THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Care & Respect

Flag Facts

Flag Holidays

Displaying the Flag

Formal Occasions

Folding the Flag

Flying at Half-Staff

The U.S. flag should always be treated with the utmost care and respect. Remember, the flag represents a living country and, as such, is considered a living thing.

1. Always display the flag with the blue union field up - never display the flag upside down, except as a distress signal.

2. Always hold the flag carefully - never let it touch anything beneath it: the ground, the floor, water or merchandise.

3. Always keep the fag aloft and free - never carry it flat or horizontally.

4. Always keep the flag clean and safe - never let it become torn, soiled or damaged.

5. Always dispose of a worn flag properly, preferably by burning it.

6. Always treat the flag with respect. Never use it for advertising purposes. Never embroider it on household items or pieces of clothing. Never use it as part of a costume or athletic uniform. However, it is proper to attach a flag patch to the uniform of military personnel, fire fighters, police officers and members of other patriotic organizations - provided the patch is properly affixed. (Note: "Properly affixed" is best understood by referring to the flag code.)