When raising a flag on a flagpole, hoist it briskly to the peak and lower it slowly and ceremoniously.

The flag should be properly illuminated if flown at night. Solar-powered lights are an easy way to provide proper illumination.

On Memorial Day and Patriot Day (September 11), fly the flag at half-staff from sunrise to noon. Afterward, raise it to full staff. On National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (December 7), display the flag at half-staff from dawn until sunset. Mark your calendar for these dates or consult websites that notify you when flags are to be flown at half-staff.

To hoist a flag to half-staff on a flagpole, first raise it to the peak for an instant, then lower it to the half-staff position. Before lowering it for the day, raise it to the peak again.

For flags displayed on a short staff (house-mounted) or indoor flags that cannot be lowered to half-staff, an accepted patriotic practice is to attach a mourning ribbon to the top of the pole above the United States flag. These ribbons are made of black cloth and match the width and length of a full flag stripe, hanging freely. Mourning ribbons are available online.

Retire all flags that are no longer suitable for display, including those that are tattered, torn, faded, or soiled beyond repair. Small stick flags should also be properly displayed and retired in accordance with the United States Flag Code (Title 4, Section 8k).