MAY 2015 SUNRAYS | 11
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The purpose of this article is to
provide information concerning the
protocol related to flying the United
States flag.
The U. S. Congress has specified
the rules pertaining to display and
care of the United States flag in
U. S. Codes Title 4 and 36. These
rules, commonly referred as “The
Flag Code”, are basically:
• Always fly the U. S. flag with
respect and in the place of honor.
The U. S. flag is never dipped in honor of anyone or any-
thing. No other flag is displayed above the U. S. flag – in
accordance with international protocol.
• When displayed with other flags, the U. S. flag is either on
the right in a line of flags, in the center if in front of a line
of flags, or in a position above other flags.
• When displayed in a hall or auditorium, the U. S. flag is to
the right of the podium.
• The flag is displayed only during daylight unless properly
lighted, and is not displayed in inclement weather unless
designed for weather.
• Never allow the flag to touch the ground.
At the Welcome Station at Sun City Texas, the U. S. flag is
displayed on the right since the flags are in one line. At the
corner of Del Webb and Sun City Boulevards, the U. S. flag is
displayed in the center since the center flag pole is in front of
the other two flag poles. At the Veterans Memorial, the flag
is in the center since it is higher than the six service flags.
The U. S. flag displayed on a staff attached to the house at a
resident’s home should be to the right of any other flag as you
face the street.
The U. S. flag is flown at half-staff by order of the President
upon the death of principal figures of the U. S. government,
or by the Governor of a state in the event of the death of a
present or former official of the State government. Quite of-
ten the President’s directive specifies the U. S. flag be flown
at half-staff at federal buildings and on federal installations
leaving some discretion as relates to other locations.
The U. S. flag is also flown at half-staff on May 15 – Peace
Officers Memorial Day; the last Monday in May – Memorial
Day; July 27 – Korean Veterans Day; September 11 – Patri-
ots Day, and December 7 – Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
Members of the Veterans Memorial Advisory Group lower and
raise the flags at the Welcome Station while the Pulte staff
does the same for the flags in front of the sales center. When
the U. S. flag is at half-staff, all other flags at that location
are also flown at half-staff.
Additional information concerning the U. S. flag can be found
on the Internet at
.
Flying the Stars and Stripes
By Chuck Graham
