What's Up, Doc? Rules on Displaying the U.S. Flag

By Randall Freeman, PhD

June 14 is Flag Day. It begins the three-week period that concludes on July 4, Independence Day. During these three weeks, we are asked to display our patriotism by flying our flag each day. There are firm guidelines for how and when to properly display our American flag. I have excerpted a few of those guidelines below.

On June 22, 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt approved House Joint Resolution 303, grouping the existing customs and rules governing the display and use of the flag of the United States by civilians. The law included provisions of the code adopted by the National Flag Conference, held in Washington, D.C. on June 14, 1923. The Federal Flag Code offers uniform guidelines for the proper display of and respect presented to the flag. The Flag Code does not propose 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.

The flag should not be displayed on days of inclement weather, except when an all-weather flag is displayed. The flag should be displayed daily on or near the main administration building of every public institution. It should be displayed during school days in or near every school. The flag should not be draped over the hood, top, sides, or back of a vehicle or of a railroad train or a boat. When the flag is displayed on an automobile, the staff should be fixed firmly to the chassis or clamped to the right fender.

When flown at half-staff, the flag should be first elevated to the peak for an instant and then slowly lowered to the half-staff position. The flag should be again raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day. By order of the President, the flag shall be flown at half-staff upon the death of major figures of the United States Government and the Governor of a state, territory, or possession, as a mark of respect to their memory.

In the event of the death of other officials or foreign dignitaries, the flag is to be displayed at half-staff according to Presidential commands. In the event of the death of a present or former official of the government of any state, territory, or possession of the United States or the death of a member of the Armed Forces from any State, territory, or possession of the United States, the Governor of that State, territory, or possession may proclaim that the flag shall be flown at half-staff, and the same authority is provided to the Mayor of the District of Columbia with respect to present or former officials of the District of Columbia and members of the Armed Forces from the District of Columbia.

According to the Flag Code, only the President of the United States. your state's Governor, and the Mayor of the District of Columbia can order the flag lowered to half-mast. If everyone were to half-mast the United States Flag at will, the symbolic value of that honor would be lost. An acceptable alternative is to display black crepe near the entrance to the public building, perhaps with a picture of the former mayor, police officer, or firefighter.

Let us citizens demonstrate our patriotism this summer by properly displaying our nation's flag. For complete guidelines, look up the complete Flag Code online.

Randy Freeman and his family have lived in Menifee since 1993. Randy teaches kindergarten in Perris and his lovely wife Karen teaches first grade here in Menifee at Freedom Crest Elementary School. They are the proud parents of four beautiful daughters: Daniela, 18, and 14-year-old triplets Sarah, Holly, and Megan. Other family members include dogs Scruffy, Mikko, & Max, 17-year-old cat Hunter, and turtle Tuttles. Randy earned his PhD in early childhood education in 2011 and has served on the Menifee Union School Board since 2008. Randy has wisely decided to delete the bit about being Karen's boss in order to continue living in his happy home. His column will appear here every other Tuesday.