Raising Old Glory

Meetings & Conventions: Short Cuts November 2001 Current Issue
November 2001
Short Cuts:
Raising Old Glory

Nothing evokes a more powerful sense of freedom and democracy than the American flag. In the past few months, especially, it has become a prominent fixture across the country, from boardrooms to living rooms. However, before rushing to mount the Stars and Stripes, keep in mind that specific rules and regulations govern its proper display. These are spelled out in the Flag Code, known as US Code, Title 36, Chapter 10, which can be viewed online at www.usflag.org. More flag etiquette, including the proper way to fold Old Glory, is at www.ushistory.org. Following are some helpful guidelines for the meeting professions:

When displayed on a speaker's platform, the flag always should be positioned above and behind the speaker.

The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, water, merchandise or the floor.

No other flag should be placed above or to the right of the flag.

When the flag is displayed above the entrance to a building, it should be suspended vertically, with the union (the blue square with stars) to the upper left. If the building has more than one entrance, the flag should be displayed inside the lobby in a central location, again in a vertical position.

When the flags of other nations are flown along with the American flag, they should be flown from separate staffs of the same height.

The flag should never be displayed in inclement weather.

The flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.

The flag should never be used as drapery, festooned, or drawn back or up in folds. Bunting of blue, white and red, always arranged with the blue above the white in the middle, should be used for covering a speaker's desk or draping the front of the platform.

• C.A.S.