Surely there are few sights more stirring for citizens of
our country than that of our national flag flown during a parade. Civic pride is appropriately provoked by the
pomp and pageantry of such times, and too, these community gatherings and
celebrations are fitting occasions to reflect on the many gifts of our citizenship,
and the sacrifices made by those who secured them. Still, the flag of the United States
must be afforded its proper and fitting place apart from and above the
ancillary festivities.
In parades themselves, the flag of the United States
is generally to be carried in the front.
Accordingly to Section 7 of the Flag Code, if it is carried with another
flag or flags, the flag of the United
States “should be either on the marching
right; that is, the flag’s own right, or, if there is a line of other flags, in
front of the center of that line.” “No
other flag or pennant should be placed above or, if on the same level, to the
right of the flag of the United
States of America . Flag Code, Section 7(c). (Section 7(b) cautions that generally, the
flag should not be displayed on a float in a parade except from a staff.)
Section 9 provides that the salute to the flag should be
rendered at the moment the flag passes.
All persons present should face the flag and stand at attention, and
except for those in uniform, should place their right hand over their heart. Those in uniform should render the military
salute. When not in uniform, men should
remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder,
the hand being over the heart.
Question: I
will soon be traveling abroad and will have occasion to be a spectator at a parade
in a foreign country. Given my United States
citizenship, and my commitment and oath to this country, what tribute, if any,
should I pay to the flag of foreign countries should they be displayed on this
occasion?
Answer: The
provisions of the Flag Code apply to the display and respect shown for flag of
the United States ,
so have no literal application. However,
Section 9 of the Flag Code provides that “[a]liens should stand at attention”
during any ceremony of hoisting or lowering the flag or when the flag is
passing in a parade or in review. This
symbolizes that, while we do not ask foreign nationals to pledge their
allegiance or otherwise afford undue reverence to our flag in deference to
their own citizenship elsewhere, certainly it is expected that they show their
respect for our national emblem and the country for which it stands during
their time here. Applied by analogy, as
a citizen in the United
States , we believe that the Flag Code
recognizes world custom, and you should stand at attention at any time the
foreign flag is hoisted or lowered, without formal salute, and do the same at
the moment the flag passes in a parade or in review.
