Saluting the American Flag (2024)

FAQs

What are the rules for saluting US flag? ›

MEN remove hats and hold at left shoulder with hand over heart; without hat, place right hand, palm open, over heart. WOMEN should place right hand, palm open, over heart. WOMEN may continue to wear headwear, although it is appropriate to remove all caps.

Other Things Not to Do with the Flag

let the flag touch anything beneath it: ground, floor, water, merchandise. carry it horizontally, but always aloft. fasten or display it in a way that will permit it to be damaged or soiled. place anything on the flag, including letters, insignia, or designs of any kind.

The courtesy of the salute is encumbent on all military personnel, whether in garrison or in public places, in uniform or civilian clothes.

A later amendment further authorized hand-salutes during the national anthem by veterans and out-of-uniform military personnel. This was included in the Defense Authorization Act of 2009, which President Bush signed on Oct. 14, 2008.

The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise. The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free. The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery.

The flag, when carried in a procession with another flag or flags, should be either on the marching right; that is, the flag's own right, or, if there is a line of other flags, in front of the center of that line.

The Flag Code states: “During the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the flag or when the flag is passing in a parade or in review, 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.

Saluting the U.S. Flag.

When you're in uniform and an uncased flag passes by in a parade or any ceremony, you salute when the flag comes within six paces of you and hold the salute until the flag passes six paces beyond you.

When outdoors, a head cover is to be worn at all times when wearing Army Combat Uniforms, but is not required when wearing physical training (PT) gear. The United States Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard do not salute when the head is uncovered or out of uniform.

§ 9.

During the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the flag or when the flag is passing in a parade or in review, those 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.

Can you fly a flag from a military funeral? ›

Military Funeral Flag Etiquette

Typically you will want to keep the flag folded. However, it is entirely proper to display or fly the United States flag – even a burial flag! To do so, you will want to use either a flagpole to fly it properly outdoors, or display it flat on a wall.

In fact, U.S. Army regulations, for example, state that neither civilians nor those wearing civilian attire (both of which describe the U.S. president) are required to render salutes. The regulation states: "The President of the United States, as the commander in chief, will be saluted by Army personnel in uniform.

§ 8. No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America; the flag should not be dipped to any person or thing. Regimental colors, State flags, and organization or institutional flags are to be dipped as a mark of honor.

The United States Flag Code states:

"The flag should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement, except when an all weather flag is displayed." All-weather flags are specially made to resist the elements and are generally labeled as such by flag manufacturers.

The Flag Code states it is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flag staffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.

Flags which cast contempt on U.S. flag are prohibited. Foreign flags on public property are prohibited. prohibits public display of other than the U.S. flag, a State flag, or flag of a friendly foreign nation.

(a) read as follows: “Whoever knowingly casts contempt upon any flag of the United States by publicly mutilating, defacing, defiling, burning, or trampling upon it shall be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both.”

It's important to remember the cardinal rule: tattered American flags should not be flown under any circ*mstances. It is disrespectful to the country, but in particular, the United States military. When you notice your flag beginning to wear and tear, take it down immediately to make the proper repairs.

18 U.S. Code § 666 - Theft or bribery concerning programs receiving Federal funds.

No person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.

What is 51 United States Code? ›

Title 51 of the United States Code (51 U.S.C.), entitled National and Commercial Space Programs, is the compilation of the general laws regarding space programs. It was promulgated by U.S. President Barack Obama on December 18, 2010 when he signed PL 111-314 (H.R. 3237) into law.

Other civilians may be saluted by persons in uniform when appropriate, but the uniform hat or cap must not be raised as a form of salutation.

Members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are not in uniform may render the military salute in the manner provided for individuals in uniform. The statute does not require these persons to remove their hats, nor does it prohibit them from doing so.

Saluting. A common misconception is that saluting at a military funeral is a show of respect. Although no rule exists stating civilians cannot salute, it is best to leave this to former and active military personnel.

This includes areas that are covered but not enclosed (i.e., gas stations, picnic areas, etc.). If there is a visual marker stating that the area is a "No Hat, No Salute" area, Soldiers will ensure they put on their headgear upon exiting that specific area.

A salute is given to show respect for our National Colors and to fellow firefighters. It is an expression of courtesy between fire service professionals.

A person who is discharged honorably or under honorable conditions from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Space Force may wear his uniform while going from the place of discharge to his home, within three months after his discharge.

There are several types of military salutes - the hand salute, the rifle salute at order arms, a rifle salute at right shoulder, and still another rifle salute at present arms.

Occasionally you will see slow salutes during a flag-passing ceremony as part of a retirement to indicate respect for the flag and the person who is retiring.

Left Handed Salutes. Actually only the Naval services (Navy and Marine Corps) are authorized to salute with the left hand when necessary. This usually means when your right hand/ arm is incapacitated due to injury but it can also apply at other times.

Is it disrespectful to not salute the flag? ›

Civilians are encouraged to be respectful of the American flag, especially during the National Anthem, but this does not include a hand salute. Rather, civilians should place their right hand over their hearts during the National Anthem.

Refusing to salute the flag or recite the Pledge of Allegiance may be a form of political protest, the Court pointed out, or it may reflect a conscientious decision made by a person of devout religious belief. In either case, the Court concluded, such symbolic expression is protected by the First Amendment.

Although this is a U.S. federal law, the code is not mandatory: it uses non-binding language like "should" and "custom" throughout and does not prescribe any penalties for failure to follow the guidelines.

A United States flag is provided, at no cost, to drape the casket or accompany the urn of a deceased Veteran who served honorably in the U.S. Armed Forces. It is furnished to honor the memory of a Veteran's military service to his or her country.

Wartime U.S. military deaths

We can only support them and let them know that the sacrifices that they have made will never be forgotten by our grateful nation.” "When you want to offer condolences to someone, it's best to say, 'I'm sorry for your loss,'" Steen suggests.

Lastly, WikiHow states that you also have the option to respectfully bury the flag. You should fold the flag in the ceremonial triangle, place in a strong wooden box, and bury a few feet in the ground. Similar to burning the flag, make sure to handle it with care and consider its meaning as you bury it.

WHOM TO SALUTE:

All individuals who are equal or senior to you in rank in any of the uniformed services of the United States or of foreign governments. President of the United States; Vice President of the United States; State Governors; Department Secretaries (including the Secretary and Deputy Secretary of HHS).

The practice of firing three rifle volleys over the grave

Military funeral honors may include the firing of three rifle volleys over the grave during interment. The president of the United States, as commander-in-chief of the country's armed forces, is authorized this honor.

To salute, all persons come to attention. Those in uniform give the appropriate formal salute. Citizens not in uniform salute by placing their right hand over the heart and men with head cover should remove it and hold it to left shoulder, hand over the heart.

(a) read as follows: “Whoever knowingly casts contempt upon any flag of the United States by publicly mutilating, defacing, defiling, burning, or trampling upon it shall be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both.”

What are 3 ways to care for a flag? ›

The Dutch national flag (DNF) problem is one of the most popular programming problems proposed by Edsger Dijkstra. The flag of the Netherlands consists of three colors: white, red, and blue. The task is to randomly arrange balls of white, red, and blue such that balls of the same color are placed together.

Salute the flag whenever it is paraded, when the Pledge of Allegiance is said, or when the National Anthem is played. Those not in uniform should salute the flag by standing at attention, tall and straight, with the left arm at the side, and placing the right hand over the heart.

§ 8.

(b) The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water, or merchandise. (c) The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free. (d) The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery.

Nope--the federal Flag Code is recommended etiquette but not legally binding. PROCESS: You'll see a lot of people waving our flag proudly for the fourth, lots of people wearing it too on shirts, pants, hats, even bathing suits.

Thankfully, there are no rules against washing your American flag. If you're getting your flag ready to hang for the 4th of July and notice it's looking a little dirty, it's completely okay to wash it before putting it out.

If the flag becomes wet, it should be carefully spread out and allowed to dry completely. Never fold or roll-up a wet or damp flag.

Set the washing machine on the gentle cycle with warm water. Add a mild liquid laundry detergent to the wash water. You can also hand wash the flag with a mild liquid detergent made for delicate items. Hang the flag to dry on a breezy day, out of the sun.

What is the Least Common Flag Colour in the World? Purple is the rarest colour on national flags. In fact, of the 196 countries of the world, virtually none of them use purple on their national flag.

Bandera de la Paz inscription

(It is a white horizontal flag with three red balls in the middle forming a triangle, and below the phrase in capital letters "BANDERA DE LA PAZ.") This is actually the International Banner of Peace, aka the Roerich Movement flag.

Is there a purple flag? ›

Purple is one of the least used colours in vexillology and heraldry. Currently, the colour appears in only three national flags: that of Dominica, El Salvador, and Nicaragua, and one co-official national flag, the Wiphala (co-official national flag of Bolivia).

The “flag code” is the federal law that sets forth guidelines for the appearance and display of the U.S. flag (“flag”) by private citizens. These guidelines specify times and conditions for display of the flag, manners and methods of display, and buildings where such display should occur.

A person grants honor most frequently on the basis of position, status, or wealth, but it can and should also be granted on the basis of character. While honor is an internal attitude of respect, courtesy, and reverence, it should be accompanied by appropriate attention or even obedience.