American, Maryland Flag Display Etiquette For Memorial Day 2021

MARYLAND — While many traditional Memorial Day services to honor those who have died while serving in the military are still on hold in 2021 because of the pandemic, residents may properly display the Stars and Stripes in Maryland and throughout America.

The American flag on Memorial Day — which falls on Monday, May 31, this year — should at first be flown at half-staff, much like at other times of national mourning.

It's not as simple as raising the flag halfway up the flagpole and walking away, though. The U.S. flag code is specific about that.

The flag should be briskly raised to the peak and remain there for an instant before it is slowly lowered to the half-staff position, where it remains until noon. Then the flag is briskly hoisted to the peak again, where Old Glory remains until sunset, when it is slowly lowered.

It's an important piece of symbolism. Until noon, the flag flies at half-staff as a memorial for the nation's war dead; for the rest of the day, it flies full and high in a salute to living veterans.

The tradition predates the 20th century, National Flag Foundation Executive Director Clark Rogers told Live Science. "For the nation lives, and the flag is a symbol of illumination," he said in explaining how the noon flag-raising symbolizes the perseverance of the nation in the face of loss.

Not everyone has a flagpole, of course.

For flags that are mounted from the side of a home, window or balcony, a black crepe streamer can be affixed to the staff immediately below the flag's spearhead — the golden ball or spear-shaped ornament at the top of the staff, according to media mogul Martha Stewart. On a standard-size flag, the crepe should be no wider than one foot.

In all cases, make sure the flag is in pristine condition and isn't tattered and torn, and that its red and white bars and the union (the blue field of stars) are bright and vibrant. If the flag is no longer suitable for display, dispose of it properly, preferably in a ceremonial burning. American Legion posts and other veteran groups often have flag-disposal ceremonies.

See Also: Everything You Need For An Amazing Memorial Day Weekend

Maryland State Flag Rules

The Maryland flag was adopted as the state flag by an act of the General Assembly in 1904, according to the secretary of state's website.

Divided into four quarters, the flag's first and fourth quarters represent the family arms of the first proprietor of Maryland, George Calvert, first Lord Baltimore, while the second and third quarters of red and white bearing a Greek cross with arms terminating in trefoils display the arms of Lord Baltimore's maternal family, the Crosslands.

When the condition of the Maryland flag is such that it is no longer fit for display, it should be disposed of in the same manner as the U.S. flag, preferably by burning.

When the Maryland flag is displayed within the state, it should occupy the position of honor (to the flag's own right, or the observer's left) after the U.S. flag and the flag of any other nation, and before the flags of other states, Maryland counties and Baltimore City, municipalities, and public or private organizations. The positions of honor in a display of flags are:

• U.S. flag in the position of highest honor (the observer's extreme left or the highest point in a grouping of flags)
• The flag or flags of other nations ranked in alphabetical order
• The Maryland flag

Observing proper etiquette is equally important at Memorial Day services at cemeteries and other venues. When the flag is hoisted:

• Spectators who aren't in military uniform should face the flag, stand at attention and place their hands over their hearts.
• Those who are in uniform should give a proper military salute.
• A man who is not in uniform, but is wearing a hat, should remove it with his right hand and hold it at his left shoulder with his palm resting on his heart.
• Attendees who are not U.S. citizens should stand at attention.
• When the flag advances in a moving column, it is appropriate for all persons to salute it as it passes.