FLAG FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

My flag touched the ground. Do I need to destroy it?

• No. While the flag code states "The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water or merchandise", there's no rule saying that a flag that slips has to immediately be burned. Of course, try to avoid having the flag touch the ground. If the flag has been dirtied, you should clean it well before returning it to use.

Can anyone stop me from displaying the flag?

• In 2006, the Freedom to display the American Flag Act of 2005 officially become law. This law basically says that no condo board, housing co-op, or residential real estate management group can restrict a person's right to display the American flag on their own residential property as long as the display jibes with federal law and reasonable.

Are there penalties for violating the Flag Code?

• No. For private citizens, the Flag Code serves as a guide to be followed on a purely voluntary basis to insure a proper respect for the flag. The Supreme Court has ruled that politically motivated violations of the Flag Code are protected by the First Amendment. The Flag Code has no provision for enforcement. No fines, no penalties. There is nothing law enforcement can do when the Flag Code is broken.

What do the colors red, white and blue of the American flag symbolize?

• The continental congress left no record to show why it chose the colors. However, in 1782, the Congress of the Confederation chose these same colors for the Great Seal of the United States and listed their meaning as follows: White to mean purity and innocence, Red - for valor and hardiness, Blue for vigilance, perseverance, and justice. According to the legend, George Washington interpreted the elements of the flag this way: the stars were taken from the sky, the red from the British colors, and the white stripes signified the secession from the home country. However, there is no official designation or meaning for the colors of the flag.

What do the American flag Stars and Stripes meaning?

• The star is the symbol of the heaven and the goals to which men can reach. The stripe is a symbol of the light coming from the sun.

Is Texas the only state flag allowed to fly at the same height as the US flag?

• No. This is an urban legend. All state flags may fly at the same height as the United States Flag. The United States flag must be on its right (the viewer's left), however. Texas's laws are consistent with those of the other states.

Do I have to fold my flag is the triangular fold for storage between uses?

• No. For storage purposes, you may use the ordinary rectangular fold and perhaps place your flag in a plastic bag. If the flag is affixed to a staff, you may roll the flag around the staff for storage. The triangular fold is not required but is traditional for display of the flag, often placed in a rectangular wooden display box. Any valued flag may be displayed in the triangular box. It is not exclusively for display of funeral flags.

When do I fly my flag at half-staff?

• May 15 - Peace Officers Memorial Day: Half-staff from sunrise to sunset.
• Last Monday in May - Memorial Day: The flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon.
• September 11 - Patriot Day: Half-staff from sunrise to sunset.
• Sunday, usually of week which October 9th falls - Fire Prevention Week: Half-staff from sunrise to sunset.
• December 7 - National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day: Half-staff from sunrise to sunset.

How can I show mourning if my flag is on fixed pole or staff and can't be half-masted?

• The flag rules make no provision for this. You can affix a streamer of black crepe to the staff immediately below the spearhead of the U.S. flag. It should be no wider than 1 foot, but may be less wide to match the proportionate of the flag. It should be about 1-1/2 times the hoist of the fly (the shorter dimension; the height of the flag). Attach a black streamer with a bow-knot to the spearhead (top) of the pole, allowing the streamer to fall naturally. Alternately, you can affix black bow-knots, with or without streamers, placed at the fastening points.

Have the "properly illuminated" rules been relaxed since 9/11 or for energy conservation?

• No. There has been no revision of the Flag Code and there has been no presidential Proclamation changing the guidelines for a respectful display of the flag at night. Section 6a: "when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness."

Why is the Flag patch "backwards" on Military uniforms?

• Army Regulation 670-1, "Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia, The regulations states that when authorized for application to the proper uniform the American flag patch is to be worn, right or left shoulder, so that the star field faces forward, or to the flag's own right. When worn in this manner, the flag is facing to the observer's right and gives the effect of the flag flying in the breeze as the wearer moves forward. The appropriate replica for the right shoulder sleeves is identified as the 'reverse side flag'.

Is displaying the flag horizontally, as before a football game a violation?

• Yes. It is contrary to the Flag Code, Section 8c, which reads: The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free.

Is it okay to fly a flag that was used to drape a coffin?

• The flag code makes no reference to this use. There is a difference of opinion. Some feel that once folded, it should remain so forever. Other experts feel that it would be an honor to display the flag again to show patriotism. Casket flags are 9-1/2'x5' which is almost twice larger than usual 3'X5' house flag.

Can my company fly the US flag at half-staff for a former employee?

• No. According to the Flag Code, only the President of the US or State Governor can order the US flag to half-staff. You can half-staff your company flag, which has the advantage of informing passersby and uniformed employees, clients, etc., that someone important to your company has died.

Is it proper to wash or mend a flag?

• Yes. If a flag is torn, it can be repaired, preferably by a professional or someone skilled in mending. If it is dirty, it can be washed, preferably by hand with a mild soap. If it faded or tattered beyond repair, or dirty beyond cleaning, then it time to replace the flag. Any flag that tattered on the fly end can be repaired if the stripes (cut off where the tatter begins) are still longer than the field. If you fold the flag in half and the field overlaps the frayed fly, then it is time for a new flag.

Where do you wear a lapel flag pin?

• Whereas a flag patch is restricted to military, emergency, and patriotic organizations; it appears the lapel flag pin is not restricted. Section 8j of the Flag Code reads: No part of the flag should be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, fireman, policeman, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and itself consider a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.

Is it appropriate to fly a flag that has fewer than 50 stars?

• Yes. Official United States flags are always considered living, active flags. From the Betsy Ross flag to the present 50-star flag, any flag that at some time was the official flag is still considered a living flag to be accorded all due respect.

When is it acceptable to fly the flag upside down?

• The flag code Title 4, Chapter 1 - Section 8a "The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property." Most individuals who served in military service of our nation should recognized this signal. In most cases, people hang the flag upside down as a way to protest issues with the government. It is considered an exercise of the First Amendment right. Though hanging the flag upside down is not desecration, the act is still frowned upon.

How long will an outdoor flag last?

• Weather, airborne contaminants and the level of care people give a flag all play major role in the preservation of a flag. The major enemies of a flag and lengthen its life are wind, sun and neglect. We cannot control the weather, but we can take care of the flag and lengthens its life. If a storm is approaching, it is imperative to take the flag down before the storm and do not re-fly the flag until the storm passed. If the flag is left up in very high winds, you can expect the flag to fray at the fly ends. No two flags received identical wear as weather conditions vary and so does the life of each flag. Occasionally wash the flag in warm mild detergent water, letting the flag dry thoroughly before storing it. We suggest you have the flag repaired at the first sign of frying and have back-up flags, rotating them often.