Happy Memorial Day, everyone! Today is the day when we honor those brave men and women who have died while serving in the military. We may spend the day sleeping in, heading to the beach, or hosting barbecues, but it’s important to keep our nation’s heroes in our thoughts.
A friend mentioned to me that on Memorial Day, the American flag should be hung at half-staff until noon, at which point it is raised to the top of the staff.
Curious to learn more, I happened to come across the United States Flag Code. Here’s what I learned:
- Raise the flag briskly. Lower it ceremoniously.
- Never allow the flag to touch the ground or floor.
- Do not fly the flag in bad weather, unless it is an all-weather flag.
- The flag can only be flown at night if properly illuminated. Otherwise, it should only be flown from sunrise to sunset.
- The flag should always be allowed to fall free.
- The flag should never be used to carry, store, or deliver anything.
- Never fly the flag upside down except to signal an emergency.
The code also stipulates that the flag never be worn as clothing, though I assume it’s okay to wear shirts emblazoned with the U.S. flag, which you typically see on Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. There are no federal penalties for breaking these rules—except in extreme cases—but I find it interesting to at least know the proper etiquette!
Have a wonderful day.