There's a specific way to display flags on Memorial Day

You'll see many more American flags on display for this Memorial Day weekend, in tribute to those who gave their lives defending our country's freedom.

However, most are not aware that there is a very specific protocol for the proper observance of this particular holiday.

At sunrise on Monday, the flag is raised briskly to full staff for just a moment.

Then the flag is lowered to half staff and remains in that position until noon. This period of half staff serves as a visible sign of mourning and remembrance.

The flag should fly at the half-staff position until noon only, and then be raised to the top of the staff for the remainder of the day. This custom, unique to Memorial Day, honors the war dead in the morning of Memorial Day, but then the flag is raised to full-staff at noon by the living “who resolve not to let their sacrifice be in vain, but to rise up in their stead and continue the fight for liberty and justice for all.”

In instances where it is not possible to display the flag at half staff, proper etiquette requires that you attach a black mourning ribbon to the flag. 

Other general items of everyday flag etiquette can be found here .



(AP Photo Michael Dwyer)