American Flag

Flag Retirement Plazas and Dedication Ceremonies

"The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem of display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning." The United States Flag Code

Another option in Allegheny County is dropping off unserviceable flags at the North Park or South Park Retirement Plazas. Service organizations wishing to have a flag retirement ceremony should contact the appropriate Park to make arrangements.

Colors of the Flag

The Flag of the United States is red, white, and blue. Each color has a meaning:

  • Red is for bravery, valor, and the blood shed defending the nation.
  • White is for purity, hope, and the cleanliness of life.
  • Blue is for the color of Heaven, reverence of God, loyalty, truth, and justice.
  • White stars symbolize the States in a new constellation in the heavens.

Displaying the Flag

Display the flag daily, especially on holidays. Other days may be proclaimed by the President of the United States. The flag is also flown on the dates of States’ admission to the Union, and election days.

Flags should always be treated respectfully.

Holidays for Displaying the American Flag

The American Flag may be displayed daily, but displaying the flag is especially important on these holidays.

  • New Year's Day - January 1
  • Martin Luther King's Birthday - January 15
  • Inauguration Day - January 20
  • Lincoln's Birthday - February 12
  • Washington's Birthday - February 22
  • Easter Sunday - Varies
  • Mother's Day - Second Sunday in May
  • Armed Forces Day - Third Saturday in May
  • Memorial Day - May 30
  • Flag Day - June 14
  • Father's Day - Third Sunday in June
  • Independence Day - July 4
  • Labor Day - First Monday in September
  • Citizenship Day - September 17
  • Columbus Day - October 12
  • Veteran's Day - November 11
  • Thanksgiving Day - Fourth Thursday in November
  • Christmas Day - December 25

How to Correctly Use and Display the American Flag

In Procession

The U.S. flag, when carried in a procession with another or other flags, should be either on the marching right (the flag's own right) or, if there is a line of other flags, in front of the center of that line. Never display the U.S. flag from a float except from a staff, or so suspended that its folds fall free as though staffed.

More Than One Flag

When other flags are flown from the same halyard, the U.S. flag should always be at the peak. When other flags are flown from adjacent staffs, the U.S. flag should be hoisted first and lowered last. No flag may fly above or to the right of the U.S. flag (except flags of other nations).

The U.S. flag should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags of States or localities or pennants of societies are grouped and displayed from staffs.

On a Building

When the U.S. flag is displayed from a staff projecting from a building, the union of the flag should be placed at the peak of the staff, unless the flag is at half-staff. When suspended from a rope extending from the building to a pole, the flag should be hoisted out, union first, from the building.

With Flags of Other Nations

When flags of two or more nations are displayed, they are to be flown from separate staffs of the same height. The flags should be approximately equal size. International usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another in time of peace.

Inside a Building

When displayed from a staff in a church or public auditorium, the flag should hold the position of superior prominence, in advance of the audience, and in the position of honor at the clergyman's or speaker's right as he faces the audience. Any other flag so displayed should be placed on the left of the clergyman or speaker or to the right of the audience.

During the Hoisting Ceremony

During the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the flag or when the flag is passing in parade all persons should face the flag, stand at attention, and salute. A man should remove his hat and hold it with the right hand over the heart. Men without hats and women salute by placing the right hand over the heart. The salute to the flag in the moving column should be rendered at the moment the flag passes.

When Honoring the Fallen

When the U.S. flag is used to cover a casket, it should be so placed that the union is at the head and over the left shoulder. The flag should not be lowered into the grave or allowed to touch the ground. Thirteen Farewells explains the symbolism behind folding the flag after it has been raised from the casket by the bearers.

The flag, when flown at half-staff, should be first hoisted to the peak for a moment and then lowered to the half-staff position. The flag should be again raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day.

When Not on a Staff

When the U.S. flag is displayed other than from a staff, it should be displayed flat, or so suspended that its folds fall free. When displayed over a street, place the union so it faces north or east, depending upon the direction of the street.

When Unveiling a Statue or Monument

The U.S. flag should form a distinctive feature at the ceremony of unveiling a statue or monument but should never be used as the covering for the statue or monument.

On a Wall

When the U.S. flag is displayed with another flag against a wall on crossed staffs, the other flag should be on the U.S. flag's right, and the staff of the U.S. flag should be in front of the staff of the other flag.

If displayed flat against the wall on a speaker's platform, the U.S. flag should be placed above and behind the speaker with the union of the flag in the upper right hand corner as the audience faces the flag.

How to Properly Handle the American Flag

Important Do's

  • It is the universal custom to display the national flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open, but it should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement. The U.S. flag may be displayed at night upon special occasions when it is desired to produce a patriotic effect.
  • Display the U.S. flag on all days that weather permits, but especially on national and state holidays and other days that may be proclaimed by the President of the United States. On Memorial Day, the U.S. flag should be half-staffed until noon. Refer to the Holidays for Displaying the American Flag tab.
  • The U.S. flag should be displayed on or near the main building of every public institution, during school days in or near every schoolhouse, and in or near every polling place on election days.
  • Always hoist the U.S. flag briskly. Lower it ceremoniously.
  • When the flag becomes unserviceable properly dispose of it. Refer to the Flag Retirement Plazas and Dedication Ceremonies section of this page.

Important Don'ts

  • Do not disrespect the U.S. flag.
  • The U.S. flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. Regimental colors, State flags, and organization or institutional flags are dipped as a mark of honor.
  • The U.S. flag should never touch anything beneath it — ground, floor, water, or merchandise.
  • The U.S. flag should never be carried horizontally, but always aloft and free.
  • Always allow the U.S. flag to fall free — never use the U.S. flag as drapery, festooned, drawn back, or up in folds. For draping platforms and decoration in general, use blue, white, and red bunting. Always arrange the bunting with blue above, the white in the middle, and the red below.
  • The U.S. flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in a manner which will permit it to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way.
  • Never use the U.S. flag as a covering or drape for a ceiling.
  • Never place anything on the U.S. flag. The U.S. flag should never have placed upon it, or attached to it — any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture or drawing of any nature.
  • Never use the U.S. flag for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
  • The U.S. flag should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, and the like, printed or otherwise impressed paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discard; or used as any portion of a costume or athletic uniform. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown.

Contact

Questions? Call 412-350-4636 and select Option 2.