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Revised 8/2016
Ruritan and the American Flag
Pledge of Allegiance
“I pledge allegiance to the flag of the Unit-
ed States of America and to the republic
for which it stands, one nation under God,
indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
When you are pledging allegiance, stand erect and look
directly toward the flag.
The Pledge of Allegiance should be rendered by standing
at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart.
When not in uniform, men should remove their headdress with
their right hand and hold it at their left shoulder, the hand be-
ing over the heart.
Persons in military uniform should remain silent, face the
flag, and render the military salute.
United States Flag Display Etiquette
When to Fly the Flag
at Half-Staff
When flown at half-staff, the Flag should be first hoisted
to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff
position. The Flag should be raised to the peak again before it
is lowered for the day. On Memorial Day, the Flag should be
displayed at half-staff until noon only, then raised to the top
of the staff. By order of the President of the United States, the
Flag shall be flown at half-staff upon the death of principal
figures of the United States Government or the Governor of
a State, territory or possession, as a mark of respect to their
memory. The Flag shall be flown at half-staff thirty days from
the death of the President or a former President, ten days from
the day of death of the Vice President, the Chief Justice or
retired Chief Justice of the United States, or the Speaker of
the House of Representatives. The Flag shall also be flown at
half-staff from the day of death until interment of an Associate
Justice of the Supreme Court, a Secretary of an executive or
military department, a former Vice President, or the Governor
of a State, territory or possession, and flown at half-staff on the
day of death and the following day for a Member of Congress.
A brochure entitled “Etiquette of the Stars and
Stripes” is available:
Martin Flag Company,
1210 First Avenue North
P.O. Box 1118
Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501
Telephone: (515) 576-0481
To Learn More About The American Flag . . .
It is important that each Ruritan club or district display an
American Flag at all meetings. When displayed flat on the
wall, the blue field should be top left to the observer. The
Flag of the United States should hold the position of superior
prominence; both in advance of the audience and in the posi-
tion of honor at the speaker’s right as he faces the audience.
In displaying flag sets on the head table, the American
Flag should be on the speaker’s right and the Ruritan Flag
on the left.
With other flags, such as flags of states, cities, or
associations, or in a decorative grouping of flags, the Flag of
the United States is in the middle, on a staff longer than the
others.
The Flag should never be used as a decoration. Red, white
and blue bunting should be used instead. The Flag should
never be embroidered on such articles as cushions, handker-
chiefs, etc., printed, or otherwise impressed on paper napkins
or boxes or anything that is designed for temporary use and
discarded.
When hanging the American Flag in a vertical position
against a wall, the stars should be in the upper left hand cor-
ner. The Flag should always be allowed to fall free. It should
never be fastened, displayed, or stored in any manner which
would permit it to be easily torn. The American Flag should
never be used on a costume or athletic uniform. The Flag
should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.
Disposal of American Flags
When a flag has served its useful purpose, it should be
destroyed, preferably by burning. This should be done dis-
cretely so the act of destruction is not perceived as a protest or
desecration.
Hold Flag Disposal and Replacement Ceremonies on June
14, Flag Day, or anytime. Flag replacement ceremonies also
create a dignified and solemn occasion for the disposal of
unusable flags.
General