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| Installing a Flagpole |
| This DIY kit shows you know to install a flagpole in your yard. |
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Materials: 14' x 2" wooden pole
Quick-set concrete
Posthole digger
Level
Tape measure
Drill
Pulley, rope and cleat
Spring clips
Flag - Assess the size of your house and your landscaping design to determine what size pole is best suited for your home.
- Once you've decided on the height you'll want aboveground, add 10 percent to allow for the length of the pole you'll need to bury.
- Dig the hole four times wider than the diameter of the pole (figure A), and dig down at least 10 percent of the pole's length.
- Attach a pulley to one end of your prepainted pole and attach a cleat about 5' in from the opposite end (figure B).
- Tie two loops or metal rings into the rope. Thread the rope through the pulley and tie it off around the cleat.
- Place the pole assembly in the hole and stabilize it with rocks or wooden wedges. Check with a level to ascertain that the pole is perfectly vertical (figure C), then pour concrete into the hole and allow it to set.
- Attach the flag to the rings, using spring clips.
- Pull the rope to raise the flag.
Flag Etiquette (Web Extra) The Flag Code, which formalizes and unifies the traditional ways in which we give respect to the flag, also contains specific instructions on how the flag should not be used. - The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal.
- The flag should not be used as a drapery, or for covering a speaker's desk, draping a platform or for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on top.
- The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. 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 usage. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard.
- The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on a uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen and members of patriotic organizations.
- The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying or delivering of anything.
- When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object. It should be received by waiting hands and arms. To store the flag, it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously. To see how to fold the flag properly, there are hundreds of Web sites you can check, but www.usaflag.org/fold.flag.html is one of the best!
Displaying the Flag Outdoors When the flag is displayed from a staff projecting from a window, balcony or a building, the union (the stars) should be at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half staff. When it's displayed from the same flagpole with another flag -- of a state, community, society or scout unit -- the flag of the United States must always be at the top except that the church pennant may be flown above the flag during church services for Navy personnel when conducted by a Naval chaplain on a ship at sea. When the flag is displayed over a street, it should be hung vertically, with the union to the north or east. If the flag is suspended over a sidewalk the flag's union should be farthest from the building. When flown with flags of states, communities or societies on separate flagpoles, which are of the same height and in a straight line, the flag of the United States is always placed in the position of honor -- to its own right. The other flags may be smaller but none may be larger. No other flags should be placed above it -- ever! The flag of the United States is always the first flag raised and the last to be lowered. When flown with the national banner of other countries, each flag must be displayed from a separate pole of the same height. Each flag should be the same size. They should be raised and lowered simultaneously. The flag of one nation may not be displayed above that of another nation. Raising and Lowering the Flag The flag should be raised briskly and lowered slowly and ceremoniously. Ordinarily it should be displayed only between sunrise and sunset. It should be illuminated if displayed at night. The flag of the United States of America is saluted as it is hoisted and lowered. The salute is held until the flag is unsnapped from the halyard or through the last note of music, whichever is the longest. Displaying the Flag Indoors When on display, the flag is accorded the place of honor, always positioned to its own right. Place it to the right of the speaker or staging area or sanctuary. Other flags should be to the left. The flag of the United States of America should be at the center and the highest point of the group when a number of flags of states, localities or societies are grouped for display. When one flag is used with the flag of the United States of America and the staffs are crossed, the flag of the United States is placed on its own right with its staff in front of the other flag. When displaying the flag against a wall, vertically or horizontally, the flag's union should be at the top, to the flag's own right and to the observer's left. Parading and Saluting the Flag When carried in procession, the flag should be to the right of the marchers. When other flags are carried, the flag of the United States of America may be centered in front of the others or carried to their right. When the flag passes in a procession, or when it's hoisted or lowered, all should face the flag and salute. The Salute To salute, all persons come to attention. Those in uniform give the appropriate formal salute. Citizens not in uniform salute by placing their right hand over the heart and men with head cover should remove it and hold it to the left shoulder, hand over the heart. Members of organizations in formation salute upon command of the person in charge. The Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem The pledge of allegiance should be rendered by a standing at attention, facing the flag and saluting. When the national anthem is played or sung, citizens should stand at attention and salute at the first note and hold the salute through the last note. The salute is directed to the flag, if displayed, otherwise to the music. The Flag in Mourning To place the flag at half staff, hoist it to the peak for an instant and lower it to a position half way between the top and bottom of the staff. The flag is to be raised again to the peak for a moment before it is lowered. On Memorial Day the flag is displayed at half staff until noon and at full staff from noon to sunset. The flag is to be flown at half staff in mourning for designated, principal government leaders and upon presidential or gubernatorial order. When used to cover a casket, the flag should be placed with the union at the head and over the left shoulder. It should not be lowered into the grave. Holidays to Display the Flag - New Year's Day
- Inauguration Day
- Martin Luther King's Birthday
- Lincoln's Birthday
- Washington's Birthday
- Easter Sunday
- Patriots Day -- April 19
- National Day of Prayer -- May 1
- Mother's Day
- Armed Forces Day
- Memorial Day -- half staff until noon
- Flag Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Constitution Day
- Columbus Day -- October 12
- Navy Day
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
- Election Days
And such other days as may be proclaimed by the President of the United States of America.
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