the right of the
audience.
- The flag should form a distinctive feature
of the ceremony of unveiling a statue or monument,
but it should never be used as the covering
for the statue or monument.
- 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 of 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 law.
In the event 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 shall be flown
at half-staff. The flag shall be flown at half-staff
30 days from the death of the President or a
former President; 10 days from the day of death
of the Vice President, the Chief Justice or
a retired Chief Justice of the United States,
or the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
from the day of death until interment of an
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, a Secretary
of an executive or military department, a former
Vice President, or the Governor of a State,
territory, or possession; and on the day of
death and the following day for a Member of
Congress. The flag shall be flown at half-staff
on Peace Officers Memorial Day, unless that
day is also Armed Forces Day. As used in this
subsection -
- the term "half-staff" means
the position of the flag when it is one-half
the distance between the top and bottom
of the staff;
- the term "executive or military department"
means any agency listed under sections 101
and 102 of title 5, United States Code;
and
- the term "Member of Congress"
means a Senator, a Representative, a Delegate,
or the Resident Commissioner from Puerto
Rico.
- the term "half-staff" means
the position of the flag when it is one-half
the distance between the top and bottom
of the staff;
- When the flag is used to cover a casket, it
should be so placed that the union is at the
head and over the left shoulder. The flag should
not be lowered into the grave or allowed to
touch the ground.
- When the flag is suspended across a corridor
or lobby in a building with only one main entrance,
it should be suspended vertically with the union
of the flag to the observer's left upon entering.
If the building has more than one main entrance,
the flag should be suspended vertically near
the center of the corridor or lobby with the
union to the north, when entrances are to the
east and west or to the east when entrances
are to the north and south. If there are entrances
in more than two directions, the union should
be to the east
No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America; the flag should not be dipped to any person or thing. Regimental colors, State flags, and organization or institutional flags are to be dipped as a mark of honor.
- The flag should never be displayed with the
union down, except as a signal of dire distress
in instances of extreme danger to life or property.
- The flag should never touch anything beneath
it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or
merchandise.
- The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally,
but always aloft and free.
- The flag should never be used as wearing apparel,
bedding, or drapery. It should never be festooned,
drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed
to fall free. Bunting of blue, white, and red,
always arranged with the blue above, the white
in the middle, and the red below, should be
used for covering a speaker's desk, draping
the front of the platform, and for decoration
in general.
- The flag should never be fastened, displayed,
used, or stored in such a manner as to permit
it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in
any way.
- The flag should never be used as a covering
for a ceiling.
- The flag should never have placed upon it,
nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any
mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design,
picture, or drawing of any nature.
- The flag should never be used as a receptacle
for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering
anything.
- The flag should never be used for advertising
purposes in any manner whatsoever. It should
not be embroidered on such articles as cushions
or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise
impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything
that is designed for temporary use and discard.
Advertising signs should not be fastened to
a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown.
- 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. Therefore, the lapel flag pin
being a replica, should be worn on the left
lapel near the heart.
- The flag, when it is in such condition that
it is no longer a fitting emblem for display,
should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably
by burning
During the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the flag or when the flag is passing in a parade or in review, all persons present except those in uniform should face the flag and stand at attention with the right hand over the heart. Those present in uniform should render the military salute. When not in uniform, men should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Aliens should stand at attention. The salute to the flag in a moving column should be rendered at the moment the flag passes
Sec. 10. Modification of rules and customs
by President
Any rule or custom pertaining to the display of
the flag of the United States of America, set
forth herein, may be altered, modified, or repealed,
or additional rules with respect thereto may be
prescribed, by the Commander in Chief of the Armed
Forces of the United States, whenever he deems
it to be appropriate or desirable; and any such
alteration or additional rule shall be set forth
in a proclamation
-
US CODE COLLECTION, Cornell University
- US Code, GPO
- Army Regulation 840-10 [PDF Acrobat format]
- Navy Flag Regulations Navy NTP-13B [PDF Acrobat format]
- Where the flag flies 24 hours a day
