The American Flag...Old Glory

How often have we thought the American flag has to fly a certain way or be placed in a particular position?  How many arguments have we had about flag protocol, procedure, or the law concerning “Old Glory?”  In referring to Flag Fact, Fiction or Opinion, we can make sure we are doing it right with a few facts.
 
Order of Precedence for Flag Display

According to the Department of Defense Directive 1005.8, the prescribed precedence of military flags is determined by service birthdays. The appropriate order is given below:

Army Birthday --14 June 1775
Marine Corps Birthday – 10 November 1775
Navy Birthday – 13 Oct 1775-Abolished Feb 1781-Reinstated 7 Sep 1781
Air Force Birthday – 18 September 1947
*Coast Guard Birthday – 4 August 1790
Army National Guard
Army Reserve
Marine Corps Reserve
Naval Reserve
Air National Guard
Air Force Reserve
Coast Guard Reserve

*According to the Institute of Heraldry, and in keeping with the order in which troops are listed in Department of Defense Directive 1005.8, during peacetime the Coast Guard falls under the Department of Homeland Security. During wartime, if the Coast Guard comes under the control of the Department of Defense, then the Coast Guard flag would come before the Air Force flag in order of precedence.

Keep in mind that "The Flag Code" so often cited is a series of recommendations designed for the use of individuals or organizations that may not be required to conform to regulations from departments of the US Government. For example: each military branch has its own code of flag etiquette that may have additional requirements or cover aspects not anticipated the in The US Flag Code.  The latter code is a guide for civilians who wish to properly honor our beloved flag. It carries no penalties or enforcement procedures.  As such, it described not as a law, but as a guide for behavior. It does not attempt to anticipate every possible flag display situation. Rather, it provides a guide against which situations not contained within it may be measured.
In a report titled "The United States Flag: Federal Law Relating to Display and Associated Questions" published by the Library of Congress Congressional Research Service, John R. Luckey, Legislative Attorney, American Law Division, writes:

"Thus, the Flag Code does not prescribe any penalties for non-compliance nor does it include enforcement provisions; rather the Code functions simply as a guide to be voluntarily followed by civilians and civilian groups.'
Federal law stipulates many aspects of flag etiquette. The section of law dealing with American Flag etiquette is generally referred to as the Flag Code. Some general guidelines from the Flag Code answer many of the most common questions:
The flag should be lighted at all times, either by sunlight or by an appropriate light source.
The flag should be flown in fair weather, unless the flag is designed for inclement weather use.
The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal.
The flag should not be used for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top.
The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard.
The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, fireman, policeman and members of patriotic organizations.
The flag should never have any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind placed on it, or attached to it.
The flag should never be used for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms. To store the flag it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.
The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary.
When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.
The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.
The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise.
The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free.
The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery.
The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way.
The flag should never be used as a covering for a ceiling.
The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature.
The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, or carrying, or delivering anything.
The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever.   It should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs and the like, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard.  Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown.
No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform.   However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations.
The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a LIVING THING.   Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica should be worn on the left lapel near the heart. The U.S. Code does not address the positioning of the flag patch. It is appropriate to wear an American flag patch on the left or right sleeve. When worn on the left sleeve, the union would appear towards the front and the stripes would run horizontally toward the back. When worn on the right sleeve, it is considered proper to reverse the design so that the union is at the observer’s right to suggest that the flag is flying in the breeze as the wearer moves forward.

 
The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.
In a Parade
 
A color guard leads off the parade with the American flag and maybe other symbolic flags. The American flag should be centered in front of the others or carried to their right. During a parade there might be several participants with our flag, so it's appropriate to salute only the first one as it passes by.  At that moment, everyone should show respect by standing at attention with their right hand over their hearts. Those in uniform give their appropriate formal salute.
 
Clark Rogers is the director of educational programs with the National Flag Foundation and says if you're carrying the flag; it should be out in front of you.  "The flag is carried essentially straight up and down or at roughly a 30-degree angle going up,"
 
Rogers says. "The thing about carrying a flag is it's always carried upright, never dipped under any conditions whatsoever."  Dipping the flag is a sign of disrespect.
 
If it's displayed on a vehicle, it should not be draped over the hood, top or sides.  "It's on the right front fender of the vehicle so it's always to its own right -- that's the law,"  Rogers says. "If it's on a window or the rear of the car, it would be on the opposite side, on the left of the car."
 
Floats have different rules of flag display.  "An American flag should never be on a float unless it's on a pole so that it can fly freely," Rogers says. "It's a sign of freedom. The flag code says the flag should never be draped over anything."
 
Read a more comprehensive set of flag etiquette rules for display of the American Flag by linking to;   http://www.usa-flag-site.org/etiquette-display.shtml
 
 
Always remember:  (US Flag Code)

"No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America." Section 8
"The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing." Section 8j