The Flag of the United States shall be thirteen alternate red and white horizontal stripes and the union of the flag shall be fifty white stars in a blue field.  The Flag of the United States represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing.

Displaying the United States Flag 

1. When displayed over the middle of the street the U.S. Flag should be suspended vertically with the union to the North on a East/West street and to the East on a North/South street.   When displayed with another flag with crossed staffs on a wall the U.S. Flag should be on the flag's own right (on viewers left) and it's staff in front of the other flag. 

2. When displayed at half-mast (one half the the distance between top and bottom of the display pole) the U.S. Flag should be first raised to the peak of the pole and then lowered to half-mast.  When lowered from half-mast the U.S. Flag should be first raised to the peak of the pole and then lowered.  When the U.S. Flag is at half-mast all adjacent flags should be at half-mast and lower then the U.S. Flag. 3.  When displayed on a projecting pole from any structure, rail, sill, fence, or building at horizontal or any angle above horizontal the U.S. Flag's union should be at the peak of the pole.

4. The U.S. Flag should never be used as a covering for a ceiling or overhead decoration for any occasion.  

5. The U.S. Flag should always be at the peak of a pole when other flags from States, cities, localities, or societies are flown on the same halyard as the U.S. Flag. 

6.  When the U.S. Flag is flown with other flags on adjacent poles, the U.S. Flag should always be raised first and lowered last.  The adjacent flags should never be displayed above the U.S. Flag.  The U.S. Flag should be displayed to a speakers right and any adjacent flags should be displayed to the U.S. Flags left. 

7.  When the U.S. Flag is used to cover a casket, it should be placed (draped) so the union is at the head and over the left shoulder.  The flag should not be lowered into a grave or allowed to touch the ground.

8.  When the U.S. flag is displayed in a manner other then on a pole it should lay flat with the union to the top and to the flags own right.  The U.S. flag should never be displayed crumpled or folded and always be alllowed to fly freely with out incumberance.

9.  When carried in a parade the U.S. Flag should always be on the marching right or in front and in the center of a line of other accompaning flags.  When the U.S. Flag passes in a procession all present should face the flag and salute or cover their heart with their right hand.  All non-religious headcovering should be removed as the U.S. Flag passes in procession, during a recitation of the "Pledge of Allegiance" to the flag, during ceremonial military gun salute, and any performance of the National Anthem of the United States of America.

10. When displayed on a vehicle the U.S. Flag should be fixed firmly to the chassis or front right fender and never draped over any part of the vehicle.   When displayed on a float in a parade the U.S. Flag should be draped on the float and only displayed on a staff and allowed to fly freely.  The U.S. Flag should never be used as the covering for a statue or monument.

11. When flags of two or more nations are displayed they should be flown from seperate poles and at the same height.  In times of peace the display of the flag of one nation should not be above the flag of another nation.

12. The U.S. Flag should never be displayed with the union down (upside down) except in times of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life and property.  

13. The U.S. Flag should never be used in any manner in commercial advertising, for sales banners, or commercial promotions.  The U.S. Flag should never be worn as an article of costume, uniform, clothing, decoration, or drapery.   The U.S. Flag can be used as decoration in the form of a patch only on the uniform of public safety and military personel.  A U.S. Flag replica pin may be worn as a lapel pin over the left lapel near the heart.

14. The U.S. Flag should never be flown when frayed, soiled, torn or in any other condition that does not reflect respect for the flag.  When worn beyond respectful condition the U.S. flag can be retired and disposed of in a dignified way, preferably by burning.  The Veterans of Foreign Wars accepts U.S. flags for disposal.   

15. The U.S. Flag should always be raised briskly and lowered slowly.  The U.S. Flag should only fly during daylight hours unless properly lighted at night time.  The U.S. Flag should not be flown in inclement weather unless the flag is constructed with all-weather material.

16. The U.S. Flag should be displayed near every public institution, every polling place on election days, and every school house on every school day.