For POW/MIA Recognition Day, the third Friday in September, the US flag is not lowered to half-staff.
A DrillMaster Study of Sea Service Flag Protocol
Initially, the issue of US Navy and Coast Guard flagstaff finials can be complicated, but we will go through this systematically. A finial is the ornament or topper that is on the top of a flagstaff or mast. A flagstaff is only for static indoor display and to be carried by a color guard and a flag mast (flagpole) is …
The Flag Drapes What?
Apparently, the Flag Code and military manuals are not enough for Americans to understand that the flag is special and needs to be treated with honor at all times.
“Praise in Public” and Flag Protocol
Not long ago I received a private message, one that I have received, in essence, a few times before over the years. However, this time it was from an O-10 (Colonel/Captain).
Flag Protocol and the Marching Band Color Guard
Marching band and drum corps directors, color guard instructors, and flag printing companies have a very big responsibility to not violate Title 4 of the US Code, the Flag Code.
Why We Carry Flagstaffs at the Same Level
Nothing magical happens when the staffs are lifted from the marching surface that requires the American flag/color to be carried higher. Let me restate that. We do not carry the American flag higher than others flags except when two physical limitations are met.
Reader’s Digest, you are Partially Wrong
Andy Simmons wrote an article entitled, 12 Flag Etiquette Mistakes You Didn’t Realize You Were Making. He does a good job of identifying 9 subjects but has no idea about three of them.
Olympic Flag Protocol
For international flag protocol, this is accepted. This image is from the International Olympic Committee when the organization announced the USA would have the 2034 Olympic games in Salt Lake City, UT. I am not a fan of this in the least. The Olympic flag is placed to the right of national flags as far as the IOC is concerned. …
Salutes for Color Bearers
PGR members line funeral processions and are usually holding flags on makeshift staffs. Nothing wrong with that at all. Specifically, some members want to give more and possibly feel that “just” standing in line with a flagstaff in the right hand isn’t enough. Many members will now hold the staff in the left hand and render some type of salute.
Consideration of Color Bearer Height and Waist Level is Mandatory
It boggles my mind that harness socket height is rarely considered. It’s time members of a color guard were made aware of the requirement. MCO 5060.20 states that colors are carried at the same level. If that is not possible, the national colors can be minimally higher but NEVER lower. TC 3-21.5 states colors are carried at the same level/height.