American Flag Etiquette/Code. Do You Know It?
@gtargirl (5376)
United States
April 26, 2008 2:29pm CST
Did you know there is a code? There are certain things we cannot do with our flag and there is a particular way to handle it. Do you care? You should!!!! Here's a few codes. Lucky for us America is a democracy and most of us have never gone to jail for breaking the code.
* The flag should be lighted at all times, either by sunlight or by an appropriate light source.
* The flag should be flown in fair weather, unless the flag is designed for inclement weather use.
* The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal.
* The flag should not be used for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top.
* The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard.
* The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, fireman, policeman and members of patriotic organizations.
* The flag should never have any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind placed on it, or attached to it.
* The flag should never be used for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
* When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms. To store the flag it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.
* The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary.
* When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.
Visit http://www.usa-flag-site.org/etiquette.shtml for a more extensive list. Your thoughts????
4 people like this
11 responses
@fec139 (810)
• United States
27 Apr 08
Well, I have a news flash for all you young'uns! People have most definitely been arrested for breaking the code. I grew up in the 60s and 70s, when there were many anti-Vietnam-War demonstrations. I saw many many young people hauled off in police wagons for burning the American fkag in protest, or using the American flag to make clothing items. I also saw civilians arrested for wearing tee-shirts with the American flag. It all must have lightened up because Old Navy builds an entire business on American flag tees!
2 people like this
@gtargirl (5376)
• United States
27 Apr 08
Thanks for that reminder, my friend. I came to the USA in 1976 and did miss out on the demonstrations. In 1989, I became a citizen. It does make me wonder how Old Navy and other companies can make those tees with the flag. Strange.
@chelle39574 (215)
• United States
26 Apr 08
that is amazing i knew there were certain things that you were and were not supposed to do with the flag as far a respecting it goes but had no idea of the detail thank you for sharing this
2 people like this
@ESKARENA1 (18260)
•
26 Apr 08
i thought burning it and jumping on it on the floor was how it was meant to be treated. Isnt there a shop which sells American flags to muslims?
blessed be
@Purplelaurii77 (157)
• United States
27 Apr 08
I think your comments are rude. If you do not find the American Flag as a symbol of freedom, that is your perogative but for the millions of Americans that do you need to show a little respect and dicipline.
2 people like this
@ESKARENA1 (18260)
•
27 Apr 08
mercan? mmmmm thought so. Try looking up irony in a dictionary, maybe you will feel better then?
Also, try sense of humour while you are at it
blessed be
@emeraldisle (13138)
• United States
26 Apr 08
I had known these and it does amaze me at times how many don't seem to. I often see the Flag used in ways that go against the etiquette. It's a shame really that some don't seem to respect the flag that represents their country.
For myself I don't have a flag displayed but I would like to. We just don't have an appropriate spot at this time for the pole and flag. My father has one, he brings it in every night and takes it out in the morning. He makes sure that it is always treated with care and respect.
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
27 Apr 08
Yes, Americans are fortunate to be a democracy and not worry if they do something wrong, whether knowingly or unknowingly, they won't be killed..
I do know the etiquette, but not before 9/11..It was then that we got the info on how to display,and care for the flag..
Thank you for posting, to inform those who may not know it..
1 person likes this
@frankiecesca (2489)
•
27 Apr 08
Not being an American citizen this is very interesting! I never knew how many different codes there were as obviously you mention that this isn't the full list either so quite a lot - it is good to see how different countries have different ways of doing things as here in the UK if somebody was to wrap a large flag around them in some kind of ceremony it wouldn't be seen as disrespectful but probably very patriotic that they wanted to be seen 'wearing' the flag - always interesting to know of different cultures and ways of doing things so thanks for an insight into something that I would probably never have found out otherwise! x
@GardenGerty (169439)
• United States
27 Apr 08
Our American Legion has a special white "mailbox" that is for the deposit of worn flags and they periodically have a retirement ceremony and burning for them.
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
27 Apr 08
that is quite interesting, I imagine much the same rules apply to other countries flags as well. The question of burning the flag comes up though, what stops people from thinking you are burning the flag out of disrespect?
@tammyr (5945)
• Etowah, Tennessee
27 Apr 08
Thanks for the link!
I do know most of these by heart and follow them.
The worse thing to me is to see cups and plates with the flag on it. People use these and pile food on top of our flag!! Where is the respect in that??
I always show respect for our flag.
Our local All Vets also has a big whits 'mail' box to deposit old worn flags so they can be properly disposed of.
@palonghorn (5479)
• United States
27 Apr 08
Yes, I did know there was a code of ethics for the flag. I was in charge of raising and lowering the flag on a daily basis for the fire dept where I was a member. It is also a little known fact that the flag is supposed to be flown at half staff on Mother's Day, but not Father's day. When raising the flag to half staff it is to be raised to the top slowly, stay at the top for a moment and then lowered to half, when lowering the flag from half it is to be raised back to the top and then lowered.
