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There are right ways and wrong ways to treat the American flag, which are outlined in Public Law 94-344, also known as the Federal Flag Code. While the traditional guidelines from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs says the flag should be “hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously,” there’s more to it than that. Here are the do’s and don’ts for displaying the American flag. (Theo Wargo/Getty Images)
Do: Dispose of accordingly | Most American Legion posts have a flag burning day to properly dispose of tarnished flags. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Do: Dispose of accordingly | Most American Legion posts have a flag burning day to properly dispose of tarnished flags. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Do: Decorate | The Department of Defense suggests buntings as a way to celebrate the flag without “discrediting” it. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
Do: Fold it however works for you | The American Legion says there's no right way to fold a flag, but the familiar technique of folding into a triangle has endured over the years. (Elsa/Getty Images)
Do: Fold it however works for you | The American Legion says there’s no right way to fold a flag, but the familiar technique of folding into a triangle has endured over the years. (Elsa/Getty Images)
Do: Whatever you want | In 1990, the Supreme Court ruled that enforcing the flag code at a federal level is unconstitutional. In United States v. Eichman, SCOTUS said that desecration of the flag was protected speech under the First Amendment. (Jewel Samad/AFP via Getty Images)
Do: Whatever you want | In 1990, the Supreme Court ruled that enforcing the flag code at a federal level is unconstitutional. In United States v. Eichman, SCOTUS said that desecration of the flag was protected speech under the First Amendment. (Jewel Samad/AFP via Getty Images)
Do: Respect states’ laws | Wyoming prohibits the display of any flag besides that of the U.S. at parades. The District of Columbia prohibits parades and processions on Capitol grounds as well as any “flag, banner, or device designed or adapted to bring into public notice any party, organization, or movement.” While there is no federal penalty for mistreatment of the flag, there are a few actions considered disrespectful to Old Glory. (Tasos Katopodis/AFP via Getty Images)
Don'ts when it comes to the flag | While there is no federal penalty for mistreatment of the flag, there are a few actions considered disrespectful to Old Glory. (AFP via Getty Images)
Don’ts when it comes to the flag | While there is no federal penalty for mistreatment of the flag, there are a few actions considered disrespectful to Old Glory. (AFP via Getty Images)
Don't: Hang it upside down | An upside-down flag is a sign of distress and should never be used. (Nathan Howard/Getty Images)
Don’t: Hang it upside down | An upside-down flag is a sign of distress and should never be used. (Nathan Howard/Getty Images)
Don’t: Embroider on handkerchiefs | The Old Farmer’s Almanac says the flag should never be embroidered on fabric, printed on paper or “used as any portion of a costume.” An American flag patch sewn onto a uniform, however, is acceptable. (David McNew/Getty Images)
Don't: Drape on your parade float | The flag should only be displayed on a float if hanging from a staff and should not be draped over the hood, top, sides or back of a vehicle. (Gabrielle Lurie/AFP via Getty Images)
Don’t: Drape on your parade float | The flag should only be displayed on a float if hanging from a staff and should not be draped over the hood, top, sides or back of a vehicle. (Gabrielle Lurie/AFP via Getty Images)
Don't: Take half-staff down too early | The American flag flies at half-staff when the nation is in mourning. On the occasion of the death of a president or former president, the flag must remain at half-staff for 30 days. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)
Don’t: Take half-staff down too early | The American flag flies at half-staff when the nation is in mourning. On the occasion of the death of a president or former president, the flag must remain at half-staff for 30 days. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images)
Don't: Print it on paper napkins | In keeping with the ceremonious disposal of unusable flags, anything that gets tossed in the trash shouldn't have a flag on it, according to the VA. (Darren Carroll/Getty Images)
Don’t: Print it on paper napkins | In keeping with the ceremonious disposal of unusable flags, anything that gets tossed in the trash shouldn’t have a flag on it, according to the VA. (Darren Carroll/Getty Images)
Don't: Let it touch the floor | The American flag should not touch the floor or anything else below it, including merchandise and water, which the American Legion says is to ensure the flag is handled with care. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Don’t: Let it touch the floor | The American flag should not touch the floor or anything else below it, including merchandise and water, which the American Legion says is to ensure the flag is handled with care. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)