Flag Day is June 14 - celebrate respectfully Published June 12, 2013 By Patricia Schwab-Holloway 349th Public Affairs TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- As citizens of the United States of America, we celebrate Flag Day on June 14. The rules for handling and displaying the U.S. Flag are defined by a law known as the U.S. Flag Code. The following is some guidance taken from the United States Code Title 4 Chapter 1. -Pledge of allegiance to the flag; manner of delivery "I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." The pledge should be rendered by standing at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. When not in uniform men should remove any non-religious headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute. -Time and occasions for display 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 twenty-four hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness. The flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously. The flag should not be displayed on days when the weather is inclement, except when an all-weather flag is displayed. The flag should be displayed on all days, especially on New Year's Day, January 1 Inauguration Day, January 20 Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday, observed third Monday in January Lincoln's Birthday, February 12 Washington's Birthday, observed third Monday in February Easter Sunday (varies) Mother's Day, second Sunday in May Armed Forces Day, third Saturday in May Memorial Day (half-staff until noon), the last Monday in May Flag Day, June 14 Father's Day, third Sunday in June Independence Day, July 4 Labor Day, first Monday in September Constitution Day, September 17 Columbus Day, second Monday in October Navy Day, October 27 Veterans Day, November 11 Thanksgiving Day, fourth Thursday in November Christmas Day, December 25 Other days as may be proclaimed by the President of the United States The birthdays of States (date of admission) On State holidays The flag should be displayed daily on or near the main administration building of every public institution. The flag should be displayed in or near every polling place on election days. The flag should be displayed during school days in or near every schoolhouse. -Respect for flag No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America; the flag should not be dipped to any person or thing. Regimental colors, State flags, and organization or institutional flags are to be dipped as a mark of honor. -Conduct during hoisting, lowering or passing of flag During the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the flag or when the flag is passing in a parade or in review, all persons present in uniform should render the military salute. Members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute. All other persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, or if applicable, remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Citizens of other countries present should stand at attention. All such conduct toward the flag in a moving column should be rendered at the moment the flag passes. Take some time out this June 14th and celebrate the proud heritage of our great nation's flag! To see the full text of the U.S. Flag Code visit: http://uscode.house.gov/download/pls/04C1.txt.