Comments on: Flag Code

By: Deborah Hendrick

Deborah Hendrick — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 06:21:41 +0000

Ali, there is nothing written in the U.S. Flag Code that requires the U.S. flag to be flown at any sporting event. It is a traditional feature of most sporting events, but not compulsory. Your proof is the Flag Code itself, and here is a link to the entire code at a federal website. It prints out to 23 pages of 12 pt. type. Or you can supply links to The Daily Flag article here, which breaks the code apart by the ten sections. The university can host a flag ceremony by having a color guard carry the flag to the center of the field, turn and face the home stands. The band can play, or a soloist can sing the National Anthem, then the color guard will march off the field. I recommend that the color guard be staged on the sidelines at the 50 yard line, and that the color guard be announced. It is always appropriate to let people know the flag is about to be paraded, so they can be given time to stand, remove head coverings, etc, and prepare to salute the flag during the National Anthem. Thank you for writing, Ali. Good Luck and best wishes, Deborah

By: Ali

Ali — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 19:08:30 +0000

Where can I find guidance on having American Flags at sporting events? Is it required to have an American Flage during sporting events or not? Our school is opening up the football season and asked me to conduct colorguard and raise the flag. To my surprise, they removed the flag pole due to renovations.

Where can I find information or regulations that state that it is required by law to have an American Flag flown at all times during a sporting event? I need proof for the University to ensure that we are either in compliance with Federal Code or not.

Thanks,

By: Deborah Hendrick

Deborah Hendrick — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 04:29:06 +0000

Hi Karen—I like your Uncle’s style. It’s a myth—about flying the Texas flag upside down in times of war. I wish I knew where it started, but now you and your Uncle both know, and can pass the word along too. The star always points to the top!

The link below goes to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, and contains all there is to know about the legalities of the Lone Star flag. It’s splendid information.

http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/ref/abouttx/flagcode.html

Best Wishes,
Deborah Hendrick

By: Karen Hamilton

Karen Hamilton — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 04:09:21 +0000

My Uncle proudly displays the Texas flag and the USA flag in his front yard. He was recently told that in time of war that the texas flag was to flown unside down. Is there any truth to this story? He wants to fly his flag in the correct way.

By: REA

REA — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 20:02:06 +0000

Can a parade have more than one color guard carrying the national colors … ? I have seen this in the past (presidential inauguarations, etc …)

By: Deborah Hendrick

Deborah Hendrick — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 15:18:10 +0000

You are correct, Bobby. It is NOT necessary to remove the flags flying below the U.S. flag when it is ordered to half-staff. But depending on the height of the flag pole, flags flying below the U.S. flag may be very low on the pole indeed (especially a third flag), when lowered to half-staff, and should be removed if they are apt to brush against buildings or landscaping. Thanks for writing, Deborah.

By: Bobby

Bobby — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 04:29:58 +0000

When the U.S. Flag is flown at Half Staff, is it required to remove any additional flags (i.e State Flags) from the same Halyard? I was under the impression that as long as the US Flag is in the Superior Position, then NO you dont have to remove State flags. -USMC

By: Deborah Hendrick

Deborah Hendrick — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 05:23:23 +0000

Rhonda, the answer to your question is found in Section 8 (Respect for the Flag)
in the U.S. Flag Code.

“No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of
America; the flag should not be dipped to any person or thing.
Regimental colors, State flags, and organization or institutional flags
are to be dipped as a mark of honor.

(a) The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except
as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or
property.”

By: Rhonda Spaur

Rhonda Spaur — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 05:00:39 +0000

I have been trying to locate the Code whereby the flag can be flown upside down to depict extreme duress. Please advise. Thank you.

By: Deborah Hendrick

Deborah Hendrick — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 03:25:33 +0000

Hello Mr. Hirt,
Thank you for writing. Because the salute change in the flag code includes many citations and other legal references, I must wait for the government’s official text to be up-loaded on the federal website (which I hope will be soon), so that I don’t make any mistakes in recording it on my website. I wrote about this change on The Daily Flag, found here: http://www.flagsbay.com/flag/2008/07/22/flag-code-change-veterans-can-hand-salute-the-flag/

Recall that there are four separate events wherein we salute the flag:
1. As the flag passes in review carried by a color guard
2. When the flag is being raised on the flag pole
3. When we face the flag and recite the Pledge of Allegiance
4. When we sing the National Anthem—which normally, but not always, includes facing the flag, which is already in place on the pole. Many people are surprised to learn that we are supposed to salute the flag during the National Anthem, but it is written the U.S. Code.

As a veteran, you now have a choice when you salute the flag. I know that military personnel—in uniform—salute the flag, but do not recite the Pledge or sing the sing the National Anthem during the salute. This well-established protocol seems applicable to veterans who want to render a military salute. If you want to recite the Pledge, or sing the National Anthem (as appropriate to the occasion), then you can still remove your cover and hold it in your right hand while you salute over your heart.

The next consideration would be the venue itself, and I think all veterans could easily determine what was an “indoor” venue or an “outdoor” venue. Some covered sporting stadiums are so huge as to be perceived as outdoors, and the protocol regarding wearing covers and saluting would be the same as for outdoors.

The protocol for the National Anthem is found in different place in the U.S. Code from where the Flag Code is located. The Daily Flag has written extensively about it here, with much additional Q & A: http://www.flagsbay.com/flag/2007/02/13/protocol-for-the-national-anthem-and-pledge-of-allegiance/

Please write again if you have more questions.
Best Wishes, Deborah Hendrick