How to Fly a Foreign Flag in the USA?
         I moved to the USA 2 years ago with my wife ( who is an American citizen ), as a British citizen and a permanent resident of your country, is it illegal for me to fly the Union flag by itself from my back porch? I had, before I hung the flag conversed with my neighbours and they replied that they didn't mind. What is both the legal and neighbour-friendly point of view is this? Many thanks.
        -- John D. 

Dear John D.:
      If you fly flags incorrectly no policeman will give you a ticket .... but since they are national symbols ... it is less than respectful to fly them incorrectly or use them as if they are decorative banners.
      Within a country -- that country's flag is flown in the place of honor -- the #1 spot.
      Foreign flags .... of the same size & style on identical flag poles -- flown at the same height ...  are flown in secondary positions.
            E.g., In the USA ... as the viewer sees them
                  US Flag, Foreign Flag #1, Foreign Flag #2, Foreign Flag #3 ...
            E.g., In the UK ... as the viewer sees them
                  UK Flag, Foreign Flag #1, Foreign Flag #2, Foreign Flag #3 ...
      Flags of nations are never hung higher than one another -- never one above the other on a single flag pole.
      Within any country the only place a foreign flag is flow alone (or in the place of honor) is at the embassy of the foreign country, since by international agreement the embassy is actually part of the foreign country.
      Thus, the only place in the USA one can correctly fly just a UK flag is at the UK Embassy.
      The best way for you to do it is to have two identical flag poles and fly the US flag first and the UK flag second.
      Since your wife is American ... it's a symbol of the two of you. The order would be reversed when you are in the UK.
      Maybe more that you wanted to know ... but that's the official way to do it!
         -- Robert Hickey

Should a Retired Officer Salute the Flag
When Not in Uniform?
What is proper flag courtesy for retired officers?  Do they salute the flag as they did on active duty, or do they stand at attention, or stand at attention with right hand over their hearts.?  Thanks.
          -- Betsy M.

Dear Betsy M.:
     Active or retired armed services personnel in uniform and wearing their branch's official headgear salute the raising, lowering or passing of the flag ... as well as the playing of the national anthem.
   Anyone out-of-uniform -- both out-of-uniform military personnel & civilians -- may stand at attention with their right hand over their heart..  But, I wondered about it because I recently went to the funeral of a retired Navy captain and about half of his Naval Academy classmates saluted the colors in their civilian clothes. Seemed like those retired Annapolis grads would know what was right and what was wrong.
     Well, they were right. In 2008 and 2009 clauses in National Defense Authorization Acts authorized active duty and veterans to render a hand salute when out of uniform. Here is a copy of the press release from the Department of Veterans Affairs, FYI.
          -- Robert Hickey

Who Should Salute a Flag in Civilian Clothes?
       I've seen people in civilian clothes saluting, but I thought the rule was only the military saluted. Can a regular civilians salute the flag?
            -- Dwight Roland

Dear Mr. Roland:
       #1: Armed Services personnel in uniform salute the flag.
       #2: Regular citizens remove their hat, stand at attention, face the flag, and put their right hand over your heart.
       That's the norm in for what to do when the the US Flag is 'in motion' or when the US National Anthem is being played. But of course things aren't always totally black and white.
       The Fine Print: Among the Armed Services there are practices confusing to those of us outside the military because it looks like some 'civilians' are saluting the flag.
     * Veterans wearing civilian clothes are authorized to salute the flag (See press release).
     * And other directives (e.g., Air Force directive (AFI 134 1201 Paragraph 2.17) -- which I am told is the same in all branches of service) specify that active duty personnel when outdoors and wearing civilian clothes -- may also salute the flag. It says:
      "When the flag is displayed, all present except those in formation, should stand at attention facing the flag with their right hand over their heart. Members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present, but not in uniform, may render the military salute.  All others should remove their hat with their right hand and hold the headdress at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart.  Individuals in uniform should give the military salute at the first note of the National Anthem and maintain that position until the last note.  When the flag is not displayed, all present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed."
       So the Armed Services have their own rules, but for us regular civilians ... we should follow #2 above and we will be just fine.
     -- Robert Hickey

Can Any Other Flag be Flown Higher than the US Flag
On A Flagpole In the United States?
        I am a retired (21 years) Navy Commander. I have a nautical flagpole - mast, jackstaff, and gaff - at the shoreline of my lake front residence (not a yacht club).  I wish to properly display U.S. flag, U.S. Navy flag, and other flags on this flag pole.  I understand the sequence of flag precedence. 
        However, the U.S. Flag Code sets out how a civilian should configure them and I know the U.S. Navy tradition is different.  My question to you is this: Am I now a civilian (and subject of the U.S. Flag Code) or still an officer in the (retired) Navy (and fly flags according to Navy's tradition)?
        -- Tom in Texas

Dear Tom:
        The design of flagpole design is the deciding factor
        On ships there is a special tradition due to a ship's flag staffs: A sailing ship's sails made a flag flown at the top of the mast hard to see ... thus displaying one's national on a gaff-rigged staff (in the front of the ship for us non-sailors) became the tradition. The gaff-rigged staff is where one's national flag is the most visible, BUT is actually lower that staffs elsewhere on the ship (such as the one atop a mast.)
        If you have a nautical flagpole to display flags -- thus replicating the display on a ship ... following the naval ship-board practice is acceptable. Shore flags, signal flags, officer flags and even yacht club flags may be higher than the US flag technically.
        Note that when the US flag flies on this nautical flagpole, no other flag flies on the same halyard with the US flag.

           Since you have a nautical flag pole ... you can follow that display following the nautical style.
           But if you have a single straight staff ... then the US Flag Code is the one to follow.  On a single, vertical flag pole in Texas (including US Navy facilities) it would be incorrect to fly flags, top to bottom:
                        Personal Flag    personal flag
                        US Flag             national flag
                        Texas Flag        sub-national flag
                        USN flag           organizational flag
            On a single, vertical flag pole in Texas the correct order is, top to bottom:
                        US Flag              national flag
                        Texas Flag         sub-national flag
                        USN flag            organizational flag
                        Personal Flag    personal flag
           Even the positional flag of The President of the United States is not given status higher than a US flag. See the photo below of the US flag presented in the place of honor, the Presidents' flag is presented in the subordinate position.
           Internationally a personal flag is not flown above national colors. When it is flown it is generally flown alone. E.g., the personal colors of the Queen of the Netherlands flies over her palace ... and never with Netherlandish Flag. See the photo below from the UK.  Just the Royal Standard, the positional flag of the Monarch, flies at Windsor Castle.
        -- Robert Hickey

Can I Fly the Flag at a Civilian's Wedding?
     I am planning my daughter, Alexis', wedding and need your help. Alexis and Keith are being married in a local church, not on a military base. Is it appropriate to have the United States Flag hanging in the chapel during the ceremony?
       -- Michael Halpern

Dear Mr. Halpern,
     The American flag can be flown anywhere ... just fly it correctly.  Contact your local military district for instructions on how to fly a flag, check out on-line display guidelines or, call the Boy Scouts!
       -- Robert Hickey

Can I fly Our Company Flag Alone?
Or Must I Fly the American Flag too?
       My company has a single flagpole in front of its building.  Can we fly our company flag alone, or do we have to fly the American flag too?
                 -- David Musgrave

Dear Mr. Musgrave:
      You can fly your company flag alone. When flown with the American flag, the American flag is on top.
                 -- Robert Hickey

Can The Flag Be Draped Over a Civilian's Coffin?     At our school's classes we cover how to fold the American flag, its proper uses, and proper display. When we addressed the issue of how it is draped on a coffin, I had the question: Is it only used for military personnel or can it be used for civilians too?  I had no idea what the rules are and would appreciate your advice.           -- John R.     I am a retired police officer and am leaving instructions for my family once I pass away. (Hopefully not for a long time in the future).  My father was in the Army Air Corps during WWII. When he died his casket was draped with an American flag as a veteran. I have that flag.    Is an appropriate request to have the same flag drape my casket after my death?           -- Kevin P. Dear J.R and K.P.:     Anyone United States citizen can have the U.S. flag on their casket -- as long as the flag is displayed correctly. The rules are from the government, not the military. When the flag is used to cover a casket, it should be placed so the top left of the flag (the blue field with stars) is over the head and over the body's left shoulder. (What's the body's left, and the left of the body for the viewer are different. See the photo below.) The flag should not be lowered into the grave or allowed to touch the ground.    There is much to learn on flags, but check out the rules in advance and then display it proudly.              -- Robert Hickey

May a Little American Flag Be Placed on a Civilian's Grave? 
        Is it improper for someone to put a little flag (appropriately displayed) on a civilian's grave? … like the flags that are put on the military graves on Memorial Day?  We have a gentleman in our town that is questioning another citizen placing a flag on her husband’s grave.
                -- Anita Clarkson

Dear Ms. Clarkson:
        The American flag is frequently seen the graves of veterans, so placed to honor their service.  But, anyone can put a small American flag on a grave if it is done correctly.
                -- Robert Hickey

Does the Flag From a Coffin Have to Be Presented to The Family?
     Good Morning Sir,
     A civilian member of the Canadian defence team (Department of National Defence) just recently pasted away.  The individual has been employed with the us for over 25 years. If we place a flag on his coffin does that flag have to be presented to the family?    
          Sincerely,
          Timothy Clark
          Chief Petty Officer 2nd Class
          Canadian Navy

Dear Chief Clark,
    I don't any experience in Canadian civilian funerals, but in the USA the military districts will provide a color guard and flag for active duty and retired military personnel and the flag is presented to the family.
     And for just a flag .... funeral directors have them on hand since any citizen can have the flag on their coffin.  I know of no protocol in the USA that requires the flag be presented -- but I have observed that is a widely followed practice.
         -- Robert Hickey

Dear Sir,
     I do agree that if a flag is used in a funeral, then that flag should be presented to the family in respect to the decease and do note that there is no written protocol that cover this aspect of this topic.
     Once again thank you for your responce.
          Cheers,
          Timothy Clark

May a Flag that Has Draped a Coffin
Be Used Again on a Flagpole?
       A question arose which many of us “believe” we know the answer however we unable to confirm. May and American flag, that has been draped over a casket for a burial, ever be flown again? Is it considered retired and should be kept as a memorial to our military family member?
       -- Bill

Dear Bill:
        I don't think there is a definite answer for this.
        I was at the PDI-POA Educational Forum late last week when I got your note and asked several people who I would call flag experts and did not get simple Yes / No answers ....
        One said the the flag should be kept as a keepsake, boxed with the person's ribbons and medals, and not flown again.
        Another suggested it, but should be kept, but could flown on Memorial Day in honor of the individual and all who have fallen.
        Another said it could be presented to an institution or Boy Scout troop and indeed flown again if the flag was something you didn't want to keep. Or if the flag was no longer clean, in good repair or current, Scouts get  a merit badge for disposing of a flag correctly.
        Maybe If I post the question I will get some more definitive answers ... but I among those I asked was a former chief of Protocol for the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon, and the flag expert from Canadian Heritage who makes Canadian flag policy.
        What did your group say?
        -- Robert Hickey

Robert,
        There was a complete mixture of opinions from totally retiring the flag and perhaps burning to gifting to family of the deceased and as you mentioned, to offering it to another service "group" for future use and respect. THANK YOU for your information and assistance. I am sharing your email with everyone right now.
       -- Bill
 

What Is It About Americans and Their Flag?
    Robert, 
    A Google alert sent me to a story that's got me thinking. See this California.com story entitled Monterey County resident's speak of the etiquette of displaying foreign flags by Kimber Solana.
    Flag protocol seems so straight forward to me, why is it such an issue in the US? It's a rhetorical question, I know (but I do not understand) that the US flag is an untouchable issue for many citizens.
          -- John R., Canadian PSOW Graduate now living in the UK

Dear John:
     The story includes some good information on how flags are correctly displayed in official situations. Government, military and diplomatic protocol officers (as well as many others in those arenas) are sensitive to the flying of flags as national symbols.  But the general population has less knowledge of international protocols of how US and foreign flags are correctly displayed.
    As a nation of immigrants there are many flags flying in the US. I live in New York City and it is full of foreign flags. There are national-day parades for Italian-Americans, Polish-Americans, Turkish-Americans, Cuba Day, Norwegian-Americans, Haitian-Americans, Salute to Israel, Greek Independence Day, Puerto Rican-Americans, and St. Patrick's Day (Irish) and many, many more. These events are mainly of interest to the participants and their families, and are generally viewed by non-participants as symbols of cultural heritage.
    But, many people feel threatened when the flags appear (to them) to be flown as symbols of allegiance to current foreign political state.
    So when I read "This is the United States of America; there's only one flag we should fly" as the story quotes a Salinas, CA resident, I view it as another way the immigration issue has come up in public discourse.  You and many others found it to be a provocative story: there were more than 150 comments on the website last when I looked.
    As a U.K. resident, here's a question: In London, if whole neighborhoods were flying a foreign flag, would anyone ask "Where is the Union Jack?"  Perhaps those flying the foreign flag might not be thinking their neighborhood was part of a foreign political state ... but were flying it as a symbol of their cultural heritage?  But others might have a different analysis of the symbolism? Yes?  No?
    My father's parents came here from Ireland in the 1890's. They knew it was likely they would never return to Ireland when they boarded ships for the trip to the US. My grandfather told my father he didn't want to go back: his home was here.  But with air travel ties to where one was born can be closer ... and one can keep close bonds with their family who stayed behind. I constantly hear the foreign-born refer to their country of birth as "my country" ... even after they are US citizens.  
    In the US many people see moving from one state to another state as a mere detail, not a matter of substance.  I don't think this discussion is over in the USA!
             -- Robert Hickey

Dear Robert
     Many thanks for your thoughtful reply. Clearly, this was not an article about flags at all.
     I was in London today and at a guess I would say that half the flags flying were the Union Flag and the rest assorted, flying at the various hotels, embassies, corporate owners and so forth. Hardly the same issue as the one at the centre of the Monterey County controversy.
     I would have more sympathy for the US flags only within the USA opinion if Americans themselves respected other countries traditions in the same way they wish their own to be respected. My family summered in an area north of Toronto aptly nick-named Little Pittsburgh for the number of Pittsburgh families who summered there, also.  The lakes were surrounded by Old Glory, the golf club, too, although at the golf club we were able to apply international standards of flag size and order.  When I wintered in Grenada, it became an international incident (well, of Grenada proportions) when the US consulate there flew a flag the size of Central Park.  I’m sure it was visible from outer space.  Problem was, it was the largest flag on the island and the first thing visitors saw on their drive in from the airport.  There was no Grenadian flag anywhere near as large.  A polite request from the Prime Minister to the consul resulted in a not-so-polite reply and diplomatic notes had to be exchanged with Washington before the consul was ordered to replace it with a more diminutive model.  He was recalled at the end of his assignment but I wonder how much lower one can go on the diplomatic ladder than to be posted to Grenada.  Imagine, risking your career on such an issue.
     I know of no other country that places such (to aliens, exaggerated) emphasis on their flag, and good on you and so be it.  We try to understand. But it is nowhere near as sore an issue anywhere (that I know of) that it is in the USA.
          -- John R.

Dear John:
    Thanks for the 'alien' view. I've found that armed forces all over the world, with their military protocol officers, are very knowledgeable of flag protocol. Diplomats are usually knowledgeable -- so the consul's actions surprise me. The Pittsburghers are just an example of a not-knowing-the-rules / whatever-I-feel-like-doing-is-good-enough approach. The PSOW gets into flags big time because Pamela Eyring and Diane Brown, who lead the protocol trainings, are both former military protocol officers ... and they just love flags!
             -- Robert Hickey

Not Finding Your Question Answered?
Below are other topics covered in my blog and at right is a list of officials, Between the two I probably have what you are looking for.
     After hunting around a bit, if you don't see your question answered send me an e-mail. I am pretty fast at sending a reply: usually the next day (unless I am traveling.)
      If I think your question is of interest to others, I will post the question & answer – with your name and any personal specifics changed.
      -- Robert Hickey

USE OF NAMES & HONORIFICS   
Mr., Miss, Jr., III, & Names        
Married Women       
Deceased Persons         
People with Two Titles
Post-Nominal Abbreviations and Initials           
Joint Forms of Address    (How to address a couple?)   

USE OF SPECIFIC OFFICIAL TITLES        
Former Officials            
Professionals and Academics        

United States Federal Officials, Currently In Office             
United States State Officials, Currently In Office              
United States Municipal Officials, Currently In Office             
       All About The Honorable with U.S. Officials         
       Former United States Officials of all types             
United States Armed Services, Active Duty             
       Addressing Retired Personnel      
       Use of Rank by Retired Personnel      
       Use of Rank by Veterans      

Tribal Officials             
Clergy and Religious Officials           
Canadian Officials         
Australian Officials          
British Officials, Royalty, and Nobility        
Diplomats and International Representatives            
Foreign National Officials and Nobility        

SPECIFIC SITUATIONS
Business Cards       
Etiquette             
Flags and Anthem Protocol             
Introductions            
Invitations: Writing & Addressing         
Invitations: Just Armed Service Personnel        
Name Tags            
Names on Programs, Signs, & Lists            
Naming a Building or Road            
Place Cards            
Plaques, Awards, Diplomas, Certificates    
Precedence: Ordering Officials           
Thank You Notes             

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Robert Hickey is the author of Honor & Respect:
The Official Guide to Names, Titles, and Forms of Address
Published by The Protocol School of Washington®
Foreword by Pamela Eyring

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Book Photo: Marc Goodman.