Though I'm still in the Windy City, Flag Day evokes my state of mind as I walked around New York City in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. The American flags displayed in windows, firehouses, cars, buses, trains, you name it, were a source of strength and comfort. At the same time, I was dismayed that so many people apparently didn’t know that you can’t just hang the flag any which way.
To celebrate the holiday, I’m posting an excerpt on the proper display of the flag:
When the flag is displayed in a manner other than by being flown from a staff, it should be displayed flat, whether indoors or out. When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union (stars) should be uppermost and to the flag’s own right, that is, to the observer’s left. When displayed in a window it should be displayed in the same way, that is with the union or blue field to the left of the observer in the street. When festoons, rosettes or drapings are desired, bunting of blue, white and red should be used, but never the flag.
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