Flag Day, taking place June 14, commemorates the date in 1777 when Congress adopted the flag of the United States. It also comes in a season of such holidays as Memorial Day and Independence Day, when many cities and towns assemble displays of the national flag.
In 2026, the City of Myrtle Beach is serving as a striking example of this, as its “Field of Honor” display of flags at Warbird Park, honoring military veterans, first responders and others in roles of service, features flags representing different eras of the nation’s history, and numbering 250 in total to mark the nation’s 250 anniversary.
The appropriate display and handling of the United States flag involves a number of technical issues, all laid out in the 1942 Public Law 94-344, commonly own as the U.S. Flag Code. The code specifies the locations that should fly flags, including one of interest to municipalities: “on or near the main administration building of every public institution.”
The law does not state penalties for improper display — but just as a colorful and waving flag draws attention to itself, so does an incorrectly flown flag. Here are some points to keep in mind for flag displays:
Outdoor flag display
By custom, outdoor flags are flown from sunrise to sunset. However, they may also be flown at nighttime so long as they are illuminated.
Determining if a flag should be flown in weather conditions such as rain or high winds depends on how it is made. Weather damage to the flag should be avoided, but all-weather flags can be appropriately displayed in bad weather.
In a grouping of flags with the U.S. flag alongside other localities or groups, such as the state flag or a city flag, the U.S. flag should always be at the center and the highest point of the group. When the U.S. flag and the flags of other localities or groups fly on the same pole, the U.S. flag should be at the highest point.
Half-staff displays
Half-staff displays serve as symbols of respect and in many cases, mourning.
The right to order half-staff displays is reserved for the President of the United States and for governors, who can make the order for their states. The governor of South Carolina may order half-staff observances in tribute to firefighters and law enforcement officers who die in the line of duty or after a South Carolina resident and member of the military dies in combat.
A half-staff display is also considered appropriate based on reliable information that the current or former U.S. president, current U.S. vice president, current or former U.S. Supreme Court chief justice, or current speaker of the house has died.
South Carolina’s state government maintains a webpage providing the current status of half-mast observances, and offers email alerts for observances as well.
There are a number of customary days to fly flags at half-staff:
- Peace Officers Memorial Day, May 15, unless it coincides with Armed Forces Day (sunrise – sunset);
- Memorial Day, last Monday in May (sunrise to noon, after which it is raised to full staff);
- Patriot Day, September 11 (sunrise – sunset);
- National Firefighters Memorial Day, typically a Sunday during Fire Prevention Week in October (sunrise – sunset); and
- Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, December 7 (sunrise – sunset).
When raising a flag for a half-staff display, the person raising the flag should first hoist it to the top of the pole before lowering it halfway. When taking the flag down, raise it again to the top of the pole, then lower it.
Indoor flag displays
Position the national flag to the right of a speaker or a stage area. Place other flags, such as the state flag, to the left. When hanging the national flag on a wall, always position the star field, an element known as the “union,” at the top and to the left, even when in a vertical orientation.
Flag disposal
Sun, rain and wind eventually take their toll on an outdoor flag. When a flag becomes too soiled or worn for display, it should be disposed of in a ceremonial retirement by burning. A common example of excess wear is when the fly — or loose portion facing away from the pole — becomes shredded. Many veterans' groups and Scouting America troops provide flag retirement services.
A popular misconception holds that any flag that has touched the ground must be destroyed. While care should be taken to keep the flag from touching the ground, contact with the ground does not require destruction.