The Pledge of Allegiance and The National Anthem

The pledge of allegiance should be rendered by standing at attention, facing the flag, and saluting. When the national anthem is played or sung, citizens should stand at attention and salute at the first note and hold the salute through the last note. The salute is directed to the flag, if displayed, and otherwise to the music.

How to display your flag in mourning

To place your flag at half-staff, hoist it to the peak for an instant, then lower it to a position halfway between the top and bottom of the staff. The flag is to be raised again to the peak for a moment before it is lowered. On Memorial Day the flag is displayed at half-staff until noon and at full-staff from noon to sunset.  When used to cover a casket, the flag should be placed with the union at the head and over the left shoulder. It should not be lowered into the grave.

In the event of the death of principal figures of the US government and the governor of the state, territory or possession, the president may order the US flag to be flown at half-staff  as respect for their memory. In the event of the death of other officials or foreign dignitaries, the US flag is displayed at half-staff in accordance with recognized customs or practices, not inconsistent with law. 

The governor of a state, territory or possession of the United States may proclaim that the national flag be flown at half-staff in the event of the death of a present or former official of that state, territory or possession.

How to display your flag outdoors

When your flag is displayed from a staff projecting from a window, balcony, or a building, the union should be at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half staff. When it is displayed from the same flagpole with another flag (that of a state, community, society or Scout unit) the flag of the United States must always be at the top. One exception is that the church pennant may be flown above the flag during church services for Navy personnel when conducted by a Naval chaplain on a ship at sea.

When the flag is displayed over a street, it should be hung vertically, with the union to the north or east. If the flag is suspended over a sidewalk, the flag's union should be farthest from the building.

When flown with flags of states, communities, or societies on separate flagpoles of the same height and in a straight line, the flag of the United States is always placed in the position of honor to its own right. The other flags may be smaller, but none may be larger. No other flag should be placed above it. The flag of the United States is always the first flag raised and the last flag lowered.

When flown with the national banner of other countries, each flag must be displayed from a separate pole of the same height. Each flag should be the same size. They should be raised and lowered simultaneously. The flag of one nation may not be displayed above that of another nation.

How to raise and lower your flag

Your flag should be raised briskly and lowered slowly and ceremoniously. Our national flag should be displayed on all days that there is no danger the weather will damage it. It not only shows respect for our national symbol, but prolongs the life of the flag. It is customary to fly the flag from sunrise to sunset on buildings or on a stationary flag pole in the open. However, it may also be flown at night if it is properly illuminated with a spot light. The flag of the United States of America is saluted as it is hoisted and lowered. The salute is held until the flag is unsnapped from the halyard or through the last note of music, whichever is the longest.

 

How to display your flag indoors

During display, your flag is accorded the place of honor, always positioned to its own right. Place it to the right of the speaker or staging area or sanctuary. Other flags should be to the left. The flag of the United States of America should be at the center and at the highest point of any group when a number of flags of states, localities, or societies are grouped for display. When one flag is used with the flag of the United States of America and the staffs are crossed, the flag of the United States is placed on its own right with its staff in front of the other flag. When displaying your flag against a wall, vertically or horizontally, its union (stars) should be at the top, to the flag's own right, and to the observer's left.

How to parade and salute your flag

When carried in a procession, your flag should be to the right of the marchers. When other flags are carried, the flag of the United States may be centered in front of the others or carried to their right. When it passes in a procession, or when it is hoisted or lowered, all should face the flag and salute. When saluting the flag, everyone comes to attention. Those in uniform give the appropriate formal salute. Citizens not in uniform salute by placing their right hand over their heart. Men with head cover should remove it and hold it to their left shoulder, with hand over their heart. Members of organizations in formation salute upon command of the person in charge.