American Flag Etiquette

In so many of my photos you will find an American flag. I have just always been drawn to it as a form of iconography and Americana. Over the years I have learned the hard way about having proper flag etiquette, this year I wanted to share a bit of proper flag etiquette as provided by the VFW. The following is an except from the VFW.

Basic American Flag Etiquette

On Same Staff 
U.S. flag at peak, above any other flag. 

Grouped 
U.S. flag goes to its own right. Flags of other nations are flown at same height. 

Marching 
U.S. flag to marchers right (observer's left). 

On Speaker's Platform
When displayed with a speaker's platform, it must be above and behind the speaker. If mounted on a staff it is on the speaker's right. 

Decoration
Never use the flag for decoration. Use bunting with the blue on top, then white, then red. 

Salute
All persons present in uniform should render the military salute. Members of the armed forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute. All other persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, or if applicable, remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. 

Over a Street Union (stars) face north or east depending on the direction of the street. 

Half Staff
On special days, the flag may be flown at half-staff. On Memorial Day it is flown at half-staff until noon and then raised. 

Special RulesDo not let the flag touch the ground. 
Do not fly flag upside down unless there is an emergency. 
Do not carry the flag flat, or carry things in it. 
Do not use the flag as clothing. 
Do not store the flag where it can get dirty. 
Do not use it as a cover. 
Do not fasten it or tie it back. Always allow it to fall free. 
Do not draw on, or otherwise mark the flag. 

Illumination Guidelines
Per Federal Flag Code, Section 2, paragraph (a), it is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed twenty-four hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.