The Pledge of
Allegiance
I pledge Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America
and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God,
indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.
Guidelines for Displaying the Flag
1. The flag of the United States should be flown daily from
sunrise to sunset in good weather from public buildings,
schools, permanent staffs, and in or near polling places on
election days. The flag may be displayed 24 hours a day on
patriotic holidays or if properly illuminated.
2. The flag should not be displayed on days when the weather is
bad, except when an all-weather flag is used.
3. The flag should always be flown on national and state
holidays and on those occasions proclaimed by the President. On
Memorial Day, the flag should be half staffed until noon.
4. The flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.
It should never be dipped to any person nor should it ever be
displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire
distress.
5. The flag should never touch anything beneath it, nor should
it ever be carried flat or horizontally.
6. It should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, drapery,
or decoration, nor for carrying or holding anything.
7. The flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such
a manner as to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged. It should never be
used as a covering for a ceiling.
8. The flag should not be draped over the hood, top, sides, or back of a
vehicle. When a flag is displayed on a car, the flag's staff should be
fixed firmly to the chassis or clamped to the right fender.
9. The flag or its staff should never be used for advertising purposes
in any manner whatsoever. Nor should any picture, drawing, insignia or
other decoration be placed on or attached to the flag, its staff, or
halyard.
10. The flag should not be embroidered on cushions, handkerchiefs, or
other personal items nor printed on anything designed for temporary use
and discarded. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of
military personnel, firemen, policemen, or members of other patriotic
organizations.
11. When the flag is so worn or soiled that it is no longer suitable for
display, it should be destroyed in a dignified manner, preferably by
burning.
