Ruritan Club and District Officers' Handbook

Ruritan and the American Flag

United States Flag Display Etiquette

Pledge of Allegiance “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the repub lic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” When you are pledging allegiance, stand erect and look directly toward the flag. The Pledge of Allegiance should be rendered by standing at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. When not in uniform, men should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at their left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in military uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute. When flown at half-staff, the Flag should be first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The Flag should be raised to the peak again before it is lowered for the day. On Memorial Day, the Flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon only, then raised to the top of the staff. By order of the President of the United States, the Flag shall be flown at half-staff upon the death of principal figures of the United States Government or the Governor of a State, territory or possession, as a mark of respect to their memory. The Flag shall be flown at half-staff thirty days from the death of the President or a former President, ten days from the day of death of the Vice President, the Chief Justice or retired Chief Justice of the United States, or the Speaker of the House of Representatives. The Flag shall also be flown at half-staff from the day of death until interment of an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, a Secretary of an executive or military department, a former Vice President, or the Governor of a State, territory or possession, and flown at half-staff on the day of death and the following day for a Member of Congress. When to Fly the Flag at Half-Staff

It is important that each Ruritan club or district dis play an American Flag at all meetings. When displayed flat on the wall, the blue field should be top left to the observer. The Flag of the United States should hold the position of superior prominence; both in advance of the audience and in the position of honor at the speaker’s right as he faces the audience. In displaying flag sets on the head table, the American Flag should be on the speaker’s right and the Ruritan Flag on the left. With other flags, such as flags of states, cities, or associations, or in a decorative grouping of flags, the Flag of the United States is in the middle, on a staff longer than the others. The Flag should never be used as a decoration. Red, white and blue bunting should be used instead. The Flag should never be embroidered on such articles as cush ions, handkerchiefs, etc., printed, or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and discarded. When hanging the American Flag in a vertical posi tion against a wall, the stars should be in the upper left hand corner. The Flag should always be allowed to fall free. It should never be fastened, displayed, or stored in any manner which would permit it to be easily torn. The American Flag should never be used on a costume or athletic uniform. The Flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously. Disposal of American Flags When a flag has served its useful purpose, it should be destroyed, preferably by burning. This should be done discretely so the act of destruction is not perceived as a protest or desecration. Hold Flag Disposal and Replacement Ceremonies on June 14, Flag Day, or anytime. Flag replacement cer emonies also create a dignified and solemn occasion for the disposal of unusable flags.

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Revised 8/2024