The Star-Spangled Banner. Old Glory. The red, white, and blue. No matter how Americans refer to the U.S. flag, everyone has the right to fly it. Flag Day, held annually on June 14 since 1916, should serve as a good reminder for how all should properly and proudly display the Stars and Stripes.
Thanks to the Freedom to Display the American Flag Act, enacted in 2006, residents in community associations have the right to fly the flag even if there are rules and restrictions that prevent it from being displayed. CAI believes, however, that associations should be able to determine the appropriate size, placement, and installation of the flag and flagpoles.
CAI encourages associations to follow the guidelines for flying Old Glory in the U.S. Flag Code, some of which includes:
- Display the flag in public from sunrise to sunset. It can be displayed at night if it is illuminated during darkness.
- Do not display the flag in inclement weather, unless it is an all-weather flag.
- The flag can fly on all days, especially on national holidays, other days that may be proclaimed by the president, and dates of admission of states into the union.
- Do not position the flag upside down. This represents a signal of distress in moments of extreme danger to life or property.
- Do not let the flag touch anything beneath it, including the ground, floor, water, or other objects.
- No part of the flag should have any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing of any nature.
Need more information about rules and regulations regarding flags, banners, and emblems? Read Everyday Governance: The Community Association’s Guide to Flags, Rentals, Holiday Decorations, Hoops, and Other Headaches, available from CAI Press.
The post Red, white, and blue: Tips for displaying the Stars and Stripes appeared first on Ungated: Community Associations Institute Blog.