Happy Fourth of July, everyone!
Are you planning to display the American flag on this holiday? If you are, you may be wondering how to display it properly. Most citizens expect the flag to be treated with respect, noting that the flag is a symbol of core values and ideals our people have aspired to—and died for—since the birth of our nation. Standards were written into law by Congress in 1942; the federal code does not impose penalties for improper handling–perhaps because freedom of expression is one of those core values. Respect, however, is a sign of our personal character.

Here are the basics set forth in the code:

Ideally, an American flag on your house should hang from a staff that angles out from the front wall or a windowsill or balcony. It’s a good idea to screw a bracket made for holding a flagstaff to the trim. Fasten it securely and so it won’t become soiled or damaged. Do not allow the flag to touch the ground, floor, water, or anything else beneath it. It’s also appropriate to hang the flag from a horizontal staff.

Whether the flag hangs from an angled or horizontal staff, be sure the union or canton (the rectangle with the stars) is at the peak. (Hanging the flag with the union down signals extreme distress.)

When the flag is displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union should be at the top and to your left. When displayed in a window, the flag should be hung so that the union is on the left when you see

The American flag is meant to be a flag, not apparel, drapery, ceiling decoration, a bed spread, or a receptacle for carrying or holding something. If you wear a lapel flag, pin it on the left side, near your heart.

Though it is customary to fly the flag from sunrise to sunset, the U.S. Code say’s, “when a patriotic effect is desired,� you can display it around the clock. If you do, you should illuminate it with a light.

If you display the American flag next to other flags or pennants, place it on the right side of a single flag or at the center of a group and slightly higher than the other flags. If an American flag is on the same staff as other flags, it should always be at the top. The gist is that other flags should not be in positions of greater prominence or honor.

When displayed from a car, the flagstaff should be fixed or clamped firmly to the vehicle, ideally on the right side. The flag should not be draped over the hood, top, sides, or back. The same holds true for a flag displayed on a float in a parade. Don’t carry the flag flat or horizontally.

Certainly, the U.S. Code is more strict about some aspects of handling the flag than contemporary culture demands. Fundamentally, if your intention is to express pride in our ideals and respect for those who came before us, you cannot go wrong.

© Don Vandervort, 2001-2006, HomeTips.com

Original post by Head Homeboy