Demonstrate American flag etiquette

The flag of the United States of America represents the nation’s history, unity, and constitutional ideals. Respect for the flag is governed by the federal United States Flag Code (Title 4, United States Code). To complete Requirement 7a, you must demonstrate the proper protocols for displaying, raising, lowering, and folding the flag.

Rules for Displaying the Flag

Basic Care & Ground Clearance

• Never Touch the Ground: The flag should never touch the ground, floor, water, or any merchandise beneath it.
• Weather Conditions: The flag should not be flown in inclement weather (heavy rain, snow, or high winds) unless using a certified, all-weather synthetic flag.
• Hours of Display: The flag is customarily displayed outdoors from sunrise to sunset. If flown 24 hours a day, it must be properly illuminated with a dedicated spotlight throughout the night.

Display Orientations

• Flat Against a Wall (Horizontal or Vertical): The Union (the blue field of stars) must always be at the top and to the flag’s own right—which is the observer’s upper left, whether the flag hangs horizontally or vertically.
• Crossed Staffs with Another Flag: When displayed with another flag on crossed staffs (such as a state or troop flag), the U.S. flag is placed on its own right (observer’s left), and its staff must be on the outside—crossing in front of the other staff.
• Grouped with State or Organization Flags: When a group of flags is displayed on staffs, the U.S. flag should be at the center and at the highest point of the group.
• Speaker’s Platform or Stage: When displayed on a speaker’s platform, the flag is placed on a stand to the speaker’s right (the audience’s left as they look at the stage).

Raising and Lowering Protocols

Flags must be handled with deliberate ceremony and respect:

• Hoisting: Raise the flag briskly (smartly and quickly) to the peak of the flagpole.
• Lowering: Lower the flag slowly, solemnly, and ceremoniously.
• The Color Guard: The flag should be carried folded to the pole. The halyard (rope) is attached while the flag is held securely by two Scouts, preventing it from brushing against the ground.

The Half-Staff Protocol (National Mourning)

Flying the flag at half-staff is a national symbol of mourning ordered by the President or state Governor:

1. Raising to Half-Staff: First, hoist the flag briskly all the way to the peak for an instant, then slowly lower it to the half-staff position (roughly halfway down the staff).
2. Retiring from Half-Staff: At sunset (or at the end of the ceremony), first hoist the flag briskly to the peak again, and only then lower it slowly and respectfully all the way down.

Step-by-Step Guide to Folding the Flag

Folding the flag requires two Scouts working as a synchronized team:

1. Hold Taut: Both Scouts hold the flag waist-high, parallel to the ground, stretched flat between them.
2. First Lengthwise Fold: Fold the lower striped section lengthwise over the upper section, bringing the edges together.
3. Second Lengthwise Fold: Fold the flag lengthwise a second time, ensuring the blue star field remains on the outside.
4. Begin Triangular Folding: The Scout at the striped end starts folding a corner into a neat right-angle triangle against the open edge.
5. Continue Triangles: Fold the triangle inward along the open edge to create a second triangle, repeating this process along the entire length of the flag.
6. Tuck the Tail: When only the blue field remains at the end, neatly fold and tuck the remaining blue fabric into the pocket formed by the triangular folds.
7. Final Form: The finished fold should be a crisp, tight triangular shape (resembling a colonial “cocked hat”) with only the blue field and white stars visible.