By: Chuck Tholen
July/August 2010

Several weeks ago I was talking with the editor of Well Servicing magazine and she told me that she was planning to show an American flag on the magazine’s cover. That was all the inspiration I needed for this article.

The Flag Code was established by Congress in 1942 through the urging of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars organizations.

The oil and gas business is one of the most patriotic industries in the U.S. Just the mention of the industry, and people think of the hard working roughneck pursuing the American dream — a catalyst to the industrial revolution. You don’t get that with any other industry. Mention telecommunications and people think “outsourced to India to save money.” Mention the manufacturing industry and people think “made in China.” I can’t remember the last time I visited a well site and the rig wasn’t flying an American flag. It truly is a patriotic industry. So in an effort to advance the patriotism, I decided to look into flag etiquette and the proper ways to display our country’s most recognizable symbol.

The laws relating to the flag of the United States of America are found in detail in the United States Code. The Flag Code was established by Congress in 1942 through the urging of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars organizations. It was an adoption of the State Flag Desecration Statutes that all states had adopted by 1932.

Although the Flag Code makes for wonderful reading when one has insomnia — it is not something this writer wants to go over in detail in this article. In fact, the purpose of this article is to make certain we are displaying this great symbol correctly.

Two of the most powerful statements in the Flag Code are:
A) No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America.
B) The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing.

While these two sentences are extremely basic and easy to understand, they are vague. I mean, ones man’s disrespect could be another man’s view of patriotism. Take for example, putting the flag on a T-shirt. To some this is disrespectful but to others it may be their way of showing they are proud to be Americans.

First let’s start with the basics
1. Always display the flag with the union (blue field) at the top. Flying an American flag upside down is a distress signal. While I am sure many of you may feel this would be appropriate given the current political arena, please remember the flag does not represent one particular person or political party. One man’s protest can be another’s sign of disrespect.
2. The flag should never be dipped down to any person or thing.
3. The flag should never be used as a drapery or for covering a speaker’s desk. Bunting in blue, white and red stripes is used for this purpose.
4. The flag must never be used for any advertising purposes.
5. The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform. The exceptions are uniforms for military personnel, fireman, policeman and members of patriotic organizations.
6. The flag should never have anything placed on it or attached to it — including any markings or insignias.
7. The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying or delivering anything. (i.e. paper plates is a no-no!)
8. When a flag is so worn that it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner. The best way to handle this is to contact your local American Legion post or Scout Troop — they regularly conduct flag retirement ceremonies.

More directives
1. When displaying a flag it is customary to fly it from sunrise to sunset. However, you may fly a flag 24 hours a day as long as the flag is made of a weather-resistant material and you properly illuminate it during the night.
2. It should always be flown at the top of a flagpole unless it is flying in mourning or half staff. This should only be done upon presidential or gubernatorial order. Other flags (with the exception of advertising banners) may be flown on the same pole, but they must be below the American flag.
3. When the flag is flown with a group of other flags on separate poles:
a. No other flag may be larger.
b. The American flag should be displayed in the position of honor — to the presenter’s own right (viewers left) or in the center if the center pole is higher than all others.
c. Always raise or lower the American flag first.
d. If there are flags from other nations involved — all flags should be the same size and at the same height. International usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace.
4. When hanging a flag vertically — place the blue union to it’s own right (viewers left)

A few other things
1. All states (sorry Texas) are allowed to fly their state flag at the same height as the American flag.
2. Your homeowners/condo association may not restrict you from displaying an American flag.
3. While it may seem patriotic, it is not okay to use flag napkins or paper plates. Anything that is designed for temporary use and discarded should not be imprinted with a flag design.
4. There are several places where a flag flies permanently 24 hours a day. One of which is the White House. There is a myth that says the flag only flies when the President is in residence. Other countries do this but the flag of the United States signifies a country and not a single person.
5. While the Flag Code requires federal institutions, including public schools, to fly a U.S. flag, it does not require any one person to fly a flag and it does not forbid anyone from displaying a foreign flag.
6. And finally, a flag may be displayed in what some describe as a backwards or reverse flag on such things as vehicles or military uniforms. This is done so that the flag looks like it is blowing in the wind created by the forward movement.

Hopefully this information has enlightened you on the proper way to treat our flag and has reaffirmed that your organization is flying our country’s colors proudly and correctly.