THE CORRECT DISPLAY OF THE STARS 



AND STRIPES 



WHILE there is no federal law 

 in force pertaining to the man- 

 ner of displaying, hanging, or 

 saluting the United States flag, or pre- 

 scribing any ceremonies that should be 

 observed, there are many regulations and 

 usages of national force bearing on the 

 subject. 



In raising the flag it should never be 

 rolled up and hoisted to the top of the 

 staff before unfurling. Instead, the fly 

 should be free during the act of hoist- 

 ing, which should be done quickly. It 

 should be taken in slowly and with dig- 

 nity. It should not be allowed to touch 

 the ground on shore, or the deck of a 

 ship, nor should it be permitted to trail 

 in the water or in the dust. It should 

 not be hung where it can be contami- 

 nated or soiled easily, or draped over 

 chairs or benches for seating purposes, 

 and no object or emblem of any kind 

 should be placed upon it or above it. 



A common but regrettable practice at 

 public meetings is to drape the flag like a 

 tablecloth over the speaker's table and 

 then to place on the flag a pitcher of ice 

 water, flowers, books, etc. Another 

 equally careless practice, and, unfortu- 

 nately, quite common, is to tie small 

 United States flags to the bottom of a 

 stage curtain ; when the curtain is raised 

 the flags are lifted aloft and are effect- 

 ively displayed, but when the curtain is 

 lowered, so that the stage scenes may be 

 shifted, the flags trail in the dust of the 

 stage floor. 



The flag should not be festooned over 

 doorways or arches. Always let the flag 

 hang straight. Do not tie it in a bow 

 knot. Where colors are desired for dec- 

 orative purposes, use red, white, and blue 

 bunting. 



The flag should not be hoisted upside 

 down, other than as a signal of distress 

 at sea, when it may, if necessary to ac- 

 centuate the distress and make it easily 

 recognized at a distance, be knotted in 

 the middle of its length, forming what 

 is called a "weft." 



International usage forbids the display 

 of the flag of one nation above that of 

 any other with which it is at peace. Such 

 an act is considered an insult in times of 

 peace, and is always followed by a de- 

 mand for an explanation and apology. 

 When the flags of two or more nations 

 are displayed, they should be on separate 

 staffs, or on separate halyards of equal 

 size and on the same level. 



The flag should never be raised or low- 

 ered by any mechanical appliance. 



When the national colors are passing 

 on parade, or in review, the spectator 

 should, if walking, halt, and if sitting, 

 arise and stand at attention and uncover. 



When flags are used in unveiling a 

 statue or monument they should not be 

 allowed to fall to the ground, but should 

 be carried aloft to wave out, forming a 

 distinctive feature during the remainder 

 of the ceremony. 



Where the national flag is displayed 

 with State or other flags, it should be 

 given the place of honor on the right. 

 Its use should be confined as much as 

 possible to its display upon the staff. 

 Where used as a banner, the union should 

 fly to the north in streets running east 

 and west, and to the east in streets 

 running north and south. 



Old, faded, or worn-out flags should 

 not be used for banners or other second- 

 ary purposes. 



When no longer fit for display, the flag 

 should be destroyed privately, preferably 

 by burning or other methods lacking the 

 suggestion of irreverence or disrespect. 



Over only three buildings in America 

 does the national flag fly officially night 

 and day continuously — over the east and 

 west fronts of the National Capitol 

 and over the adjacent House of Repre- 

 sentatives and Senate Office Buildings. 

 The two emblems over the Capitol 

 (storm-flag size) are replaced every six 

 weeks, the wear and tear, due to wind 

 and rain, being excessive. 



Over the Senate and House of Repre- 

 sentative wings of the Capitol the flags 



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