As Americans celebrate the 4th of July many are likely to put up festive decorations. Unfortunately, if those decorations include one or more American flags there is a good chance that people violate the U.S. Flag Code. The Flag Code gives specific instructions on how to display, store and ultimately destroy an American flag. Section 8 of the U.S. Flag Code is titled “Respect for the flag” and includes these guidelines:
(a) The flag should never be displayed with union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.
(b) The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise.
(c) The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free.
(d) The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free. Bunting of blue, white, and red, always arranged with the blue above,the white in the middle, and the red below, should be used for covering a speaker’s desk, draping in front of the platform, and for a decoration in general.
(e) The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way.
(f) The flag should never be used as a covering for a ceiling.
(g) The flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature.
(h) The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
However, it seems like many Americans are ignorant of the etiquette laid out in the U.S. Flag Code, and they proudly desecrate the flag in misguided attempts at patriotism.
This 4th of July feel free to celebrate America with red, white and blue decorations, but if you truly love America don’t disrespect the flag.
Some examples of how NOT to use the flag are below. You can find even more in this Pinterest Board.
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Kim Z. Dale 