Veterans Day

• Veterans Day is one of many days when the American flag should be flown. Typically, flags are flown from sunrise to sunset. However, if you wish to fly a flag at night, you may, as long as it is properly illuminated. Other mandatory flag-flying days, to name a few, are New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Independence Day and Memorial Day. The flag should be raised and lowered ceremoniously and, unless it is an all-weather flag, should not displayed during inclement weather.
  
  

Flags and Protests

• Veterans Day may be a particularly attractive day to protest certain political issues for some. While there is nothing wrong with protesting any government policies and interventions, some protests use the American flag in ways that contradict the Flag Code. In particular, the flag should not be displayed upside down, thrown on the ground or burned. Showing respect for the flag does not in any way limit one's ability to protest.
  
  

Uses

• The holiday is also well-known for picnics and barbecues. Though admirable, efforts to express patriotism with the use of napkins, plates, silverware, blankets and even foodstuffs adorned with the flag go against the Flag Code, which states the flag should not be represented on anything that is for temporary use and thus subsequently discarded. This could even be interpreted to include things such as cakes frosted like flags.
  
  

Flying a Flag

• A flag flown from a house is traditionally flown to the right or left of the front door, in a position of prominence. When flying the American flag next to other flags, several protocols should be followed. If for instance, when flying an American flag, a state flag and a company flag are on three adjacent flagpoles, the American flag goes in the leftmost position if all three poles are the same height. If, for example, the center pole is the highest, the American flag goes on the highest one. POW-MIA flags are typically flown under the American flag. However, no flag is to be flown above the American flag, even on different poles.
  
  

Funerals

• With Veterans Day commemorating both the living and the dead who have served, funeral flag protocol is something to keep in mind. You do not have to be a member of the service to be buried with a flag. However, members of the military are the only ones who are provided flags for free at a funeral service, and this is done by their branch of the service. Flags for veterans, not those who have died in active duty, are provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs. A veteran may be buried with his or her body wrapped in the American flag if it is specifically requested.