Ask the Flag Expert

 

[Hover with your mouse over each question to discover the answer]

 

Cemetery Flags

When should small flags displayed on graves on Memorial Day be removed?

Flag Disposal

May an unserviceable flag be reused or recycled?

General Flag Etiquette

How are unserviceable flags destroyed?

Does the flag have to be destroyed if it touches the ground?

Can members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform render the military right hand salute when the flag is hoisted, lowered or is passing?

What should be the position of the flag when displayed from a staff in a church, public auditorium or other public meeting place, whether indoors or outdoors, on platform or on floor or ground level?

Is it proper to fly the flag of the United States at night?

What is considered proper illumination when flying the flag at night?

May a Legion post display the flag twenty-four hours a day and during all kinds of weather without regard to illuminating the flag or using an all-weather flag?

Is it permissible to fly the flag of the United States during inclement weather?

Is the flag to be displayed only on National holidays?

Is the Government required to fly the flag every day?

Is it permissible to display another flag or pennant above the flag of the United States?

What is the United States Navy church pennant?

What governs displaying the flag of the United States in connection with the flag of the United Nations or other national or international flags?

What is meant by the flag’s own right?

What is the proper placement of two or more United States flags in a church or auditorium?

When is the United States flag to be displayed?

Half-staff

Is it proper for a Legion post to lower the United States flag to “half-staff” to honor a deceased member of the post?

What happens to the State flag when the flag of the United States is half-staffed?

Is the flag to be half-staffed for National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (December 7th), and Patriot’s Day (September 11)?

When should the flag be at half-staff?

What is the significance of displaying the flag at half-staff?

Can the mayor order the flag to be half-staffed?

Miscellaneous

Can a 48-star flag be displayed?

In what order should the flags of the branches of the Armed Forces be displayed?

What is the custom of the twenty-one-gun salute?

How is a flag decal to be displayed on a motor vehicle?

Can the flag be repaired or mended?

Is it correct to say that certain stars in the blue field represent certain States?

Can the flag be washed or dry-cleaned?

How are changes in the Flag Code made?

What do the colors of the flag mean?

What are the exact shades of the colors blue and red?

What size flag is appropriate to be displayed from a flagpole?

Are there any specifications regarding the flag pole or flag pole toppings?

What is the significance of the gold fringe which we see on some United States flags?

What is the correct way to wear a flag patch on an American Legion uniform?

How shall Legionnaires in uniform conduct themselves at the graveside?

During a funeral in which the casket is draped with a United States flag, what is proper conduct?

May a person, other than a veteran have their casket draped with a United States flag?

Is it permissible to wear an item of clothing that looks like the United States flag?

What should be the position of the flag of the United States when displayed from a staff in a meeting place of an American Legion post?

What is the definition of the flag?

What is the order of display of the flags of the other nations?

Is it proper to use a set of desk flags in lieu of staffed flags for Legion meetings?

How is the flag to be displayed on a fully open or half open casket?

May a casket flag be used for any proper display purpose?

What is the history of the three rifle volley during a military funeral?

National Anthem

Is there a specific version of the National Anthem which must be played?

Are rock versions of the National Anthem appropriate?

Is it necessary for a person to stand and salute when the National Anthem is sung?

Is it proper to stand when “America,” “God Bless America,” “The Red, White and Blue” and other such patriotic songs are played?

Is it appropriate to sing the National Anthem while saluting the flag?

What is the order when playing the National Anthems of other countries with the Star-Spangled Banner?

What is the acceptable practice after the playing or singing of the National Anthem?

Can members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform render the military salute in the manner provided for individuals in uniform when the National Anthem is played?

Pledge of Allegiance

Wearing a Legion cap, is it proper to render the military salute while reciting the “Pledge of Allegiance?”

If everyone at our Legion meeting is wearing a Legion cap, how is it possible for us to “Pledge Allegiance” to our country, given the answer to the above question?

Is it proper for female Legionnaires (cap or complete uniform) to remove their Legion caps during the “Pledge of Allegiance,” National Anthem and during prayer?

Who wrote the Pledge of Allegiance?

Can the Pledge of Allegiance be recited without the flag being present?