Flag Etiquette: Time and Occasions for Display

The following is the second in a series of articles sponsored by American Legion Post 100 in Union on the proper etiquette towards the U.S. Flag. The information comes from U.S. Code Title 4, also known as “The Flag Code.” This week’s installment describes the appropriate times and occasions for display of the U.S. Flag.

• It is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flag staffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.
• The flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.
• The flag should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement, except when an all-weather flag is displayed.
• The flag should be displayed on all days, especially on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1; Inauguration Day, Jan. 20; Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday, the third Monday in January; Lincoln’s Birthday, Feb. 12; Washington’s Birthday, third Monday in February; National Vietnam War Veterans Day, Mar. 29, Easter Sunday (variable); Mother’s Day, second Sunday in May; Armed Forces Day, third Saturday in May; Memorial Day (half-staff until noon), the last Monday in May; Flag Day, June 14; Father’s Day, third Sunday in June; Independence Day, July 4; National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, July 27; Labor Day, first Monday in September; Constitution Day, Sept. 17; Columbus Day, second Monday in October; Navy Day, Oct. 27; Veterans Day, Nov. 11; Thanksgiving Day, fourth Thursday in November; Christmas Day, Dec. 25; and such other days as may be proclaimed by the President of the United States; the birthdays of States (date of admission); and on State holidays.
• The flag should be displayed daily on or near the main administration building of every public institution.
• The flag should be displayed in or near every polling place on election days.
• The flag should be displayed during school days in or near every schoolhouse.

Post 100 and the local JROTC Maverick Battalion are collecting unserviceable U.S. Flags for a respectful retirement ceremony scheduled for 17 May 2022. Citizens wishing to turn in their unserviceable U.S. Flags may mail or bring them to James Monroe High School, c/o JROTC, at 142 James Monroe Drive, Lindside, WV  24951. Post 100 is working towards placing a drop box in Union in the near future. Contact Scott Womack via email at swomack@k12.wv.us or via Facebook Messenger, or call Todd Longanacre or Mike Wiley at the JROTC office at 304-753-6906 to arrange a drop-off of your unserviceable U.S. Flag.