Flag FAQ
Mar 7th, 2007 by Larry Hendrick
This page is dedicated to helping you find answers to those nagging questions you have about flags or flag etiquette. This is a living resource and continues to gain new information as time passes.
Flag Etiquette
How long should a flag fly at half-staff on the occasion of a President’s death?
I don’t have a staff to lower to half-staff, my flag flies on a fixed pole outside my house. What should I do to honor a Presidential death?
Do I have to burn my flag if it touches the ground?
How do I fly the U.S. flag with City, Company or other flags?
When the U.S. flag is displayed indoors, as on a stage or in a position of prominence
What does the Flag Code say about raising the flag?
Who can wear a flag on their clothing?
When can I display my flag?
Can I fly my flag after dark?
Flag Information
What are my legal rights to fly the American flag?
What size flag should I fly on my flag pole?
What are the dimensions of the American flag?
What are the parts of a flag names?
Can I use the U.S. flag in my advertising?
Should I wear clothing or accessories decorated with the American flag?
If another state comes into the United States, how does it get its star?
What days are designated by the U.S. Flag Code for flying the flag?
What is the protocol for saying the Pledge of Allegiance?
What is the protocol when the National Anthem is playing?
Can you tell me how the states and Presidents tie together?
What’s the best method of color transfer for flags?
History
Can you help me with information about George Washington?
Part 1, Part 2, More
What about Texas Independence day?
This is exactly what I expected to find out after reading the title Flag FAQ. Thanks for informative article
I have an important question about the parts of the american flag. Now I know that the side of the flag closest to the pole is the hoist, but my question is: the white binding that is on the hoist side of the flag is that origianlly classified as a part of the flag, or is it classified as an accessory to the flag to be used as the part to help fly the flag from the pole. Also is it classified as defacing the flag if on that white binding you have someone’s name embroydered into that binding. For example we fly over 530 flags on every veteran’s holiday and these flags are 5′ x 9 and a half foot casket flags. To help keep them straight as to who the flag is in rememberence of we usually have the person’s name engraved into the white binding. Before we do anymore i need to know if that is legal or classified as defacing the flag.
Thank you for your time.
The US flag is worn on soldiers uniform flying to the rear, symbolizing the soldier going into battle. The flag is worn by non-military personnel also as a patch,( police, fire, etc.), but not in the same manner. Does anyone know how and why. Thank you.
David, I would need to check for the particulars, but I believe one of the U.S. commanders in charge of troops in the war zone(s) made the decision for the the military personnel to wear the flag on the right sleeve in what is called the reverse position (whereas the obverse side is the view in which we commonly expect to see a flag patch).
Two things to remember: the U.S. Flag Code is a document written for civilians. The five branches of the military have their own specific flag code to follow, which differs in some aspects from the civilian document.
However, there is nothing in the U.S. Flag Code that prevents the non-military people you mention (firefighters, police, EMTs, Scouts, et cetera) from also wearing a flag patch in the reverse position. It is a matter of tradition and choice, not specific code.
David,
From my personal experience of 23 years of Military service: The American flag is worn on the right sleeve, prior to deployment, with the stars facing foward. The reason being that the flag is ALWAYS moving forward on the battlefield, never in retreat, which is a word not found in modern military vernacular (one would say retrograde instead).
Furthermore, the right sleeve eventually would have a unit patch placed on it, to indicate unit of service or attachment during deployment. Most soldiers refer to it as a “Varsity patch” because they have served in a combat zone.
Thank you, Chris.
When presenting the colors walking the flag from one side of the room to the other to post the flag, should the people stand to honor the flag
Yes, we are supposed to stand when the colors are paraded. But the colors should be announced also, so that people have time to stand. This article on protocol will give you more information. Thank you for writing, Nancy.
How much of the flag (or how many parts thereof) must be in evidence before something is said to represent the flag? If an article of clothing (especially things like bikinis, boxer briefs, and thongs, etc.) is done in “flag-motif”, is that enough to say that the flag is being disrespected?
Hyster, I wish I knew the answer to your question, and the Flag Code does not specify in great detail, but then those who wrote the Flag Code never anticipated what we Americans would do with the flag! I personally believe that the flag transcends mere clothing. But it is axiomatic that some of the most flag-loving Americans know the least about proper flag etiquette and protocol. I routinely see stories in the newspaper or on the television news about someone who has decorated her entire house in a flag motif, but has not actually abused a real flag, except that she crocheted a life-sized “flag” afghan that is now draped across the back of her sofa. (On top of that, I live in Texas, and there’s nothing that some Texans won’t do to the Lone Star flag for the sake of decoration, amusement, and advertising.)
I say, let the flag speak for itself! Which is to say—Fly the Flag. But alas, I am shouted down by an avalanche of “flag” products that deploy the Stars & Stripes in an amazing array of creativity, most of which (in my opinion) thoroughly trample the Flag Code. One of the largest and most worthy veterans’ organizations in this country sent me a t-shirt printed with a lovely scenic picture that includes a flag flying on a flag pole. But I don’t “wear” a flag image, I fly the flag. If they had sent me a real little flag, I would have been delighted.
The Flag Code DOES however, permit ordinary citizens to wear the flag in the form of a flag pin. I have a beautiful pin—it is distinctly feminine—but it is clearly a flag pin. I would cheerfully spend large sums of my income buying flag pins—they come in a size and quality to satisfy everyone. But I never wear the “flag” in any other way.
None of this answers your question though, because it can’t be quantified; it is subject to individual bias and opinion. I see a lot of things using a Stars & Stripes motif that make me uncomfortable, like the things you listed, and especially the things that make you do a double-take, where you wonder if someone really did cut up a flag to create some particular item. There are two distinct camps of opinion on this topic. Many wonderful people that I love, who love the flag and this country—think that it is permissible to use a “representation” of the flag on any number of things. I disagree.
Here are some articles from The Daily Flag that you may find useful.
A Question of Balance
Wearing the U.S. Flag
Decision
Misguided Outrage
Thank you for writing, Hyster. I’m sorry I couldn’t really answer your question, and that I went on a rant instead. Best Wishes, Deborah Hendrick