| blue field, representing a new constellation." Flags and flag
education are important elements of the VFW's Citizenship Education program.
In fact, flags are the most commonly requested items from the VFW's Emblem
and Supply Department, which sales more than 250,000 flags each year.
The VFW publishes a flag booklet, "Ten Short Flag Stories," which you can
request by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope to the Citizenship
Education Department, Veterans of Foreign Wars, 406 West 34th Street, Kansas
City, Missouri, 64111.
Flag Etiquette
The federal flag code says the universal custom is to display the U.S. flag
from sunrise to sunset on buildings and stationary flagstaffs in the open,
but when a patriotic effect is desired the flag may be displayed 24-hours a
day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness. Also, the U.S.
flag should not be displayed when the weather is inclement, except when an
all-weather flag is displayed.
Displaying the Flag
On Same Staff
U.S. flag at peak, above any other flag except a flag of another nation
Grouped
U.S. flag goes to its own right. Flags of other nations are flown at same
height.
Marching
U.S. flag to marchers right (observer's left).
On Speaker's Platform
When displayed with a speaker's platform, it must be above and behind the
speaker. If mounted on a staff it is on the speaker's right.
Decoration
Never use the flag for decoration. Use bunting with the blue on top, then
white, then red.
Salute
Head bare (women and military leave hats on), right hand over heart,
standing at attention
Over a Street
Union (stars) face north or east depending on the direction of the street.
Half Staff
On special days, the flag may be flown at half-staff. On Memorial Day it is
flown at half-staff until noon and then raised.
Do not let the flag touch the ground.
Do not fly flag upside down unless there is an emergency.
Do not carry the flag flat, or carry things in it.
Do not use the flag as clothing.
Do not store the flag where it can get dirty.
Do not use it as a cover.
Do not fasten it or tie it back. Always allow it to fall free.
Do not draw on, or otherwise mark the flag.
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The flag
should be displayed on all special days especially on: |
New Year's Day, January 1
Inaugural Day, January 20
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
Christmas Day, December 25
birthdays of States (date of
admission)
and on State holidays.
and such other days as may be
proclaimed by
the President of the United States
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