WHEN and HOW to FLY the United States FLAG

Photo Copyright © 2011 Minerva Bloom

Thank you to Mr. David Epstein member of NASFL Museum for providing us with this information:

How To Fly the United States Flag
Ten Guidelines

1. The flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.
2. The flag is never allowed to touch the ground or the floor.
3. When hung over a sidewalk on a rope extending from a building to a pole, the union stars are always away from the building.
4. When vertically hung over the center of the street, the flag always has the union stars to the north in an east/west street, and to the east in a north/south street.
5. The flag of the United States of America should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags of states or localities or pennants of societies are grouped and displayed from staffs.
6. The flag should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds but always allowed to fall free.
   
7. The flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon on Memorial Day and then raised to the top of the staff.
8. Never fly the flag upside down except as a signal of distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.
9. The flag is never flown in inclement weather except when using an all weather flag.
   
10. The flag can be flown every day from sunrise to sunset and at night if illuminated properly.
    
    

Caring for the Flag

• If soiled, the flag may be washed or dry cleaned.
• When torn or frayed but not faded, the flag may be mended.
• A worn or faded flag should be retired with respect. Fold the flag and place it on a fire. The ashes should then be buried.
• Some Veterans of Foreign Wars Posts and other community groups collect worn flags and conduct retirement ceremonies. Check in your community for who conducts the ceremony
  
  FLAG DISPLAY DAYS
  New Year's Day - January 1
  Martin Luther King Day - Third Monday in January
  Inauguration Day - January 20
  Lincoln's Birthday - February 12
  Washington's Birthday (President's Day) - Third Monday in February
  Easter Sunday (variable)
  Mother's Day - Second Sunday in May
  Peace Officers Memorial Day (half-staff) - May 15
  Armed Forces Day - Third Saturday in May
  Memorial Day (half-staff until noon) - Last Monday in May
  Flag Day - June 14
  Father's Day - Third Sunday in June
  Independence Day - July 4
  Korean War Veterans Day (half-staff) - July 27
  Labor Day -- First Monday in September
  Patriot Day - (half-staff) September 11
  POW/MIA Recognition Day - 3rd Friday in September
  Constitution Day (Citizenship Day) - September 17
  Columbus Day - Second Monday in October
  Navy Day - October 27
  Veterans Day - November 11
  Thanksgiving Day - Fourth Thursday in November
  National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (half-staff) - December 7
  Christmas Day - December 25
  
  and such other days as may be proclaimed by the President of the United States; the birthdays of states (date of admission; and on state holidays. The information outlined above is part of the Federal Flag Code or enacted by Federal legislation. For more information regarding flag history, Federal Flag Code, or how to properly display the U.S. flag:
  
  Flag Education
  From the Veterans of Foreign Wars Headquarters