My husband has a large American flag that graced his father’s casket when his dad, a World War II veteran who served in the South Pacific, died many years ago.
One day, he decided to fly the flag on Memorial Day weekend from our home’s small second-story balcony, which faces the street. It was up for an hour or so when we got a knock on the front door. On the porch was an older gentleman who, when we greeted him, began to instruct us kindly, but firmly, on the proper way to hang an American flag.
Seems we had hung it wrong. He told us he appreciated our patriotism, but that it was important to hang the flag correctly. I don’t remember exactly how we got it wrong. I think we hung it in such a way that the stars were to the right, instead of to the left, or vice-a-versa.
I got to thinking about that impromptu lesson on flag etiquette the other day when I was driving around and noticed all the American flags that were being hung outside homes or flown from flag poles, in anticipation of Memorial Day this weekend.
I decided that before we fly our flag again we ought to make sure we get it right this time.
So here, courtesy of the website ushistory.org, are some flag etiquette guidelines for all of you considering flying the stars and stripes this weekend. The website also has a lot of do's and don't's of flag etiquette.
- When the flag is displayed over the middle of the street, it should be suspended vertically with the union to the north in an east and west street or to the east in a north and south street.
- The flag of the United States of America, when it is displayed with another flag against a wall from crossed staffs, should be on the right, the flag's own right [that means the viewer's left --Webmaster], and its staff should be in front of the staff of the other flag.
- The flag, when flown at half-staff, should be first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The flag should be again raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day. By "half-staff" is meant lowering the flag to one-half the distance between the top and bottom of the staff. Crepe streamers may be affixed to spear heads or flagstaffs in a parade only by order of the President of the United States.
- When flags of States, cities, or localities, 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 the flags are flown from adjacent staffs, the flag of the United States should be hoisted first and lowered last. No such flag or pennant may be placed above the flag of the United States or to the right of the flag of the United States (the viewer's left). When the flag is half-masted, both flags are half-masted, with the US flag at the mid-point and the other flag below.
- When the flag is suspended over a sidewalk from a rope extending from a house to a pole at the edge of the sidewalk, the flag should be hoisted out, union first, from the building.
- When the flag of the United States is displayed from a staff projecting horizontally or at an angle from the window sill, balcony, or front of a building, the union of the flag should be placed at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half-staff.
- When the flag is used to cover a casket, it should be so placed 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.
- When the flag is displayed in a manner other than by being flown from a staff, it should be displayed flat, whether indoors or out. When 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 displayed in the same way, that is with the union or blue field to the left of the observer in the street. When festoons, rosettes or drapings are desired, bunting of blue, white and red should be used, but never the flag.
- That the flag, when carried in a procession with another flag, or flags, should be either on the marching right; that is, the flag's own right, or, if there is a line of other flags, in front of the center of that line.
- 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.
- When flags of two or more nations are displayed, they are to be flown from separate staffs of the same height. The flags should be of approximately equal size. International usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace.
- When displayed from a staff in a church or public auditorium on or off a podium, the flag of the United States of America should hold the position of superior prominence, in advance of the audience, and in the position of honor at the clergyman's or speaker's right as he faces the audience. Any other flag so displayed should be placed on the left of the clergyman or speaker (to the right of the audience).
- When the flag is displayed on a car, the staff shall be fixed firmly to the chassis or clamped to the right fender.
- When hung in a window where it is viewed from the street, place the union at the head and over the left shoulder.
Eileen McNamara is a Patch associate regional editor in central Connecticut.
