RENDERING HONOR TO THE AMERICAN FLAG

 

Rendering honor to The American Flag is a symbol of loyalty and patriotism, and proper etiquette is a way to show respect for the flag and the nation.

 

When pledging allegiance to The American Flag, individuals should be standing to demonstrate respect for the flag and the nation it represents.

 

When pledging allegiance to The American Flag, individuals should stand at attention, face the flag, and place the right hand over the heart.  

 

When pledging allegiance to The American Flag, individuals unable to stand may remain seated.  It is acceptable to face the flag and to place the right hand over the heart while seated.

 

While standing, when placing the right hand over the heart, the left hand should remain at the side.  The left hand should also be empty unless it is being used to hold a removed headdress (hat/cap).

 

While remaining seated, when placing the right hand over the heart, the left hand should remain in the lap.  The left hand should also be empty unless it is being used to hold a removed headdress.

 

For civilian women, the removal of a headdress is optional.

 

For men in civilian attire wearing a headdress, the headdress should be removed with the right hand and held at the left shoulder while keeping the right hand over the heart.

 

Veterans have the option of rendering the military salute or removing the headdress with the right hand and holding it at the left shoulder while keeping the right hand over the heart.

 

Individuals in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute.

 

During the playing of The National Anthem, it is customary and considered respectful for individuals to place the right hand over the heart and remove the headdress.  However, it is not mandatory and there are no laws requiring it.  It is a traditional gesture, but ultimately it is a personal choice.

 

During the playing of The National Anthem, individuals should be standing to demonstrate respect for the nation it represents.

 

During the playing of The National Anthem, individuals should stand at attention, face the flag or the music, and place the right hand over the heart.  

 

During the playing of The National Anthem, individuals unable to stand may remain seated.  It is acceptable to face the flag or the music and to place the right hand over the heart while seated.

 

During a formal event when The Flag is presented or posted, all individuals are expected to stand, face the flag, and render the proper salute as it enters and remain so until The Flag has been placed in a fixed position.

 

During a formal event when The Flag is presented or posted, individuals unable to stand may remain seated.  It is acceptable to face the flag and render the proper salute as it enters and remain so until The Flag has been placed in a fixed position.

 

During a formal event when The Flag is retired, all individuals are expected to stand, face the flag, and render the proper salute as it exits and remain so until The Flag has been carried past them.

 

During a formal event when The Flag is retired, individuals unable to stand may remain seated.  It is acceptable to face the flag and render the proper salute as it exits and remain so until The Flag has been carried past them.

 

The Flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or draperies.

 

The Flag should never be displayed upside down unless trying to convey a sign of distress or great danger.

 

The Flag should never touch anything beneath it such as the floor, the ground, water, or merchandise.

 

The Flag, in poor condition, should be destroyed in a dignified, discreet, and respectful manner, preferably by burning.

 

The Flag, in poor condition, may be deposited in the flag receptacle at Post 71.

 

The Flag, in poor condition, deposited in the flag receptacle at Post 71, will be disposed of properly during a Flag Disposal Ceremony.