With the Fourth of July, the day Americans celebrate their independence, approaching many people like to decorate with the US flag and decorations of red, white and blue to show their patriotism. But did you know that there are laws on how to display the flag that should be followed? There is a proper or legal way to display the flag or use it in decorations. There is even a correct way to display red, white and blue bunting. In Michigan not displaying the United States flag properly, desecrating or even talking improperly about our flag, ( yes, defaming the flag is a crime) are considered misdemeanors and you could be fined.
If you accidentally make a mistake and use the flag incorrectly you probably won’t get charged with anything. But you may annoy and dismay some neighbors and passerby’s so flying the flag correctly is always a wise move. People can be very passionate about our flag and you may get some complaints or angry comments if you don’t use care displaying the flag. Here are some guidelines for displaying the United States flag properly and not spoiling your party with a political debate.
The United States flag should be flown on its own pole and not combined with other flags. It is always the highest flag in a group of flags on poles or if all the poles are equal in height no other flag should be to the right of the United States flag. Never fly any flag above the United States flag. It is all right for flags of other nations to be flown at the same height as the US flag but not to the right of it, the US flag is always the far right flag in any group. It is considered correct to fly state, religious or organizational flags below the level of the US flag. If it is higher, the US flag can be in the center or other position in a group of flags.
The United States flag is always flown with the “stars” up. A flag can be flown upside down to signify that there is an emergency that requires immediate aid, as a distress signal when there is no other way to summon aid.
A flag is flown at the top of a pole or mast unless there is a government call for flags to be flown at half mast, such as when a local serviceperson dies. The exception is Memorial Day when the flag should be flown at half mast until noon, then raised to full mast.
Most flags should only be flown in dry weather in the daylight hours. Special all weather flags can be left through wet weather. If it is lighted a flag can be flown through the night. Flags that are very dirty, tattered, or ripped should be taken down.
A flag that is hung against a building or suspended in the air should have the “stars” up if hung vertically . If hung horizontally the “stars” should be to the viewers left.
The bottom of the flag should not touch the ground, a table, other decorations, etc. Flags should not be draped or bunched up when displayed.
The flag should not be used as a tablecloth or cover, awning, curtain, chair cover, floor cover. etc. Clothing can have US flags on it if depicted correctly but should not be made of a flag. A t- shirt with a properly depicted flag on it is fine but a skirt made out of a flag is not. If that t-shirt had profanity on it or disrespected the flag in some other way though, it would be considered an illegal use of the flag.
Items like napkins, cups, paper table cloths, etc, things that are used and disposed of, should not have flags on them. Because most of these items are made in foreign countries and many retailers are unaware of the law or don’t care, some of these things are sold for the holidays every year. Please don’t buy them. Find items with red, white and blue decorations other than the flag.
The flag cannot be used to advertise things, nothing should be written or stamped on a flag. This too, is often violated. A small flag on party invitations would be ok, but to print the invitation on a picture of a flag would not be. Advertising flags or signs should not be on the same pole as a United States flag either. Don’t put a garage sale sign on a post with a US flag on top, for example.
And that bunting mentioned earlier? Bunting should be hung so the blue band is on top, then white, then red. But that is something few friends and neighbors would know or care about, so don’t worry if you slip up there.
And hey, watch that complaining about the flag while you decorate. Michigan is one of the few states that count talking disrespectfully about the flag as a misdemeanor offense.
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