Napa Valley Register-Representative addresses proper flag protocol

I am glad to see that throughout our district, American flags are proudly displayed on homes, businesses and in town squares. Wherever a flag is flown, it is a symbol of the freedoms men and women throughout our history have marched, fought and died to secure.

It was flown on the beach in Normandy. It was raised over Iwo Jima. Through the haze of tear gas and the smack of billy clubs, it was carried over the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala. It has draped the coffins of countless heroes who have fallen overseas.

Not only does the flag represent our history, it represents our nation's highest ideals. To respect the flag is to respect the freedoms for which it stands.

Many people have contacted my office concerned about the way some American flags are displayed or used, and with questions regarding flag protocol. I'm pleased to share with you some established flag protocol.

Please find flag protocol provided from the United States Code below. A full list is available at senate.gov.

- It is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during darkness.

- The flag should not be draped over the hood, top, sides, or back of a vehicle or of a railroad train or a boat.

- No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America; the flag should not be dipped from its vertical carrying position to any person or thing. Regimental colors, state flags, and organization or institutional flags are to be dipped from their vertical carrying position as a mark of honor.

- The flag should never be displayed upside-down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.

- The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water or merchandise.

- The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free.

- The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding or drapery.

- When the flag of the United States is displayed from a staff projecting horizontally or at an angle from the window sill, balcony, or front of a building, the union or blue field of the flag should be placed at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half-staff.

- Coming out the front of the house, the flag should be on the right of the door.

- When used on a speaker's platform, the flag, if displayed flat, should be displayed above and behind the speaker. When displayed from a staff in a church or public auditorium, the flag of the United States of America should hold the position of honor at the clergyman's or speaker's right as he or she faces the audience. Any other flag so displayed should be placed on the left of the speaker.

- When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union, or blue field, should be uppermost and to the observer's left. When displayed in a window, the flag should be displayed in the same way, with the union or blue field to the left of the observer in the street.

- No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform. However, a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations. The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. If worn on the lapel, the flag should be worn on the left lapel.

- The flag, when carried in a procession with another flag or flags, should be either on the flag's own right, or, if there is a line of other flags, in front of the center of that line.

- The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.

- The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. It should not be embroidered on such articles as cushions or handkerchiefs, printed or otherwise impressed on paper napkins or boxes or anything designed for temporary use and discard. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is flown.

- The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.

If you would like to order a flag that has been flown over the U.S. Capitol, you can visit my website and fill out a request form.

Thank you for taking the time to read this flag protocol. I encourage everyone to fly our colors proudly â€" and respectfully.