A flag is a symbol that can mean a variety of things. For many, displaying their country's flag, state flag or flags from affiliated groups gives a person a sense of pride and inclusion. Knowing how to properly display that flag is essential to maintain the honor and reverence it deserves.

If you are displaying multiple flags on the same flagpole, there is a hierarchy to what is displayed on the top down to the bottom. The United States flag should always be displayed on the top of the flagpole. After that, state and local government flags come next if you choose to display those. Military flags are next, and to properly display them they should be put in order from the oldest established branch to the youngest. For the U.S. military, this means that the Army flag is first, followed by the Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and then Coast Guard.

The American flag and other service flags are typically only flown on specific days of the year, such as federal holidays, memorial and remembrance days. However, if your flagpole is properly illuminated for continual display, you can display it throughout the year. Proper illumination includes having enough light to be seen in the middle of the night. Those who do not want to light it at night can take is down at sunset and raise it again at sunrise to show proper respect to the flags you display.

There are also rules about flying in bad weather. Since many flags today are made with weather-resistant materials, they can be flown in rainy weather. However, flags should always be taken down if the weather is particularly bad, such as high winds or in serious weather events. By taking your flag down in these instances, you can make sure that your flag will last for years to come.
If you are interested in getting one or more flags for your home or business flagpole, you can take a look at Armed Services flags from FlagStoreUSA.com and other companies that specialize in creating durable flags. That way, you can honor your country, your service or the service of others.