How to Fly the U.S. Flag on Memorial Day

Memorial Day (last Monday in May) honors those who died in U.S. military service. The flag protocol is specific and solemn:

Half-Staff Until Noon

1. Raise the flag briskly to the peak of the staff.
2. Lower it slowly to the half-staff position (midway).
3. Keep it at half-staff from sunrise until 12:00 noon.
4. At noon, raise it briskly to full staff for the remainder of the day.

Additional Guidelines

• Fly from a staff at least 10 feet high.
• Illuminate the flag if displayed at night.
• Do not fly in severe weather (unless all-weather flag).
• Never fly upside down except as a distress signal.
• Half-staff may also be ordered for death of a service member or official until burial.

This ritual symbolizes mourning the fallen in the morning and honoring their sacrifice with renewed resolve in the afternoon.