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Today is Flag Day and a look around your neighborhood likely will find more fluttering U.S. flags than normal this year. Renewed patriotism spurred by terrorists' attacks on America on September 11, 2001 led many residents to unfurl Old Glory at home for the first time.
Unfortunately, even those who regularly pledge allegiance by flying the flag out front aren't always practicing correct flag etiquette.
The correct flag displaying and handling rites are outlined in United States Code, Title 36, Chapter 10 -- what amounts to codified patriotic behavior.
Each state also has a flag law, but any that impose penalties for bad flag manners are nulled by a Supreme Court decision in 1990 which struck down as unconstitutional any fines or imprisonment for those convicted of mutilating, defacing, defiling or otherwise desecrating Old Glory.
That makes the code less of a legal mandate and more of a manual of customs for handling and displaying the Stars and Stripes. True patriots, however, still consider it sacrilege to disrepect the flag.
According to federal code, here's how to honor those broad stripes and bright stars as you fly them at home today and during the continued perilous fight against terrorism.
The Patriot's Guide To Flying The U.S. Flag At Home
Fly the flag outside only from sunrise to sunset, unless it is illuminated for night time display.
Especially fly the flag on New Year's Day, January 1; Inauguration Day, January 20; Lincoln's Birthday, February 12; Washington's Birthday, third Monday in February; Easter Sunday; 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; state birthdays (dates of admission); state holidays; and other days as announced by the U.S. President.
Do not fly the flag outside during inclement weather unless you use an all-weather flag.
Do not fly another flag above the U.S. flag, or if the other flag is on the same level, do not fly another flag to the right of the U.S. flag.
Fly the flag with the "union" (the blue field of white stars) at the peak of the staff (unless the flag is at half staff) when flying the flag from a staff projecting horizontally or at an angle from the window sill, balcony, or front of a building.
When you suspend a flag over a sidewalk from a rope extending from a house to a pole at the edge of the sidewalk, hoist the flag, union first, from the building.
When you display the flag over the middle of the street, suspend it vertically with the union to the north in an east and west street, to the east in a north and south street.
When you display a flag horizontally or vertically against a wall or in a window, place the union uppermost and to the flag's own right, or to the observer's left.
Display the flag with the union down only as a distress signal.
Fly the flag at half-staff (positioning the flag one-half the distance between the top and bottom of the staff) at times specified, often according to presidential instructions.
When flying the flag 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.
Never allow the flag to touch anything beneath it, including the ground, the floor, water or other items.
Never carry the flag flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free.
Never use a flag as wearing apparel, bedding, drapery, ceiling covering or decorative element. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free.
Never use the flag for advertising purposes. Don't embroider it on articles, print or impress it on disposable items.
Don't use a part of the flag as a costume or athletic uniform. A flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firefighters, police, and members of patriotic organizations. A lapel flag pin should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.
Protect the flag from display, use or storage that will cause it to be easily torn, soiled or damaged.
Never place things on the flag or attach marks, insignias, letters, words, figures, designs, pictures, or drawings
Don't use the flag as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
Aged flags no longer fit for flying -- like those wind whipped ones on personal vehicles -- should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferable by safely burning it.
U.S. Flag Resources
Buy a flag flown over the U.S. Capital Building.
Learn how to fold the U.S. flag.
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