Here's a review of the rules for displaying the American flag, and the customs you should know to respectfully display the flag.
Rules for Displaying the American Flag
How to Honor and Care for an American Flag
You CAN leave your flag outside in bad weather IF it is an ALL WEATHER flag, which means it was manufactured to withstand all weather types.
Always make sure your American flag does not touch the ground or anything underneath it and always handle your flag with respect.
There are special days when the flag is flown at half staff. For more information on half staff flying check out these easy to follow instructions on the Home of Heroes website.
How to Properly Display an American Flag
HANGING THE FLAG AGAINST A WALL
You can hang your American flag against a wall either horizontally or vertically. If you choose to do this, make sure that the Union (the blue part with the stars) is to the observer's left. When displayed in a window, the Union is to the left of the observer when viewed at from the street. I noticed a violation of this code on a house when I was out running errands today.
HANGING THE FLAG AT NIGHT
The U.S. flag is to be displayed from sunrise to sunset. The American flag CAN be displayed outside overnight IF properly lighted.
HANGING THE FLAG WITH OTHER FLAGS
If you are displaying your U.S flag on the same pole as a state, city, municipality or organization flag, the U.S flag is always on the top. If using separate poles and you have a group these flags, the U.S flag is displayed at the highest point and at the center. If 2 flags are being displayed on separate poles, they are at the same level and the U.S flag is always at the place of honor to the observers extreme left. The U.S flag is always hoisted first and lowered last.
If you are displaying your U.S flag with a flag of another country, they must be on separate poles at the same level. Flags should be approximately the same size. International usage forbids the display of one nations flag over another during time of peace. I happened to notice this morning that my neighbor is in violation of this one. Sorry Canada, I am sure he is not declaring war!
What To Do With A Damaged American Flag
An American flag that is ruined beyond repair is to be destroyed in an honorable way, preferably by burning. It is NOT recommended to burn the flag in your own fire pit as dangerous chemicals can be emitted from burning flags. Not to mention your neighbors could call the police on you claiming you're a terrorist! A better option is to contact your local American Legion, Boy Scout Troop or Girl Scout Troop who will gladly take your flag for proper disposal.
More flag rules to remember to honor the American Flag
If you want to learn more about the U.S. Flag Code, and notice violations everywhere (like me), you can check out this Flag Code description where I acquired the flag rules in this post.
Your American flag is made in America, right?
Look for flag manufacturers that are members of the Flag Manufacturers Association of America which established the “Certified Made in the U.S.A” certification program of American Flags. According to the FMAA website, ” ‘Certified Made in the U.S.A. ‘ certifies that your American flag has been made in the U.S. of materials that are domestic in origin and that all processes in every step of its manufacture were completed in U.S. facilities with U.S. labor”.
We have found many American made flag makers and some harder to find flag hardware and put them all in our source list of Made in USA American Flags and Flag Accessories.
SUPPORT AMERICAN MADE. THESE POSTS HAVE TIPS THAT WILL HELP YOU DO JUST THAT.
What Does the Made in the USA Label Mean? Your Questions Answered.
Trying to Buy American? 3 Rules to Follow EVERY time you go Shopping
Ask your favorite stores to help you Buy American
Let’s buy American made gifts. We’ve got all the good ideas.
How to Avoid Tariffs: Buy American! Start Here
Pin this list to save it for later!
Is it propert for the original 13 star flag to be hung at the RNC?
Thank you I wish all of the United States and the people who live here with us would respect our, my Flag.
I didn’t know any of these. Pretty cool to learn about how or why its done.
I’m an Air Force Veteran. Some years ago the Wife and I visited the Air Force Museum in Ohio. It was getting late so we had to leave back thru the entrance. On the way I stopped by the gift display to check out the American flags that were for sale, I was shocked to see some of the small hand Flags were made in China. I got up my gander and was almost thrown out of the museum, my wife and I were escorted out, Shame on who ever was in charge of sales by vendors. I followed up later and found the vendor was no longer there. I still check the USA Flag manufacture where ever there sold.
I salute you sir!
AMEN! I always check to make sure the flags I purchase are made in the good ole USA. We already have enough garbage made in China!
Good info. I fly my flag day and night without special lighting. If you respect the flag and what it represents and treat it that way I don’t believe you need to follow this so called etiquette. Loving your Country is not lessened if you do it 24/365. Good guidelines but by no means mandatory.
If You fly a flag You should do it right,if it not lit up half hour before sun down You must take it down, and yes it mandatory
Loving your country may not be lessened but you are still disrespecting the flag and breaking the law…every night. I retired as a first sergeant after serving 26 years on active duty. I now teach JROTC. Even if I left a flag flying in the dark overnight, I would not admit it. THAT is serious, disrespectful and criminal. “The United States Flag Code establishes advisory rules for display and care of the national flag of the United States of America. … This is a U.S. federal law, but the penalty described in Title 18 of the United States Code (18 U.S.C. § 700) for failure to comply with it is not enforced.” I don’t break laws just because they are not enforced.
This is really good information. If I ever have a yard, I have always wanted a flag on a flagpole. I would want to make sure I do everything right. And only purchase made in USA!!
I would never buy an American Flag that is Not Made in the USA! Forget about the cost, it’s our American Pride to Wave our Flag Proudly!
My husband is a disabled Marine, so yes we know how to display a flag. I see so many flying attered flags… I always think maybe they dont now how to dispose of them.
What I don’t understand is why everyone rushes out on holidays to put up a flag. It should be up 365 days a year!
I’d love to have a home just so I could have a flag. It would be really great to be able to have the flag on a flagpole. I love reading about flag etiquette, it is so important!
Thank you for this information. Most of it I knew. I did not know that if you keep your American flag up beyond dusk that it shoud be properly lit up. I am very proud to be an American. My Mom’s birthday is June 14th, flag day! We have always hung the great Red, White and Blue proudly and always will!!!
I had to read this since it’s Memorial Day. Thanks for sharing this flag etiquette. It disgusts me how people show little respect for America. We should be proud of our flag and what Memorial Day means. To so many Memorial Day is just a 3 day weekend.
I am so intimidated by flags. I have such respect for what it stands for, and for those that have defended its honor, that I am so nervous to mess up. It is nice that you are doing this. God Bless.
Thanks for the tips. I see many of these rules broken by well meaning people, who simply don’t know the proper way to display our flag.