Write an article based on this "Fly the flag at half-mast (half-staff) for solemn occasions. Avoid flying or handling the flag dishonorably. Never desecrate the flag."
On days that are marked by tragic loss, mourning, or solemn remembrance of past events, flags shouldn't be flown at the top of flag poles. Instead, the flag should be flown halfway up the pole as a sign of sadness and respect - this is called flying a flag at "half-mast" or "half-staff." In the event of a national tragedy or the death of a prominent member of the government, the president may issue an executive order mandating that government buildings fly their flags at half mast - on these days, you should fly your own flag in the same way. You might also consider flying your flag at half-mast on the following dates: Memorial Day (until noon.) Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (December 7) Patriot Day (September 11) The flag should never be used or displayed in a way that makes it seem unimportant. When accompanied by other flags, it should never be flown in a way that shows subservience to the other flags. Above all, treat the flag as the revered symbol of liberty that it is. When handling a U.S. flag, never: Dip it for any person or thing, even though state flags, regimental colors and other flags may be dipped as a mark of honor. (See Tips = Salute) Display it with the union down, except as a signal of distress. Let the flag touch anything beneath it: ground, floor, water, merchandise. Fasten or display it in a way that will permit it to be damaged or soiled. Place or write anything on the flag, including letters, insignia, or designs of any kind. Use it for holding anything. Use it as wearing apparel, bedding or drapery. Use it on a costume or athletic uniform (however, a flag patch may be attached to the uniform of patriotic organizations, military personnel, police officers and firefighters). Use the flag for advertising or promotion purposes or print it on paper napkins, boxes or anything else intended for temporary use and discard. Use it for decoration of any kind. Use bunting of red, white and blue stripes instead. Use it for advertising. Damaging or destroying the flag through intentional burning, ripping, trampling, staining, or mutilation is supremely disrespectful. Though amendments to the U.S. Constitution dealing with flag desecration have been proposed many times, none has ever passed both houses of Congress. This does not mean that it's OK to desecrate the flag. Don't defile the American flag as an act of protest or satire - you may find the actions and policies of the U.S. government to be immoral, but the flag itself, as a symbol of the values of liberty and justice upon which the nation was founded, is never deserving of disrespect, even if you think the nation hasn't lived up to these values. Though an individual's right to free speech is protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, flag desecration is widely (and deservedly) reviled in the U.S. and is usually subject to punishment by state governments. The U.S. Flag Code does not advocate any sorts of penalties for flag-related misconduct. That decision is left to the States (and, in the case of the District of Columbia, to the Federal Government.) Almost every state has a law or ordinance that prohibits defacing the flag through burning, trampling, or mutilation. Usually, this crime is defined as a misdemeanor and is punished with a fine, short jail time, community service, etc. However, in Illinois and Kansas, flag desecration can be ruled as a felony. Other states like Vermont, Oklahoma, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Arkansas have especially harsh penalties (jail time of a year or more,) though the enforcement of these laws varies. In Montana, flag desecration is technically punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Finally, two states, Wyoming and Alaska, have effectively no laws against flag desecration. Wyoming does have a clause in its flag code discouraging desecration of the state and national flags, but no legal penalties exist.