Flag Etiquette

As an organization that firmly believes in what the Flags of the United States represent, it is also of huge importance that they be flown and cared for properly and with the utmost respect. Here are some general guidelines for how to respectfully display your flags:

  • When flown on the same halyard (the rope used for raising and lowering the flags) as The Stars and Stripes, the Flag of Honor and the Flag of Heroes should always be flown under The Stars and Stripes. The Stars and Stripes should also never be smaller than the other flag(s).
  • Neither Flags of Honor nor Heroes take precedence over each other and therefore, when flown together, on the same halyard, it is left to the appreciation of their owner which one should be flown highest.
  • The Flag of Honor and Flag of Heroes may be flown, draped, or hung any time their owner deems appropriate. In addition, general etiquette asks that they be flown on Patriot Day* and throughout the month of September in remembrance of the lives lost to the terror attacks on 9/11.
  • On September 11th* The Flag of Honor and the Flag of Heroes may be flown at half-staff in sign of mourning. When one Flag is flown at half-staff all other Flags flown with it should be flown at half-staff. Flags flown at half-staff should first be raised to their peak and then lowered to half-staff. The Stars and Stripes is raised first and lowered last.
  • No flag should be flown during weather which might damage it.
  • To extend the life of a flag, it should be repaired to its best possible condition when torn.
  • Do not fold a flag while it is wet.
  • When a flag is no longer dignified in appearance and cannot be repaired, it should be destroyed in a dignified way: burned or sealed in a bag or box before being sent out for trash collection.

*Congress approved a joint resolution December 18, 2002, authorizing the president to designate September 11 of each year as Patriot Day.

We thank you for your dedication to proper flag etiquette and your respect for the Flags' symbolic representation of The United States of America.