Although we think you should fly your flag everyday, these are the dates to fly the U.S. FLAG
throughout the year.


This is a complete list of dates throughout the year on which you should fly your U.S. Flag. All should be at full staff unless otherwise specified.

January 1
January 20

February 12
February 17

April 20

June 14

July 4
July 27 (half staff)

September 1
September 11 (half staff)
September 17
September 19

October 13
October 27

November 11
November 27

December 7 (half staff)
December 25
 

 

FLAG ETIQUETTE

When To Display the Flag
The flag should be displayed on all days when the weather permits, especially on legal holidays or other special occasions. It is customary to display the flag from sunrise to sunset on buildings or on stationary flagstaffs in the open. However, on special occasions it may be displayed at night, preferably lighted. The Flag should be displayed.
on or near the main administration building of every public institution-in or near polling places on election days-in or near schools when they are in session. A citizen may fly the flag on any day he wishes.

How To Fly The Flag
The flag should be raised and lowered by hand. Never, raise the flag while it is furled; unfurl, then hoist quickly to the peak of the flagstaff. It should be lowered slowly and ceremoniously. The flag should never be allowed to touch anything beneath it, such as the ground or the floor. The flying of the flag at half-staff, is a sign of mourning.
When flown at half-staff, the flag should be first hoisted to the peak, then immediately lowered to the half-staff position. It should be raised to the peak again for a moment before it is lowered for the day. Half-staff is the point midway between top and bottom of the flagstaff. On Memorial Day in May, the flag should fly at half-staff from sunrise until noon and at full-staff from noon until sunset.

How To Display The Flag
If the flag is displayed from a staff projected from a window sill, balcony or front of a building, the union of the flag should go to the peak of the staff (unless the flag is to be displayed at half-staff). When the flag is displayed in any manner other than being flown from a staff, it should be displayed flat, whether indoors or out. If displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union should be uppermost and to the flag's own right; that is, to the observer's left. When displayed in a window it should be suspended in the same way--that is, with the union to the left of the observer in the street.
When displayed over the middle of the street, the Stars and Stripes should be suspended vertically with the union to the north on an east-west street and to the east on a north-south street. When the flag is suspended over a sidewalk from a rope extending from house to pole at the edge of the sidewalk, the flag should be hoisted out from the building toward the pole union first. When used on a speaker's platform the flag may be displayed flat, above and behind the speaker. If flown from a staff it should be on the speaker's right; all other flags on the platform should be on the speakers left. When it is displayed on the pulpit or chancel in a church, the flag should be flown from a staff placed on the clergyman's right as he faces the congregation. All other flags on the pulpit or chancel should be on the clergyman's left. When flags of states or cities, or pennants of societies, are flown on the same halyard with the flag of the United States, the latter should always be at the peak. When flown from adjacent staffs, the Stars and Stripes should be raised first and lowered last. When used to cover a casket, the flag should be placed so that the union is at the head and over the left shoulder. The flag should not be lowered into the grave or allowed to touch the ground. The casket should be carried foot-first from the hearse to the grave. The flag should not: be used as a costume or athletic uniform or part of one; be used as drapery of any sort whatsoever, never festooned, drawn back or up in folds, but always allowed to fall free. Bunting of blue, white and red-- always arranged with the blue above, white in the middle, and red below--should be used for such purposes of decoration as covering a speaker's desk or draping the front of a platform.

Saluting The Flag
In saluting the flag, those present in uniform should render the military salute. When not in uniform, men should remove the hat with the right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Women and men without hats should place the right hand over the heart. Aliens should stand at attention. All persons present should face the flag, stand at attention and salute on the following occasions:
1. When the flag is passing in a parade or review. The salute to the flag
in the moving column is rendered at the moment the flag passes.
2. During the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the flag.
3. When the National Anthem is played and the flag is displayed.
4. During the Pledge of Allegiance ... I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
When the National Anthem is played and the flag is not displayed, all present should stand and face toward the music. Those in uniform should salute at the first note of the anthem, retaining this position until the last note. All others should stand at attention, men removing their hats. When the flag is displayed, all present should face the flag and salute.

How To Dispose Of Worn Flags
Every precaution should be taken to prevent the flag from becoming soiled. When a flag is in such a condition, through wear or damage, that is no longer a fitting emblem for display, it should be destroyed privately in a dignified manner. The flag should NEVER be tilted (dipped) even momentarily to any person or thing. Regimental colors, State flags, organization or institutional flags may be tilted as the mark of honor.
Should never: be displayed with the union down except as a signal of dire distress; be displayed on a float, motor car or boat except from a staff; be allowed to touch the ground or floor, or brush against objects; have objects placed on it, over it, or be used as a covering for a ceiling; have any mark, insignia, letter work, figure, picture or drawing of any nature placed upon or attached to it; be used as a receptacle for carrying anything, or be used to cover a statue or monument. If used in connection with unveiling ceremonies, it should not serve as a covering of the object being unveiled; be embroidered on such articles as handkerchief or cushions, or be printed or otherwise impressed on boxes.

 

 

Flag Folding Ceremony

 
The flag folding ceremony represents the same religious principles on which our country was originally founded. The portion of the flag denoting honor is the canton of blue containing the stars representing the states our veterans served in uniform. The canton field of blue dresses from left to right and is inverted when draped as a pall on a casket of a veteran who has served our country in uniform.

 

In the Armed Forces of the United States, at the ceremony of retreat the flag is lowered, folded in a triangle fold and kept under watch throughout the night as a tribute to our nation's honored dead. The next morning it is brought out and, at the ceremony of reveille, run aloft as a symbol of our belief in the resurrection of the body.

The Meaning Behind Each Fold

 
The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.

 

The second fold is a symbol of our belief in the eternal life.

 

The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks who gave a portion of life for the defense of our country to attain a peace throughout the world.

 

The fourth fold represents our weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in times of war for His divine guidance.

 

The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, "Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong."

 

The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

 

The seventh fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that we protect our country and our flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic.

 

The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered in to the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor mother, for whom it flies on mother's day.

 

The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood; for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great have been molded.

 

The tenth fold is a tribute to father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since they were first born.

 

The eleventh fold, in the eyes of a Hebrew citizen, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

 

The twelfth fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son, and Holy Ghost.

 

When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, "In God we Trust."

 

 
After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington and the sailors and marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for us the rights, privileges, and freedoms we enjoy today.


 

 

How to fold the Flag

 

Step 1

 

To properly fold the Flag, begin by holding it waist-high with another person so that its surface is parallel to the ground.

 



 

 

Step 2

 

Fold the lower half of the stripe section lengthwise over the field of stars, holding the bottom and top edges securely.

 



 

 

Step 3

 

Fold the flag again lengthwise with the blue field on the outside.

 



 

 

Step 4

 

Make a triangular fold by bringing the striped corner of the folded edge to meet the open (top) edge of the flag.
 



 

 

Step 5

 

Turn the outer (end) point inward, parallel to the open edge, to form a second triangle.

 



 

 

Step 6

 

The triangular folding is continued until the entire length of the flag is folded in this manner.

 



 

Step 7

 

When the flag is completely folded, only a triangular blue field of stars should be visible.