Flag Lesson Plan Why do we have flag rules?

To honor and pay respect to the flag and the United States, the country it represents. 

Displaying the flag 

Can be flown every day 

Usually flown sunrise to sunset 

Should be flown on all national and state holidays & other days proclaimed by the President 

Flying at full staff 

o Hoist it briskly and lower it slowly 

Fly at half staff to show sorrow and mourning following a national tragedy, the death of a president or other national or state figure, or to honor those who have sacrificed their lives for their country.

 o, Hoist the flag to the top of the pole, hold for an instant, lower to point halfway between the top and bottom of the pole 

o To lower, first raise it to the top of the pole, then slowly lower it.

 o On Memorial Day, fly at half-staff until noon, then hoist to full-staff 

Raising the flag – use a minimum of two people 

First-person and any additional persons needed. 

o Holds the flag 

o Steps back and salutes after the flag is free 

The second person 

o Attaches to a lanyard 

o Raises the flag, doesn’t salute 

o Ties halyard 

Audience 

o Stand at attention (stand straight, hands at side, not in pockets) 

o Face the US flag 

o, Salute at the first note of the National Anthem, or when directed, or when the flag is lowered. 

o Hold salute until the last note of the National Anthem, until directed, or when the flag is free of the halyard 

Lowering the flag – use a minimum of two people 

First-person 

o Unfastens halyard and lowers slowly 

o Removes flag from halyard; ties halyard 

o Folds flag Second person and any additional persons needed 

o Salutes as it’s lowered 

o When it is within reach, gathers flag in 

o Folds flag 

Folding demo 

Greeting 

When in uniform, greet flag with Scout salute as you pass it, or it passes you 

Use the Scout salute when reciting the Pledge of Allegiance 

When not in uniform, place the right hand over the heart; remove the hat and hold over the heart 

Other Rules of Display 

Always carry flag aloft and free, never flat or horizontally 

When carried with other flags, the US flag is carried in front or on its own right 

When displayed with other flags, it’s in its own right 

When flags are different heights, the US flag is the highest; hoisted first, lowered last 

When displayed on a wall the blue field should be at the top and the flag’s own right 

When hung over a street, the blue field should be to the north or east Flying the US flag upside down is a sign of distress 

When with flags of other nations, display on separate flagpoles of equal height and flags should be approx the same size 

Never dip the American flag, but do dip the troop flag as a form of respect when others are saluting.