For our purposes, flagpole means a permanent pole in the ground and flagstaff is one that is carried. For flagpoles a general rule of thumb is the height of the flag should be 1/3 or 1/5 the height of the flagpole (the pole should be three or five times the height of the flag). Here is an example. For a twenty-five …
The Flagpole with Two Halyards and the Intended Direction of Display
DrillMaster explains his helpful term, Intended Direction of Display, when raising flags on a stationary flagpole with two halyards.
The Case for Cased Flags and Colors
A Cased Flag At right is a picture of a cased flag (this is a folded interment flag). Once the American flag is folded, it is considered cased and does not receive a salute. Here is an example: the flag is brought down in the evening from a stationary flagpole. The team folds it, forms up and marches away (with …
When, Where and How to Refold a Flag
A Badly folded flag All across America folded American, state, territorial and tribal flags are presented to the next of kin (NOK) of fallen military and first responder veterans. Unfortunately, some of these flags are poorly folded and still handed off. I’ve witnessed a folded flag in the hands of a first responder who was sincerely trying to cover the …
Disrespect to the American Flag
Burning the America Flag We, as Americans burn our beloved flag when it is old, worn and tattered. We burn it in a special Flag Retirement Ceremony. As a matter of fact, in many cities across America, scout and veteran groups take in flags for this specific purpose. They will ceremonially burn one flag representing all of the others (sometimes …
Honoring the POW/MIA Flag When Posting the Colors
How do you honor the POW/MIA flag when posting the colors? Great question! Here is the answer: The POW/MIA color is not specifically honored when the colors are posted/presented. For a ceremony, after the colors are presented or posted, that is when the POW/MIA color can be brought in and posted. How the flag is brought in is up to …
Folding the American Flag with Two People
The 2-Man Flag Fold (relax, “man” does not always mean “male,” in this case it denotes position) Many have attempted it and many have failed miserably. The following video shows, in general, how to accomplish folding the American flag. At a later date, I will go into great detail on how this is done. In the mean time, there is …
Flying an Interment Flag
DrillMaster explains that you can fly an interment flag!
Disgraceful use of the American Flag
Disgraceful use of the American Flag: I have quite a bit of information on my website detailing how to properly use and dispose of an American flag. There are other websites that have similar information and then there are the government websites that have the full text of the US Flag Code. Having said all that, I’m not going to …
Ask DrillMaster: State Flag on a Casket?
Question: I have been searching for an answer to a question and cannot find it. I hope you can help me. The question is what is the meaning of a state flag draped over a coffin? Answer: Hello James, thank you very much for the question.I’ve answered it here to help inform others who may have the same question. The …