Facts and Rules for displaying the United States Flag and when to fly the flag at half staff.

There are four definite days that you should fly your flag at half staff. They are as follows:

• Peace Officer's Memorial Day on May 15
• Memorial Day on May 31
• Patriot Day on September 11
• Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day on December 7

It is customary to only display the United States Flag from sunrise to sunset on buildings and flagstaffs in the open. If displayed 24 hours a day, the flag must be illuminated during the hours of darkness.

Only the President and state Governors are allowed to decide when and how long the flag should be flown at half staff.

The flag should not be displayed on days during inclement weather unless an all weather flag is being displayed.

The flag should be flown at half staff for 30 days after the death of a current of former president and for 10 days after the death of a current of former vice president of chief justice of the supreme court.

The flag should be displayed daily on or near the main administration building of every public institution.

The flag should be displayed in or near every polling place on election days.

Once a flag is torn or worn, it should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning. Most VFW Posts are happy to help with the burning of a worn US Flag.

You should never wear the US Flag as apparel or use it as bedding.

The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing.

Anyone may have the flag draped across their coffin. The deceased does not have to be a veteran.

When the US Flag is flown at half staff, the state and other flags should be either removed or flown at half staff as well.