Understanding the American Flag Code

When you drive through the Mat-Su on a summer day, you'll see the American flag waving from front porches, schools, and government buildings. This flag is more than just a piece of cloth with stars and stripes. For many locals and across our nation, it represents freedom, sacrifice, and the American spirit. But did you know there's an actual set of rules about properly displaying and caring for our flag? It's called the Flag Code, and understanding it helps us show respect for our country and those who have served it.

Congress created the United States Flag Code in 1942 to provide guidelines for displaying and treating the American flag. These rules cover everything from when to fly the flag to how to fold it properly. For example, the code states that the flag should fly from sunrise to sunset, though it can fly 24 hours a day if properly lit at night. The flag should never touch the ground or be used as clothing, bedding, or drapery.

One important rule many people notice is the lowering of flags to half-staff. This happens when our nation mourns the death of important figures like former presidents or when honoring those who died in national tragedies. In Alaska, the Governor can also order flags to half-staff to honor fallen Alaskans, such as service members, police officers, or firefighters who died in the line of duty.

Despite these detailed rules, the Flag Code isn't legally enforceable. The Supreme Court has ruled that punishing someone for how they treat the flag would violate free speech rights protected by the First Amendment. This means no one can be fined or put in jail for breaking the Flag Code.

Instead, following the Flag Code relies on self-policing. This means that respect for the flag comes from within each person rather than from fear of punishment. Many Americans, especially veterans who have seen friends die under that flag, feel deeply about treating it with respect. They follow these rules not because they have to, but because they want to honor what the flag represents and show gratitude and unity.

What about people who want to show respect but can't always follow every rule? For example, some businesses and homes don't have flags that can be lowered to half-staff. The Flag Code offers solutions. If you can't lower your flag, you can attach a black ribbon or streamer to the top of the flagpole. This ribbon should be the same width as a stripe on the flag and as long as the flag itself.

For those with fixed flags on houses or small display flags, simply showing the flag at all is considered respectful. The spirit of honoring our flag and what it represents matters more than perfect compliance with every detail of the code.

If you want to learn more about the Flag Code, the American Legion is an excellent resource. The Mat-Su Veterans Wall of Honor in Wasilla also provides educational materials about proper flag display. They can answer questions about local flag protocols and disposal of worn flags. Some locations, like Houston City Hall, have installed collection bins for flags needing respectful destruction.

Did you know you can get a flag that has flown over the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.? To get one of these special flags, contact one of Alaska's Congressional offices. That means reaching out to either the office of Senator Lisa Murkowski, Senator Dan Sullivan, or Representative Nick Begich. Each of their websites has a section where you can request a Capitol flag. When you make a request, you can even choose a special day for the flag to fly, such as a loved one's birthday or an anniversary. After the flag flies over the Capitol, they package and send it to you with a certificate stating the date and location of its flight. The cost is mostly for the flag itself and shipping, but many people find it worth it for such a meaningful piece of history.

Christian M. Hartley is a 40-year Alaskan resident with over 25 years of public safety experience and public service. He runs a freelance business, Big Lake Writer, from home in Big Lake that he shares with his wife of 19 years and their three teenage sons.