U.S.Flag Facts Reprinted from the National Flag Foundation

Proper Display of the U.S. Flag

On a Wall
When the flag is displayed on a wall, it should be displayed with the union uppermost and to the observer's left.

In Multi-National Flag Displays
In the United States, the U.S. Flag is to be displayed first - to "its own right" - followed by the flags of all other countries (at equal height and in alphabetical order) to the left (observer's right) of the U.S. Flag.

Among Subordinate Flags
When the U.S. Flag is among a group of subordinate flags, the U.S. Flag should be at the center and the highest point - the position of prominence.

Displayed from a Staff
When displayed from a staff, the flag should hold the position of superior prominence, in advance of the audience, and to the speaker's right (facing the audience). If other flags are also displayed, they should be displayed to the speaker's left.

On a Pole
When several flags are flown from the same pole, the U.S. Flag should always be at the top - except during church services by naval chaplains at sea when the church pennant may be flown above the U.S. Flag on the ship's mast.

On a Lapel
When the flag is displayed as a lapel pin, it should be worn on the left lapel - near the heart.

Formal Occasions

Parades and Reviews
In parades or reviews, at the moment the flag passes, all non-uniformed persons should stand at attention facing the flag with their right hands over their hearts. Persons in uniform should face the flag and render the military salute.

Processions
In processions, the flag should be to the right of the marchers. When other flags are included, the U.S. Flag should be centered in front of the others or carried to their right.

Memorials, Burials, and Funerals
During these services, the flag should lay over the casket with the blue field covering the head of the left shoulder. The flag must not be lowered into the grave or allowed to touch the ground at any time.

Flying at Half-Staff

Flying the U.S. Flag at half-staff, or on a ship at half-mast, is an honored tradition which signifies that the nation is in mourning due to the death of a prominent citizen. In 1976, when the flag code was amended, changes were incorporated concerning whose death meets the criteria befitting a half-staff display. These changes make it difficult to define the half-staff criteria clearly and concisely.

However, generally speaking, the flag code dictates that the U.S. Flag be flown at half-staff only upon the death of principal figures of the U.S. government and the governor of a state, territory, or possession, as a mark of respect to their memory.

When desiring to honor someone who has died but for whom a half-staff display is not appropriate, National Flag Foundation recommends adhering to the flag code by lowering private flags to half-staff (e.g., corporate, fraternal military, etc.) This substitution of flags preserves the integrity of the "nation in mourning" distinction while allowing appropriate mourning for the deceased.

Flag Facts

• A flag expert is called a "vexillologist".

• The blue field on the U.S. Flag is called the "union".

• On Memorial Day (the last Monday in May), to honor all who died in battle, the flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon only, then raised to the top of the staff for the remainder of the day.

• June 14 was proclaimed Flag Day by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916. While Flag Day was a popular celebration in scores of communities for many years after Wilson's proclamation, it didn't receive its official Congressional designation until 1949.