Not every knows that there are specific rules about flying the American flag and especially on Memorial Day. Wicker & Wilde fully admit that we didn't know a lot of these but now we know!
Betsy Ross gets the credit for creating the original United States flag in 1777 with 13 stripes and 13 stars for the original colonies. As the country got bigger, the flag has various changes. Then in 1923, Congress created the rules and regulations to display, and show respect for, the flag: the U.S. National Flag Code. The Flag Code then became law in 1942.
For starters, the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs instructs, "On Memorial Day the flag should be flown at half-staff from sunrise until noon only, then raised briskly to the top of the staff until sunset, in honor of the nation’s battle heroes."
If you are unable to display the flag at half-staff, you can display your flag with a black mourning ribbon to show respect. Place the one foot wide or less ribbon just below the spearhead of the flag and let it drape down.
There is also a proper way to display the flag at a veteran's grave. It should be place in the center and one foot away from the headstone.
Believe it or not, unless your flag is an all-weather flag, it shouldn't be displayed in bad weather.
The only time the flag should be displayed upside down is if you're trying to convey a sign of distress or great danger.
Flag information aside, please have a safe, meaningful, and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend. Wicker and Wilde love you!
