Caring For Your Flag

1. Caring YOUR - THROUGHOUT ITS - LIFETIME FLAG FOR

2. CA RI NG F O R Y O UR F LA G - T H R O U G H O U T I T S - L I F E T I M E ~ One of the best ways to show your support for your state, country, or ideals is with a flag. Flying against the wind in all its glory, your flag is your beacon to your friends and family that you’re someone who is proud of who you are. But how do you take care of your flag? Caring for your flag, especially your American flag, requires diligence and a bit of know-how, but you can treat it with respect through all stages of use with these quick tjps below.

3. CHAPTER 1 Understand the U.S. Flag Code While we encourage you to fly the flag that best suits you, most of these tjps pertain to the American flag. As such, one of the first steps to properly caring for your flag is becoming aware of the U.S. Flag Code. The U.S. Flag Code is a set of rules and guidelines established for the care and display of the American flag. These rules range from when to raise and lower the flag, correctly angling the stars and stripes, usage beyond flying, and even how to properly remove it afuer its lifespan. While these rules are not legally binding, they are nonetheless important for honoring the American flag if it’s to be displayed publicly. Many of the next tjps reference the U.S. Flag Code, but they can stjll apply to the flag of your choice, whether you’re representjng state, team, or partjcular movement. The full list for the U.S. Flag Code can be found here. your 01 Deneve | www.deneveusa.com

4. CHAPTER 2 Determine what type of flag you want to fly Picking your flag is more than just deciding what you want to display. You also have to think about how you can display it, specifically the size of your flag and the flag pole it will fly on. Most residentjal flag poles measure out to approximately 20 fu. for 3x5 fu. flags, although 4x6 fu. flags on this pole are also common. These are best used for people who have space in their front yards installatjon. with proper As the flag you choose gets bigger, so does your flag pole. Most office instjtutjonal places like schools rely on a flag pole between 40 fu. to 60 fu. This means that the flag you fly would measure in from anywhere between 8x12 fu. to 12x18 fu. A good rule of thumb in this case is choosing a flag at least ¼ to ⅓ the size of your flag pole. buildings and However, you don’t have to fly your flag with a 20 fu. pole, nor do you even have to fly it in your front yard or place of business. Most residentjal areas, especially apartment complexes, have resorted to wall-mounted flag poles to fly their 3x5 fu. flags. Many of these poles are approximately 6 fu. and spin in order to prevent the flag from being tangled up in windy weather. 02 Deneve | www.deneveusa.com

5. CHAPTER 3 Positjon your flag correctly Once you have your flag, it’s important to know how to positjon it correctly. While flying a state flag or one that represents something you support can be as simple as displaying the emblem prominently, the American flag has specific guidelines for how it should be positjoned. Positjoning the American flag for proper respect is based on where the union (blue area with white stars) is located. When flying the flag horizontally on a traditjonal flag pole or a wall-mounted pole, the union should be adorned closest to the pole. In other words, it should be positjoned to the flag’s right and the spectator’s lefu. You can hang your flag vertjcally as well, but it too also comes with specificatjons. The union should be positjoned at the top of the flag, never at the botuom unless as a means to represent extreme distress. These distjnctjons are for the American flag, but they can also apply to other flags that use the union/stripes imagery as well. 03 Deneve | www.deneveusa.com

6. CHAPTER 4 Raise your flag in the morning Raising your flags can be a proud moment, but there are specific tjmes of day to which you should do it, regardless of what flag you’re flying. Based on the U.S. Flag Code, the flag is meant to be raised at sunrise. This gives your flag the light it needs to be shown in the daytjme with proper respect. It is also meant to be briskly raised for immediate honor, so do not treat it as a meandering actjvity. There are exceptjons to raising your flag in the day. In partjcular, your flag should not be raised during inclement weather such as heavy rain. This will prevent it from gettjng damaged or torn off and risk touching the ground. Nonetheless, raising your flag should be a daily occurrence when possible. 04 Deneve | www.deneveusa.com

7. CHAPTER 5 Lowering your flag at night Like all good things, you can only raise your flags so ofuen during the day. Nighttjme is no exceptjon as the U.S. Flag Code dictates that you are to lower your flag before night hours. Unlike raising the flag, which requires brisk motjon to signify the start of the day, you lower the flag down slowly. This is to ensure that the moment is respectgul and not rushed, especially if you are doing so in the presence of others. The main reason behind lowering the flag at night is due to the lack of light provided to the flag, and it is customary to give the flag respect when such light is not present. If you are flying other flags, this guideline is not necessarily mandated. However, it is stjll a good procedure to follow as it can keep your flag from gettjng damaged during overnight storms or weather, especially in the early morning hours that you would be asleep. 05 Deneve | www.deneveusa.com

8. CHAPTER 6 Lightjng your flag with a flag light Tying back into the previous tjp, you might be wondering about flags that are stjll risen during nighttjme hours at businesses or office spaces. The reason for that is the special light installed near the base of the flag that gives it extra illuminatjon, providing a substjtute for sunlight. You too can install your own flag light on your property, but that requires additjonal tjme and resources (not to mentjon costs). For most residentjal flag users that want to fly their flag at night, they rely on solar-powered flag lights installed just below the flag ornament at the top. The benefit of using a solar-powered flag light is that it will charge during the day and provide the light necessary to keep your flags in accordance with the U.S. Flag Code at night. Many of them are easy-to-install and require litule if any instructjons on use. Even if you’re flying a flag on a wall-mounted pole, models are being made that give the same type of light in a more convenient size. That way, no matuer what type of flag you fly, you’re stjll able to keep it going even afuer the sun goes down. In fact, one of the top-selling solar flag light companies for your American, state, and local flags can be found in just a short click away. 06 Deneve | www.deneveusa.com

9. CHAPTER 7 Storing your flags for safekeeping When your flags are not in use, proper storage will prevent most damages that come its way. A few tjps for storing include: KEEP AWAY FROM SUNLIGHT Keeping your flags stored away from sunlight is a must if you want to prevent exposure to extra UV rays. This will keep it in top shape and not degrade from ultraviolet exposure. KEEP AWAY FROM MOISTURE Make sure your flag is kept away from extreme moisture and humidity. One key way to prevent moisture damage is to store it in an airtjght container such as a tube. DO NOT STORE IN PLASTIC BAGS Do not store your flag in plastjc bags - much worse garbage bags. This is not only bad form for respect but it will increase the amount of wrinkles your flag has when you bring it back out. DO NOT LET IT TOUCH THE GROUND Never let your flag touch the ground. This is considered one of the most disrespectgul acts when handling a flag. 07 Deneve | www.deneveusa.com

10. CHAPTER 8 Folding your flags properly Regardless of whether you’re transportjng the flag or simply puttjng it away for storage, learning how to fold your flag is a sure sign to show proper decorum. To fold the American flag: Lay your flag across a table or flat surface that is not the ground. (fig.1) 1 Startjng from the botuom, fold the lower sectjon of the flag over the top sectjon horizontally, covering the union. (fig.2) 2 Startjng from the botuom, fold the botuom half of the flag over the top half of the flag horizontally to expose the union again. (fig.3) 3 Fold the botuom right corner of the flag to the top of the flag, creatjng a triangle. Turn the fold inward to contjnue making the triangle shape. (fig.4) 4 Contjnue folding the triangle patuern untjl the entjre flag is folded, leaving a triangle that only displays the union. (fig.5) 5 This same folding technique can apply to any flag that has a stars-and-stripes patuern. 08 Deneve | www.deneveusa.com

11. CHAPTER 9 Clean your flag ofuen Your flags are a representatjon of you, so it only makes sense that you would keep it clean and tjdy for others to see. Afuer all, you wouldn’t want others to see you as unkempt, right? The U.S. Flag Code has no specificatjons for washing your flag, but you can certainly put yours in the washing machine if it’s made of nylon, polyester, or another washable material. You want to be gentle with washing it, so cold water and a delicate cycle is advised. Alternatjvely, handwash your flags using cold water and non-abrasive material. The caveat here is that if it’s an American flag, you want to prevent it from touching the ground for additjonal respect. you can also Afuer you get done washing the flag, let it air dry or lay it across a flat surface. Use this tjme to inspect it for any tears near the grommets (metal openings along the edge closest to the pole for you to hang the flag) or frays that can be trimmed. Having a flag that is cleaned routjnely and given proper maintenance goes a long way towards showing true respect and saving tjme and money in the long run. 09 Deneve | www.deneveusa.com

12. CHAPTER 10 Destroying your flag afuer a full lifetjme of use Just like with anything, your flag has a limited lifespan. From weather to constant use to outside factors, your flag may end up in less-than-optjmal shape. Throwing your flag away is a sign of disrespect, so American flags are destroyed respectgully with fire in accordance with the U.S. Flag Code. Ceremonies are ofuen conducted for destroying flags properly, typically held on Flag Day (June 14th). You can donate your flag for destructjon in a fittjng moment with the American Legion. It is done in a safe manner with a controlled fire that can be easily extjnguished. 1 It is done respectgully, including folding the flag, preheatjng the fire before destructjon, and recitjng the Pledge of Allegiance with a salute while burning. 2 The same ceremony can be done at home as long as the following conditjons are met: Taking care of your flag from first purchase to its last moments requires a great deal of atuentjon, respect, and admiratjon. Whether you’re gettjng a flag for your state, country, or yourself, always treat it as the treasured item it is, and let others know about how they can get their own flags. Happy flying! 10 Deneve | www.deneveusa.com