Displaying our Flag Properly

When not displaying the flag, the flag must be properly folded as described below or rolled on to its mast if it is the style to be carried by hand or used in a stand.   Store in an upright position and place a cover over the entire length of the mast.  The flag must never be allowed to touch the ground.  The same rules that apply to the care and display of the Flag of the United States apply to Troop and Pack flags.  Never store a flag until it is DRY.

The flag, when flown at half-mast, should be first hoisted to the peak for an moment and then lowered to the half-mast position. The flag should be again raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day.  "Half-Mast" is meant lowering the flag to one-half the distance between the top and bottom of the flag pole.

 

When displaying the flag of the United States of America with another flag against a wall from crossed staffs, should be on the  viewer left and its staff should be on top of the staff of the other flag.  Both flags should be at equal height.

 

When the flag is displayed over the middle of the street, it should be suspended vertically with the star field to the north in an east and west street or to the east in a north and south street.

 

When flags of States, cities, or organizations are flown on the same stand or halyard with the flag of the United States, the flag of the United States must always be at the peak. When the flags are flown from adjacent masts, 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.

 

When the flag of the United States is displayed from a mast projecting horizontally or at an angle from the window sill, balcony, or front of a building, the star field of the flag should be placed at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half-mast.  If it cannot be moved to half mast, the flag may be flown at the top of the mast but should be horizontal.  In normal times, the flag should be angled towards the sky.

 

When the flag is suspended over a sidewalk or alleyway from a rope extending from a house to a pole at the edge of the sidewalk or alleyway, the flag should be hoisted out, star field leading, from the building.  This is used in a celebration or display of patriotism, but not as a decoration.

 

The flag should form a distinctive feature of the ceremony of unveiling a statue or monument, but it should never be used as the covering for the statue or monument.

 

The flag of the United States of America should be at the center and at the highest point of a group when a number of flags of States or localities or pennants of organizations are grouped and displayed on masts.   The flag of the United States is always the highest when placed in this type of arrangement.

 

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.  When crossing paths with other flags, such as the Scout flag, the flag of the United States always passes in front in the direction of travel.

 

When the flag is used to cover a casket, it should be so placed that the star field is at the head and over the left shoulder. The flag must not be lowered into the grave or allowed to touch the ground.  It is customarily folded in a ceremony and presented to the next of kin as an honor.

 

When displayed from a mast in a church or auditorium, the flag of the United States  should hold the position of superior prominence, in advance of the audience, and in the position of honor at the speaker's right - as (s)he faces the audience.   If you are the Scout Leader facing your audience, your flag shoulder patch will be on the same side as the U.S. Flag.   Any other flag so displayed should be placed on the left of the clergyman or speaker or to the right of the audience.

 

When the flag is displayed in a manner other than by being flown from a mast, it should be displayed flat, whether indoors or out. When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the star field should be uppermost and to the observer's left. When displayed in a window it should be displayed in the same way, with the star field to the left of the observer in the street. Never use the flag as a bunting or drape.  Flag decals and stickers may be properly displayed on the inside of motor vehicle side windows.

 

When flags of two or more nations are displayed, they are to be flown from separate masts 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.  Never fly flags of different countries on the same mast.