Written by Brad Washabaugh
VBC Board Member and retired Marine Corps Colonel Brad Washabaugh recently a 30-question US flag etiquette trivia quiz that he crafted for his family gathering on Memorial Day. In honor of Flag Day, we post a version of the quiz here in three parts. Part 1 is below. Part 2 is more difficult. And Part 3 is for hardcore flag etiquette experts. Good luck! The most up-to-date and complete US Flag Code is available on the US House of Representatives website. Military.com also has a thorough US Flag Code summary.
Results
#1. What must you have to fly your flag outdoor 24 hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week, year round? Mark all that apply.
Select all that apply:
The flag should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement so as not to sustain damage. All-weather flags may be flown in rain, wind, snow. Flags should only be flown from sunrise to sunset outdoors. It may be flown at night if illuminated all night.
#2. When displaying the flag vertically or horizontally, the blue field with stars should be which side from the observer's standpoint?
#3. From the observer's perspective, the flag should always appear on which side of a flag procession?
#4. From the audience's perspective, the flag should appear on which side of a speaker?
#5. What's wrong with this picture?
Select all that apply:
#6. When the President of the United States walks by the US flag, the holder of the flag should do what?
#7. It is proper to hang the US flag upside down in protest of federal policy.
The flag should never be displayed upside down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.
#8. Members of the Armed Forces and Veterans of the Armed Forces who are present but not in uniform are permitted to salute the US Flag as it passes in parade or in review, as well as during the playing of the National Anthem.
#9. A tattered or soiled flag should be folded and placed in the trash.
The Flag Code suggests that when a flag has served its useful purpose, “it should be destroyed, preferably by burning.”
#10. You should notify the proper authorities such as the police to report violations of the US Flag code.
While the U.S. Flag Code is a federal law, guidelines are only stated within the voluntary and non-binding language such as, “should” and “custom,” meaning there is no penalty for violating any of its provisions.
