These are some rules to keep in mind when handeling and displaying the flag of the United States of America.

1. Etiquette of the Flag of the United States of America By: Gilbert Antonio Celaya http://angelfirememorial.com/images/vet-flag2.jpg

2. Nicknames Old Glory Stars and Stripes The Star Spangled Banner http://angelfirememorial.com/images/vet-flag2.jpg

3. Stars and Stripes 13 Red and White Stripes represent the 13 Original Colonies 50 White Stars represent the states of the Union http://www.stagedhomes.com/images/20091028%20-%20American%20Flag.jpg

4. Union Jack The blue field with white stars is known as the Union Jack. This was used as the United States Navel Union Jack from 1960-2002. http://www.uscgauxfremont.org/images/usunionjack.gif

5. History More than 20 flags have represented the United States and her colonies http://www.sodahead.com/united-states/what-does-the-rebel-flag-mean-to-you/question-875431/?link=ibaf&imgurl=http://www.flagline.com/images/us_flag_history_design.jpg&q=american%2Bflag%2Bhistory

6. DisplayHow to fly and hang the flaghttp://www.stagedhomes.com/images/20091028%20-%20American%20Flag.jpg

7. Vertical and HorizontalWhen displaying the flag against a wall, vertically or horizontally, the flag's union (stars) should be at the top, to the flag's own right, and to the observer's left. http://wapedia.mobi/thumb/3ad1500/en/fixed/316/599/Vertical_United_States_Flag.svg?format=jpg http://www.stagedhomes.com/images/20091028%20-%20American%20Flag.jpg

8. Color Guard“When you fly the flag, like let’s say in a color guard, you place the American Flag to the far left, and all other flags to the right of it.” - United States Army Vietnam Veteran Specialist 4 Gilberto G. Celaya, Sr. http://www.defense.gov/home/images/photos/2005-01/photoessays/pi20050120a4.jpg Picture Courtesy of Sergeant Gonzalo X. Celaya, United States Marine Crops.

9. Color Guard The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing, unless it is the ensign responding to a salute from a ship of a foreign nation. This tradition comes from the 1908 Summer Olympics in London, where countries were asked to dip their flag to King Edward VII: the American team flag bearer, Ralph Rose, refused in support of an Irish Boycott over Great Britain’s refusal to grant Irish independence, and teammate Martin Sheridan is often stated as famously proclaiming that "this flag dips to no earthly king.” This tradition was codified as early as the 1911 U.S. Army drill regulations http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a4/USMC_Color_Guard.jpg/250px-USMC_Color_Guard.jpg

10. DistressThe flag should never be displayed with the union (the starred blue union) down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.http://drkatesview.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/flagindistress.jpg

11. In MourningPlace the flag at half-staff (or half-mast, on ships), hoist it to the peak for an instant and lower it to a position half way between the top and bottom of the staff. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1lGFYYNkw_o/S-MX6PwDiAI/AAAAAAAAA3o/dzLduO3xitA/s1600/!!FlagHalfStaff.jpg

12. No OtherNo other flag should be placed above it. The flag of the United States is always the first flag raised and the last to be lowered. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2053/2412189917_6df8cebb32.jpg

13. Colors At Night“It used to be that you had to take the flag down at night time. But now, if you fly the flag at night, you have to keep it illuminated throughout the night.” - United States Army Vietnam Veteran Specialist 4 Gilberto G. Celaya, Sr.http://www.ahrc.se/new/contents/media/images/187WhiteHouse2Wnight.jpghttp://farm4.static.flickr.com/3650/3560722399_5c79f283b7.jpg http://inlinethumb42.webshots.com/7081/2228042420103332577S600x600Q85.jpg

14. Not As ClothingThe flag should not be used as "wearing apparel”. The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform.http://uhaweb.hartford.edu/SABIA/dreamteam.jpghttp://gopapparel.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/american_flag.jpghttp://www.flagclothes.com/images/homepage_left_fixed.jpghttp://americanflagbikini.net/images/heidi-montag-american-flag-bikini.jpg

15. ExceptionsExcept that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, firefighters, police officers, and members of patriotic organizations. http://thepeoplescube.com/images/US_Army_DoingTheWorkOf.jpg

16. NeverThe flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything. It should not be embroidered, printed, or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use. http://wwwdelivery.superstock.com/WI/223/1566/X1304/PreviewComp/SuperStock_1566-0176441.jpg http://www.1stforparties.com/partysupplies/images/flag%20napkins.jpg

17. GraffitiThe flag should never have placed on it, or attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind. http://emeraldcityguy.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/mccainflag.jpg

18. DisrespectContrary to an urban legend, the flag code does not state that a flag that touches the ground should be burned. Instead, the flag should be moved so it is not touching the ground. Also, the flag should never be stepped on. http://flagsgonewild.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/protestor_us_flag_103.jpg http://www.pensitoreview.com/images/photo-buprsh-stpranding-on-flag.jpg

20. Folding the FlagThough not part of the official Flag Code, according to military custom, flags should be folded into a triangular shape when not in use. Each fold of the flag also carries a deeper meaning, which is recited at the Flag Folding Ceremony said during holidays including Memorial Day and Veterans Day. For instructions on how to fold the flag, please resort to the United States Flag Code. http://photos.upi.com/slideshow/lbox/564f2e2e0e5470ac3bd646ffff0db672/Soldiers-fold-American-Flag.jpg http://danieldeubank.files.wordpress.com/2010/11/folded_flag.jpg http://www.34thinfantry.com/imgs/flagfolding.jpg

21. Etiquette of the Flag of the United States of AmericaInformation for this project was gathered from the United States Flag Code, New World Encyclopedia, and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_the_United_States. Special thank you to:Post Master Earl Carry VFW Post 574 Madeley-Roberts Post, Plainville, CTand to my father: Vietnam Veteran Specialist E-4 Gilberto G. Celayahttp://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff244/ubercomments/holidays/4thOfJuly/075.jpg Etiquette of the Flag of the United States of AmericaInformation for this project was gathered from the United States Flag Code, World Book Encyclopedia, and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_the_United_States.Special thank you to:Post Master Earl Carry VFW Post 574 Madeley-Roberts Post, Plainville, CTto my father: United States Army Vietnam Veteran Specialist 4 Gilberto G. Celaya, Sr. and to my brother: Sergeant Gonzalo X. Celaya, United States Marine Crops. http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff244/ubercomments/holidays/4thOfJuly/075.jpg