The flag can be flown any day of the year, but especially on these holidays:

• New Year's Day (January 1)

• Martin Luther King's Birthday (third Monday in January)

• Inauguration Day (January 20)

• Abraham Lincoln's Birthday (February 12)

• President's Day (third Monday in February)

• George Washington's Birthday (February 22)

• Easter Sunday (variable)

• Army Day (April 6)

• Patriot's Day (third Monday in April - regional holiday in New England)

• V-E Day (May 8)

• Mother's Day (second Sunday in May)

• Armed Forces Day (third Saturday in May)

• Memorial Day (traditional - May 30)

• Memorial Day (observed - last Monday in May; half-staff from sunrise to noon, then full-staff)

• Flag Day (June 14)

• Father's Day (third Sunday in June)

• Independence Day (July 4)

• Purple Heart Day (August 7)

• V-J Day (August 14)

• National Aviation Day (August 19)

• Labor Day (first Monday in September)

• Patriot Day (September 11 - half-staff from sunrise to sundown)

• Constitution Day (September 17)

• Gold Star Mother's Day (last Sunday in September)

• Columbus Day (second Monday in October)

• Navy Day (October 27)

• Election Day (first Tuesday after the first Monday in November)

• Marine Corp Day (November 10)

• Veteran's Day (fourth Monday in October; November 11)

• Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November)

• Pearl Harbor Day (December 7)

• The flag should be raised and lowered by hand on a flagpole. While raising it, unfurl it and hoist it quickly to the peak of the pole. It should be lowered slowly and ceremoniously.
  
  

• The flag should never be allowed to touch the ground or floor.
  
  

• In a public gathering, in a lecture hall, auditorium, church, etc., the flag may be displayed on the wall above and behind the speaker. If flown from a staff on the speaker's platform or pulpit, it should be to the speaker's right and any other flags should be on his left. However, if the flag is displayed on the floor rather than the platform, on a level with the audience, it should be placed to the right of the audience.
  
  

• When displaying the flag on a wall, either horizontally or vertically, the blue field should be uppermost and to the flag's own right, to the observer's left.
  
  

• When displaying the flag over the middle of the street, it should be suspended vertically with the blue field to the north on an east-west street and to the east on a north-south street.
  
  

• When displaying the flag suspended over a sidewalk from a rope extending from the house to a pole at the edge of the sidewalk, the flag should be hoisted out from the building toward the pole with the blue field first.
  
  

• When used to cover a casket, the flag should be placed so that the blue field is at the head and over the left shoulder. The flag should not be lowered into the grave or allowed to touch the ground.
  
  

• If the flag is displayed from a staff projected from a window sill, balcony or front of a building, the blue field should go to the peak of the staff.
  
  

• When displaying the flag as a decal on the right side of a vehicle (bus, truck, plane, etc.), the blue field should be on the right.
  
  

• When the flag is worn as a patch on the right arm, the blue field should be on the right. However, use on the left arm is preferable, with the blue field on the left.
  
  

It is not illegal or improper to fly any flag (state, ethnic group, organization, etc.) alone but it is always preferable to display the US flag at the same time.

When carried in a procession with another flag or flags, the American flag should be at the right front of the column. When there is a line of other flags, the American flag should be in front of the center of that line.

When a number of flags are grouped and displayed from staffs, the flag of the US should be in the center or at the highest point of the group. When displayed with another flag from crossed staffs, the flag of the US should be on the right (the flag's own right), and its staff should be in front of the staff of the other flag.

The US flag is raised before all other flags and lowered last.

When flags of states or cities or pennants of societies are flown on the same halyard with the flag, the flag should always be at the peak. When flown from adjacent staffs, the American flag should be raised first and lowered last.

If displaying a group of flags together in a row, the order from left to right is: American flag, other national flags in alphabetical order, state flags, county and city flags, organizational flags and personal flags.

When the flags of the Armed forces are displayed, they should be arranged (from the viewpoint of the observer facing them) from left to right as Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard.

When displaying a group of flags, the American flag should only be in the center if the center pole is higher than the others.

Men and women should stand and salute the flag at the following times:

• At the moment the flag passes in a parade or review.

• Facing the flagpole during the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the flag.

• Facing the flag when the National Anthem is played. If the flag is not displayed, all those present should face toward the music.

• During the saying of the Pledge of Allegiance.

To properly fold a flag, two people should face each other, each holding one end of the flag. Stretch it horizontally and fold in half lengthwise. Fold the flag in half lengthwise again, making sure the blue field is on the outside with edges held together. While one person holds the flag by the blue field, the other starts at the opposite end making a triangular fold. Continue to fold in triangles until the entire flag is in a triangle. Tuck the loose edge into the pocket formed by the folds so that only the blue field and white stars can be seen.

"Half-staff" is the point midway between the top and bottom of the flagstaff. The flag is flown at half-staff by order of the President of the United States upon the death of principle figures in the national or state government, other officials, or foreign dignitaries, as a mark of respect to their memory. The governor of a state, territory, or possession may also proclaim that the national flag be flown at half-staff.

When flown at half-staff, the flag should be hoisted to the peak, then immediately lowered to the half-staff position. It should be raised to the peak again for a moment before it is lowered for the day.

On Memorial Day, the flag should fly at half-staff from sunrise until noon, and at full-staff from noon until sunset.

If one flag is at half-staff in mourning, other flags flown with it should also be at half-staff.

When a flag is old, worn, tattered, or frayed and no longer is in a condition befitting a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed privately in a dignified matter, preferably by burning. Many veteran and civic organizations, such as the American Legion or local VFW, will properly dispose of a flag at no cost, or can put you in contact with an approved disposal facility.

A flag can be made of nylon, cotton, polycotton, polyester, or two-ply spun polyester, depending on its use.

It is acceptable to fly an older flag with fewer than 50 stars.

A Vexillologist is an expert on flags and ensigns. It comes from "vexillum" (plural is "vexilla"), which is a military standard or flag used ty ancient Roman troops.

Yes. They measure 5' x 9 1/2", rather than 5' x 8'.

Clean your flag regularly and inspect it to keep it in good repair. Do not place your flag where the wind will whip it against anything, and do not expose it to bad weather. Trimming and re-hemming torn ends will also help extend the life of your flag.

Synthetic material flags can be hand washed with cold or warm water and mild detergent, then rinsed and laid flat to dry. A wet flag should never be folded or rolled up.

Natural fiber flags should be dry-cleaned. Many dry cleaners will dry clean an American flag at no charge.

The flag should be at least 1/4 of the height of the pole.

Flagpole      Flag
20'................3'x5', 4'x6'
25'................4'x6', 5'x8'
30'................5'x8', 6'x10'
40'-45'..........6'x10', 8'x12'
50'................8'x12', 10'x15'
60'-65'..........10'x15', 10'x19'
70'-80'..........10'x19', 12'x18'
90'-100'.......20'x30', 30'x60'