flag etiquette

M

MGB

New member
I'm almost too embarassed to ask this question, but what is the proper way to display the flag when it is affixed to a wall? The arena where I play hockey has two large flags affixed over each rink. Are the stars supposed to be to the left or to the right when viewed?
 
The stars should be on the top left from the most common viewing angle. This is true for both horizontal and vertical display.
 
Stars should be to your left when viewed, regardless of whether hung by hoist (short side) or fly (long side). US flag always takes precedence over others, and should be either higher or to the right (left as viewed) of other flags.



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Panzerführer

Die Wahrheit ist eine Perle. Werfen sie nicht vor die Säue.
 
OK, here's a trick question. What if the flag is suspended from the middle of the auditorium, or is across a street during a parade?

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"...and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one."
Luke 22:36
"An armed society is a polite society."
Robert Heinlein
 
BTW: hate to show my Texaness, but Texas is the only state that may fly it's flag at the same level as the US. Why? Because it is the only state that was recognized as an independent nation by the United States! Other states like Hawaii, and California, ect. were independent for a while, but only Texas recieved recognition from the U.S. Congress. The proper ettiquette though is the US flag is still to the Right, and the Texas is to the left on the same level. Just some trivia for Texans to be proud, and for others to get upset over!
 
Auditorium: display as above when viewed from the north or east depending on the orientation of the auditorium.

Parade: Display as above from the forward direction of the parade.
 
Mal H -

You seem pretty sure of your facts, so guess I'll have to go scurrying to check mine. I thought the star field was always oriented north or east...

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"...and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one."
Luke 22:36
"An armed society is a polite society."
Robert Heinlein
 
The main viewing angle is the deciding factor. When it can be viewed from any direction, then it should look proper when viewed from either north or east. That is, the union (stars) is always on the flag's right as viewed from those directions. Of course if the flag is hanging from the north end of an auditorium, then it would be reversed, with the union on the west side.
 
Mal H -

Phhew. Made me work for this one. As per Title 36, United States Code, Chapter 10, as ammended by P.L. 344, 94th Congress, Paragraph 175(j):

"When the flag is displayed over the middle of the street, it should be suspended vertically with the union to the north in an east and west street or to the east in a north and south street."

While not specifically covered by the USC, I would submit that display in the middle of an auditorium the same rules would apply.

For more flag info:

www.legion.org/flagcode.htm

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"...and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one."
Luke 22:36
"An armed society is a polite society."
Robert Heinlein
 
You're right. When I was posting, I thought the question was about a flag in a parade, not over it. I was thinking of a band, for instance, carrying the flag as a banner not on a staff. But, as it turns out, that was wrong also. The flag should only be carried on a staff in a parade even if it's on a float.
 
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Bulldawg: NRA, GOA, TSRA, Shiner Bock Connoisseur.
Bulldawg's Firearms Page
 
An oft overlooked source of all kinds of good things is your everyday, basic Boy Scouts of America handbook.

I'd suggest anybody looking for "how to display the flag," "how to start a fire," "how to ..." pick one up.

Very under-rated and one of the most basic "good guy" livin' book out there.
 
another good source is the VFW...they put out small booklets on flag display.
vets do a lot for this country..please support and recognize them
 
Also note that if the US flag is displayed with flags of other nations, all of the national flags must be displayed at the same height. The flag of the home country will usually be the rightmost flag, ie if you are in Japan, the Japanese flag would be displayed in the rightmost spot. Displaying the flags of other nations is some what simpler because unlike the US flag, most other flags are symetrical.

Also, flying the US flag upside down is a disress symbol, if you fly the US flag upside down, you must fly all other flags upside down as well. It is not disrespectful to fly the US flag upside down, but it may be considered so with other national flags.
 
True, the flag can be flown upside down in times of dire distress. So there is a fairly good possibility that we may all need to fly our flags upside down next November 8th.
 
Hey All,

The only time you might see the flag with the stars on the right is when it is on the right sleeve of U.S. servicemen and women. This is because the army wanted the flag to look like it was "flying" when our soldiers are marching forward, whichever sleeve it is on. That is why the flag is "backwards" sometimes on pictures of soldiers. Just a little trivia. Take care.
 
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