Compliments of
State Representative
Anita Astorino Kulik
45th Legislative District

DISTRICT OFFICE:
Coraopolis Office:
1350 5th Ave.
Coraopolis, PA 15108
(412) 264-4260
Fax: (412) 269-2767
https://www.pahouse.com/Kulik

For additional information regarding
the U.S. Flag, please visit: https://www.usflag.org/uscode36.html

In 1923, the United States adopted a flag code, which has been amended to instruct citizens on proper etiquette for treating, handling and displaying the U.S. flag. The code does not contain any penalties or enforcement provisions for non-compliance because its aim is to show people how to best honor our nation's flag. Below is an explanation of certain parts of the code, to help you treat the U.S. flag respectfully.

WHEN TO DISPLAY THE FLAG
You may fly the flag on any or every day, but below is a list of the most appropriate days to display the U.S. flag:

• New Year's Day - January 1
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Third Monday in January
• Inauguration Day - January 20
• Lincoln's Birthday - February 12
• Washington's Birthday - Third Monday in February
• Easter Sunday - Varies
• Mothers Day - Second Monday in May
• Peace Officers Memorial Day (half-staff) - May 15
• Armed Forces Day - Third Saturday in May
• Memorial Day (half-staff until noon) - Last Monday in May
• Flag Day - June 14
• Fathers Day - Third Sunday in June
• Independence Day - July 4
• Korean War Veterans Day (half-staff) - July 27
• Labor Day - First Monday in September
• Patriot Day (half-staff) - September 11
• Constitution Day - September 17
• Gold Star Mothers Day - Last Sunday in September
• Columbus Day - Second Monday in October
• Navy Day - October 27
• Election Day - First Tuesday in November
• Veterans Day - November 11
• Thanksgiving Day - Fourth Thursday in November
• National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (half-staff) - December 7
• Christmas Day - December 25

PROPER FLAG DISPLAYING
Most people know that you should never display the U.S. flag upside down except in cases of extreme distress, but here are some other guidelines you may not know about.

• Flag lapel pins should be worn on the left lapel to be closer to the heart.
• Flags displayed on a wall should be shown with the union (stars) uppermost and to the observer's left.
• In multi-national flag situations, the U.S. flag should be displayed first (to its own right) followed by the flags of all other countries (in alphabetical order and at equal height) to its left.
• The flag should always be at the top of a flag pole even when several flags are flown from the same pole. CLICK HERE for exceptions.
• The U.S. flag from a staff should be at the center and at the highest point when it is displayed among a group of subordinate flags, like those for states, schools and organizations.
• When used for an event and from a staff, the flag should be prominently displayed to the speakers' right (facing the crowd). All other flags should be displayed to the speaker's left.

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

When the Pledge of Allegiance is recited, all non-uniformed individuals should stand at attention facing the flag with their right hands over their hearts, military salute.

In processions, the flag should be to the right of the marchers. When other flags are included, the U.S. flag should be centered in front of the others or carried to their right.

During memorials, burials and funerals, the flag should lay over the casket with the blue field covering the head and left shoulder. The flag must not be lowered into the grave or allowed to touch the ground at any time.

The Flag at Half-Staff
The flag should be flown at half-staff only upon the death of principal figures of the U.S. government and state governors, as well as presidential declarations and certain holidays (see When to Display the Flag).

Private (i.e., businesses, organizations, military, etc.) and home flags may be lowered to honor someone who dies, but does not meet the above criteria. Public flags should remain at full staff to uphold the "nation in mourning" distinction.

To position the flag at half-staff, first raise the flag to the staff's peak for one second before lowering it to half-staff, which is halfway between the staff's top and bottom. Before removing it for the day, raise the flag again to the peak for one second.

FLAG FOLDING
The below steps explain how to correctly fold the U.S. flag. Keep in mind that you should always hold the flag horizontally.

1. Facing each other and holding on to each flag's end, two people stretch the flag at waist height horizontally and fold lengthwise in half.

2. Fold the flag lengthwise in half again. The edges should be held together with the union (stars) on the outside.

3. As one person holds the flag by the union, the other begins a triangular fold at the opposite end.

4. Continue the triangular fold until the flag is a triangle with only the union showing.

Flag Facts

• The U.S. Flag, adopted on June 14, 1777, is the fourth-oldest national flag in the world. Denmark's flag, adopted in 1219, is the oldest.
• The blue field on the U.S. flag is called the "union."
• On Memorial Day (the last Monday in May), to honor all who have died in battle, the flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon only, then raised to the top of the staff for the remainder of the day.
• June 14 was proclaimed Flag Day by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916 but it didn't receive its Congressional designation until 1949.

"No disrespect should be shown to the Flag of the United States of America." - U.S. Flag Code

"The flag stands for all that we hold dear - freedom, democracy, government of the people, by the people, and for the people." - Henry Cabot Lodge, 1915