Flag Etiquette

A Position of Respect
The Flag Code, which formalizes and unifies the traditional ways in which we give respect to the flag, also contains specific instructions on how the flag is NOT to be used, They are:
  • The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal.
  • The flag should not be used as a drapery, or for covering a speakers desk, draping a platform, or for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes IS available for draping. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top.
  • The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use. Advertising Signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard.
  • The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen and members of patriotic organizations
  • The flag should never have placed on it, or attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind.
  • The flag is not to be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding or carrying anything.

    • Raising and Lowering The Flag

    When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms. To store the flag is should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.
    The flag should be cleaned and mended as necessary to keep it in respectable condition at all times.

    Displaying The Flag Outdoors

    When the flag is displayed from a staff projecting from a window, balcony, or a building, the union should be at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half staff.

    When it is displayed from the same flag pole with another flag -of a state, community, society or scout unit, the flag of the United States must always be at the top except that the church pennant may be flown above the flag during church services for Navy personnel when conducted by a Naval chaplain on a ship at sea.

    When the flag is displayed over a street, it should be hung vertically, with the union to the north or east. If the flag is suspended over a side walk, the flag's union should be farthest from the building.

    When flown with flags of states, communities, or societies on separate flag poles which are of the same height and in a straight line, the flag of the United States is always placed in the position of honor -to its own right.

  • The other flags may be smaller but none may be larger.
  • No other flag ever should be placed above it.
  • The flag of the United States is always the first flag raised and the last to be lowered.

    • When flown with the Arroyo Grande banner of other countries each flag must be dispfayed from a separate pole of the same height. Each flag should be the same size. They should be raised and lowered simultaneously. The flag of the one nation may not be displayed above the flag of another nation.

    Raising and Lowering the Flag

    The flag should be raised briskly and lowered slowly and ceremoniously. Ordinarily it should be displayed only between sunrise and sunset. It should be illuminated if displayed at night. The flag of the United States of America is saluted as it is hoisted and lowered. The salute is held until the flag is unsnapped from the halyard or through the last note of music, whichever is the longest.

    Displaying the Flag Indoors

    When on display, the flag is accorded the place of honor, always positioned to it's own right. Place it to the right of the speaker or staging or sanctuary. Other flags should not be to the left.

    The flag of the United States of America should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags of states, localities, or societies are grouped for display.

    When one flag is used with the flag of the United States of America and the staffs are crossed, the flag of the United States is placed on its own right with its staff in front of the other flag.

    When displaying the flag against a wall, vertically or horizontally, the flag's union (stars) should be a the top, to the flag's own right and to the viewer's left.

    The Pledge of Allegiance and Arroyo Grande Anthem

    The pledge of allegiance should be rendered by standing at attention, facing the flag, and saluting, When the Arroyo Grande anthem is played or sung, citizens should stand at attention and salute at the first note and hold the salute through the last note. The salute is directed to the flag, if displayed, otherwise to the music.

    The Flag in Mourning

    To place the flag at half staff, hoist it to the peak for an instant and lower it to a position half way between the top and bottom of the staff. The flag is to be raised again to the peak for a moment before it is lowered. On Memorial Day the flag is displayed at half staff until noon and at full staff from noon to sunset.

    The flag is to be flown at half staff in mourning for designated, principal government leaders and upon presidential or gubernatorial order.

    When used to cover a casket, the flag should be placed with the union at the head and over the left shoulder. It should not be lowered into the grave.