Flag Etiquette

Displaying the US Flag

There should not be any flag flown above or to the left of the US Flag. The only exception to this rule is if a church service is being conducted by naval chaplains at sea, in this case the church pennant may be flown above the US Flag. When flying the US Flag with a State Flag, one should always fly the US Flag at the peak and the state flag six inches below. If there are two flag poles side by side, the US Flag should be raised first and lowered last. No flag or pennant should be placed above the US Flag or to the observer's left of the US Flag. When flying a US Flag with International Country Flags, they are to be flown from separate staffs of the same height, and the flags should be of equal size. When displaying a US Flag around a Speaker's Platform it should be displayed flat above and behind the speaker, or displayed to the right of the audience if another flag is also being displayed. 

The American Flag should be flown everyday, but especially 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 4th
  • Labor Day - first Monday in September
  • Patriot Day - September 11
  • 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
  • Birthdays of States
  • State Holidays

"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 being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart."

U.S. Code, Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 8(j)