Who should lower their flags to half staff?
Municipal and county governments, public and private schools, private businesses, and individuals should also lower their flags to half staff under an Executive Order issued by the Governor.
Can the Wisconsin Department of military affairs issue a flag lowering order?
The Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs also has no authority to issue a flag-lowering order. That authority lies with the United States President and the Wisconsin Governor. Can the Wisconsin National Guard provide a color guard for my event?
What should you not do with the American flag?
Don’t dip the U.S. Flag for any person, flag, or vessel. Don’t let the flag touch the ground. Don’t fly flag upside down unless there is an emergency. Don’t carry the flag flat, or carry things in it. Don’t use the flag as clothing.
When saluting the flag who should render the military salute?
When saluting the flag DO the following: All persons present in uniform (military, police, fire, etc.) should render the military salute. Members of the armed forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute.
When the flag is being raised or lowered What must we do to salute it?
Raising and Lowering the Flag The United States Flag should be saluted while it is being raised and lowered. The salute should be held until the flag is unsnapped from the halyard or through the last note of music, whichever lasts longer.
What are the do's and don'ts of an American flag?
The flag should never be displayed with the union (stars) down, unless as a signal of dire distress. 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.
Who makes laws about treatment of the flag?
CongressSeparately, Congress passed the Flag Protection Act of 1968 (amended in 1989) (18 U.S.C. § 700), a since struck-down criminal statute, which prohibits mutilating, defacing, defiling or burning the flag.
Who has authority to lower the US flag?
According to the Flag Code, only the President of the United States, your state's Governor, and the Mayor of the District of Columbia can order the US flag lowered to half-staff. If everyone were to half-staff the US flag at will, the symbolic value of that honor would be lost.
How do you properly treat an American flag?
Out of respect for the U.S. flag, never: dip it for any person or thing, even though state flags, regimental colors and other flags may be dipped as a mark of honor. display it with the union down, except as a signal of distress. let the flag touch anything beneath it: ground, floor, water, merchandise.
What is disrespectful to the US flag?
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.
What is considered desecration of the American flag?
Flag desecration is the desecration of a flag, violation of flag protocol, or various acts that intentionally destroy, damage, or mutilate a flag in public. In the case of a national flag, such action is often intended to make a political point against a country or its policies.
Is The Thin red Line flag disrespectful?
The meaning of the red line flag was certainly not meant to be disrespectful. It's purpose is to honor fallen firefighters and the department, but there has been some controversy. Because it's an altercation of the American flag, some people do not agree with it.
Is The Thin Blue Line flag a desecration of the flag?
The current amended U.S. Flag Code has no penalty provision and is considered advisory flag etiquette. Supporters of the Blue Line flag are not insensitive to the Flag Code's standards. They argue that it's not a desecration of the American flag, because it's a completely different flag.
When should a flag be lowered?
Lowering the flag is a sign of respect, mourning or distress. Most English-speaking countries use the term half-mast, but in the United States, that refers only to flags flown on ships. In the U.S., lowering the flag traditionally signals that the country or a state is in mourning.
What is the only flag that can be flown above the US flag?
The Christian flag may fly above the US flag only "during church services conducted by naval chaplains at sea, when the church pennant may be flown above the flag during church services for the personnel of the Navy" (Flag Code, Section 7c).
Who can order the American flag to half-mast?
The presidentThe president, through a presidential proclamation, a state governor, or the mayor of the District of Columbia can order flags to fly at half-staff.
Who should salute the flag?
When saluting the flag DO the following: All persons present in uniform (military, police, fire, etc.) should render the military salute. Members of the armed forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute.
What are some flag etiquette don'ts?
Quick list of Flag Etiquette Don’ts: Don’t dip the U.S. Flag for any person, flag, or vessel. Don’t let the flag touch the ground. Don’t fly flag upside down unless there is an emergency. Don’t carry the flag flat, or carry things in it.
How to dispose of a flag?
When stowing or disposing of the flag, DO the following: 1 Fold in the traditional triangle for stowage, never wadded up. 2 The flag should be folded in its customary manner. 3 It is important that the fire be fairly large and of sufficient intensity to ensure complete burning of the flag. 4 Place the flag on the fire. 5 The individual (s) can come to attention, salute the flag, recite the Pledge of Allegiance and have a brief period of silent reflection. 6 After the flag is completely consumed, the fire should then be safely extinguished and the ashes buried. 7 Please make sure you are conforming to local/state fire codes or ordinances.
What side is the flag on in a march?
When used during a marching ceremony or parade with other flags, the U.S. Flag will be to the observer’s left.
What can an individual do to a flag?
The individual (s) can come to attention, salute the flag, recite the Pledge of Allegiance and have a brief period of silent reflection.
When is the flag displayed?
When a patriotic effect is desired the flag may be displayed 24-hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.
Where do the flags go when placed on a staff?
When placed on a single staff or lanyard, place the U.S. Flag above all other flags. When flags are displayed in a row, the U.S. flag goes to the observer’s left. Flags of other nations are flown at same height. State and local flags are traditionally flown lower.
Who can give 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.
What is the code for conduct during the passing of the flag?
Conduct During the Passing of Colors. Here is the wording of 4 U.S. Code § 9 "Conduct during hoisting, lowering or passing of flag". 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 ...
Information regarding flag-lowering orders issued by the President of the United States and the Governor of Wisconsin
Under changes to the Flag Code made in 2007, National flags flown over Federal installations and facilities in Wisconsin must be lowered to half staff when the Governor of Wisconsin orders flags to half staff because of the death of a member of the Armed Forces.
Questions?
The Department of Military Affairs displays these orders as a courtesy resource to the public. We do not own the content that is produced by the White House nor the Governor’s Office and are not involved in the decision-making process on when flags should or should not be lowered.
How to order a flag that has flown over the Capitol?
To order a U.S. flag that has flown over the Capitol, contact your senator's office. According to U.S. Flag Code, a worn out American flag should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.
Why should the flag be hung at half mast?
Flags displayed at night should be properly illuminated. In a time of national mourning, hang the flag at half-mast. The flag can be flown every day, but it is often flown to show patriotism on these observances: New Year's Day.
What is the flag of the United States?
The American Flag and Its Flying Rules. The Flag of the United States of America is a symbol of freedom and liberty to which Americans pledge their allegiance. Standing at attention and facing the flag with their right hand over the heart, they recite: "I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, ...
How to store a flag?
Keep your flag completely dry and folded properly — into a triangle, with the union (blue section) visible — before storing it in a well-ventilated area. If the flag is damaged or worn out, it should be disposed of with dignity. The flag should not touch anything below it or rest on the ground.
Why do we fly the American flag at half mast?
There are a few American flag half-staff dates that might surprise you: for example, we fly the flag at half-staff only from sunrise to noon to commemorate Memorial Day . However, we fly the flag at half-staff for a whole day (which is considered sunrise to sunset) each year on May 15 th for Peace Officers Memorial Day. This day, set by a resolution approved in 1962, honors fallen officers who gave their lives to protect their communities. We also lower the flag to half-staff on National Firefighters Memorial Day, the date of which changes but is always in October.
Why do we fly the flag at half staff?
The usual reasons for a half-staff proclamation include deaths of prominent U.S. government, state or local officials; military personnel; civil-service individuals or foreign dignitaries. However, there are specific dates on which we always fly the American flag at half-staff. These American flag half-staff dates, which include September 11 th, May 15 th and others, are shown on the calendar below.
What is the best way to display the American flag?
There are lots of appropriate ways to display an American flag; you could use a traditional flagpole or a house-mounted flag pole. And, don’t worry about it if you prefer the term “ half-mast ” over “half-staff”. The experts use it both ways, and either is correct.
What does it mean when the flag is half staff in 2021?
You probably already know that when you see an American flag flying at half-staff, it is to indicate that the country or your state is in mourning. What you might not know is that there are very specific rules and guidelines as to when the American flag should be flown at half-staff ...
Is the American flag a commercial item?
For example, the flag shouldn’t be worn or used for advertising in any way. Although companies and politicians routinely display the American flag to show pride, it should not be intended to be a commercial item.
What would happen if everyone half staffed the US flag?
If everyone were to half-staff the US flag at will, the symbolic value of that honor would be lost. Another option is to display black crepe near the entrance to your building, perhaps with a photograph of the former mayor, firefighter, police officer, etc.
Who is authorized to half staff the flag?
The President , by comparison, is authorized to half-staff the US flag by proclamation upon the death of principal figures of the US Government and the Governor of a State, territory, or possession, as well as in the event of the death of other officials or foreign dignitaries.
When flags are flown from adjacent staffs, should the flag of the United States be hoisted first and?
When the flags are flown from adjacent staffs, the flag of the United States should be hoisted first and lowered last. No such flag or pennant may be placed above the flag of the United States or to the United States flag's right.
Why is the flag at half mast?
By order of the President, the flag shall be flown at half-staff upon the death of principal figures of the United States Government and the Governor of a State, territory, or possession, as a mark of respect to their memory.
Why do some object to the governor's authority?
Some object to this extension of a governor's authority because they feel half-staffing the flag for every fallen soldier can be seen as anti-war. Some feel that overuse cheapens the symbolic power of half-staffing the flag, traditionally reserved for political leaders.
When the US flag is flown at half mast, should other non-national flags also fly at half-mas?
Therefore, when the US flag is flown at half-mast, other non-national flags should also fly at half-mast.
How wide should a flag be?
It should be no wider than 1 foot, but may be less wide to match the proportionality 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.
Conduct During The Passing of Colors
Conduct During The National Anthem
- Here is the wording of 36 U.S. Code § 301 "National anthem" (a) Designation.—The composition consisting of the words and music known as the Star-Spangled Banner is the national anthem. (b) Conduct During Playing.—During a rendition of the national anthem— (1)when the flag is displayed— (A) individuals in uniform should give the military salute at the first note of the anthe…
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