Where should the United States flag be positioned if there are other flags present?
No 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. When flags of states, cities, or localities, or pennants of societies are flown on the same halyard with the flag of the United States, the latter should always be at the peak.

When the flags are flown from adjacent staffs, the flag of the United States should be hoisted first and lowered last. No flag or pennant may be placed above the flag of the United States or to the United States flag’s right.

When displayed with another flag against a wall from crossed staffs, the flag of the United States of America should be on the right, the flag’s own right, and its staff should be in front of the staff of the other flag.

The flag of the United States of America should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags of States or localities or pennants of societies are grouped and displayed from staffs. When flags of two or more nations are displayed, they are to be flown from separate staffs of the same height. The flags should be of approximately equal size. International usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace.

The Proper Display of all Flags
As the globe continues to shrink, the display of foreign flags grows every day. Governmental bodies, hotels, educational institutions, and the business community are using foreign flags to welcome their foreign guests. Because of this increased usage, we provide this basic information to help you display flags in a proper and dignified manner.

1. The improper use and display of a U.S. flag and flags of your visitors is worse than no display at all.
2. When the flags of two or more nations are flown together, each flag should be displayed from a separate pole of the same height, and each flag should be the same size. In time of peace, international custom forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation. Flying the flags of two nations on the same pole is a sign of wartime victory. It will be interpreted as a serious insult. An alternative to an outdoor flag display, where flagpoles are limited, is to post the flags in your reception area and/or conference room.
3. There is no greater insult than to fly a flag upside down. FlagSource makes it easy to tell which end is up and down because our label is always displayed at the top of the flag.
4. Within the United States, when the U.S.A. flag is flown with flags of other nations, the poles should be the same height and in a straight line. The U.S.A. flag is always placed in the position of honor, i.e. to its own right when facing away from the building, followed in alphabetical order by the other nation’s flags. The U.S.A. flag is the first to be raised and the last to be lowered.
5. When used on a speaker’s platform, the flag, if displayed flat, should be displayed above and behind the speaker. When displayed from a staff in a church or public auditorium, the flag of the United States should be in advance of the audience, in the position of honor at the clergyman’s or speaker’s right as he faces the audience. Any other flag so displayed should be placed on the left of the clergyman.
6. Never display the U.S. flag from a float except from a staff, or so suspended that its folds fall free as though staffed. Crepe streamers may be affixed to spearheads or flagstaffs in a parade only by order of the president of the United States.
7. The U.S. flag should form a distinctive feature at the ceremony of unveiling a statue or monument, but should never be used as the covering for the statue or monument.
8. Advertising signs should not be fastened to a staff or halyard from which the flag is shown.
9. When the U.S. flag is used to cover a casket, it should be so placed that the union is at the head and over the left shoulder. The flag should not be lowered into the grave or allowed to touch the ground.
10. The U.S. flag should never touch anything beneath it (ground, fire, water, or merchandise).
    
    

Please Note
Flag designs do change, and care must be taken to ensure that the flag you fly is correct and current. The most comprehensive source for this information is The Flag Research Center in Winchester, Massachusetts.

Can the flagpole be displayed at night or in bad weather?
Section 174(a) of Title 36 states: “It is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open. However, the flag may be displayed at night upon special occasions when it is desired to produce a patriotic effect.”

If flying the flag day and night, make sure the material is strong enough to withstand such conditions and is replaced promptly when it begins to show signs of wear. It is generally not desirable to fly the flag outdoors when the weather is particularly inclement because exposure to severe winds and rain may damage the flag or pole on which it is displayed.

When flying the flag at night, the flag code states that if the flag is displayed in darkness it should be illuminated. The flag code does not specify what this means but a spotlight is the usual source of light. We believe that ambient lighting (e.g. in a mall parking lot) is also sufficient if present.

When can I fly the flag at half-mast?
By order of the president, the flag shall be flown at half-staff upon the death of principle figures of the United States government and the governor of the state, territory or possession, as a mark of respect to their memory. In the event of the death of other officials or foreign dignitaries, the flag is to be displayed at half-staff according to Presidential instructions or orders, or in accordance with recognized customs or practices not inconsistent with law.

In the event of the death of a present or former official of the government of any state, territory or possession of the United States, the governor of that state, territory or possession may proclaim that the national flag shall be flown at half-staff.

On Memorial Day (the last Monday in May), to honor all who died in battle, the flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon only, then raised to the top of the staff for the remainder of the day.

The flag, when flown at half-staff should be first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The flag should be again raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day.

How do you fold a flag?
The quality and beauty of a flag is best preserved by folding and storing it when not in use.

To properly fold a flag, two people should face each other, each holding one end of the flag. Stretch it horizontally at waist height and fold in half lengthwise. Fold the flag in half lengthwise again (if folding the U.S. flag, the union (blue field) should be on the outside with edges held together).

One person holds the flag while the other starts at the opposite end by making a triangular fold. Continue to fold in triangles until the flag resembles a cocked hat. If you are folding the U.S. flag, start the triangular folds from the end opposite the star field and fold until only the stars remain visible.