The American flag is a symbol of hope and liberty. With Independence Day fast approaching, as a homeowner it’s important to show respect for the flag by following flag etiquette and making sure it’s displayed correctly. Here are a few of the most important tips to remember when displaying your flag this 4th of July:
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Don’t let it touch the ground. Allowing the American flag to touch the ground is a sign of disrespect, as is flying it upside-down except as a signal of “extreme distress.” When raising the flag, do so quickly and lower it ceremoniously when taking it down.
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Fly the flag during daylight hours. The flag should be flown from sunrise to sunset, and only during times of fair weather. Flags can be displayed overnight as long as they are properly illuminated.
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How to position the flag. Many homeowners don’t have a flag pole, so it’s important to know how to correctly position the flag other ways. If displaying it in a window or on a wall, the stars (or union) should appear on the top left when one faces the flag. If flying a flag from a car, clip the staff to the right window or attach it to the antenna.
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Ensure appropriate flag size. Flags come in various sizes, but most residential flags tend to be either 3×5 feet or 4×6 feet. If you’re not sure of the correct size for your flag, take a look at the flagpole. The length of the flag should be a quarter of the length of the pole.
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When to lower the flag to half-mast. Flags should only be lowered to half-mast by decree of a president or governor, or after the death of a U.S. president, vice-president, former president or former vice-president. When preparing to fly a flag at half-staff, first raise it to the peak, then lower it to the half-mast position. When lowering it in the evening, do the same thing in reverse, hoisting it to the peak before bringing it back down.
At Muth & Company Roofing, we’re proud to call ourselves Americans and we’ve been blessed to be part of this wonderful community for the past 30 years. From roof and gutter repairs to roof replacement, our experienced team can take care of all your roofing needs. The next time you have a roofing issue, give Muth & Company a call at (614) 682-3060.