American Flag Protocol

News & Society

  • Author Eddie Hill
  • Published December 1, 2010
  • Word count 605

Did you know that there's proper etiquette that you're presupposed to follow when it comes to using, displaying and saluting American flags? The etiquette rules are established by the United States Flag Code, a United States law. Though it is the law, failure to comply with the etiquette is not going to get you punished. Nonetheless, following correct etiquette in relation to the American flag exhibits respect for the nation and the laws that we observe here.

The majority of the etiquette guidelines for American flags have to do with exhibiting respect to the flag. This implies respect for the American lifestyle, for the troopers who've given their lives in direction of this way of life and for the people residing in the country with us today. A serious sign of disrespect of the flag can be to use the flag as decoration for something apart from a coffin. For instance, wearing the flag as clothes or utilizing it as a tablecloth is taken into account improper etiquette.

Other signs of respect for the flag embody leaving the flag the way it was supposed to be and display the flag properly. For example, you would not {want to add letters, branding or pictures to the flag. You want to depart the American flag because it is. You additionally wouldn't want to manipulate the flag in a fashion that's improper such as hanging it upside down or reducing it a lot that it touches the ground.

When the flag is displayed, there are specific different guidelines which are expected to be followed to take care of correct etiquette. That is especially true when the flag is displayed outdoors for the world to see. Correct etiquette for out of doors flags means that it is placed at full-staff (until a special occasion requires half-employees) and that no other flag ever hangs above it. Flags are normally displayed outside throughout the day solely but the uncommon authorized nighttime show of the flag requires correct lighting. Proper etiquette says that outdoor American flags are raised briskly, lowered slowly and saluted when they are raised or lowered.

What about when the flag is displayed indoors? There are, after all, proper guidelines for that as well. Good American Flag etiquette requires good placement of the flag. The flag is always placed to the right of different flags, speakers and stands in order that it's at the highest place of honor. When hung with other flags it remains at the highest place of honor though this now means that it's at the highest, most central level of the flag display. And, in fact, the flag is always hung with the stars on top whether it is hung vertically or horizontally as the event demands.

Lastly, correct etiquette must be followed when saluting or parading the American flag. The identical fundamental rules apply in that the flag is on the right or in a central position. Common non-military residents ought to place their hand on their hearts when saluting the flag or saying the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Throughout the Pledge of Allegiance, it is correct to stand and face the flag.

These rules of etiquette are simply that. Though they're technically legislation, it could be thought as a violation of an individual's rights to imprison or fine them for not following the law. As such, these laws tend to be unenforced. As a substitute, they're strong solutions of how folks should treat and behave around American flags. Individuals who respect the flag are respecting the nation, the folks in the nation and the way of life represented in the country.

Eddie Hill (Uncle Flag) is a self proclaimed zealous patriot who owns an

American Flag Store.

Article source: https://articlebiz.com
This article has been viewed 601 times.

Rate article

Article comments

There are no posted comments.

Related articles