FLAG ETIQUETTE FOR THE BIKE AND VEST

For the Vest nothing goes higher or above the American Flag, NOTHING… For the Bike there are several options depending on how many and what type of flags you are displaying. If displaying only the American Flag it should either go in the center of the back of the bike or offset to the right (front & rear brake side).

If displaying two flags, the American flag is always to its right (front & rear brake side). It of course should be higher or the same height as other flags displayed but NEVER lower.

The second flag (POW/MIA, branch of service, state, etc. should be the same height as the American Flag or lower and to the left (clutch and shifter side).

Here are a view visual aids from both side and back views.

If displaying a US Flag with multiple flags the American flag should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags of States, branches of service, localities, societies are grouped and displayed from staffs.

Furthermore for military flags, according to the Military District of Washington, Ceremonies and Special Events Office, Army Regulation #840-10 mandates that state flags should be displayed according to the date that each state was admitted to the union.

According to the Department of Defense Directive 1005.8, the prescribed precedence of military flags is determined by service birthdays. The appropriate order is given below:

Army Birthday –14 June 1775

Marine Corps Birthday – 10 November 1775

Navy Birthday – 13 Oct 1775-Abolished Feb 1781-Reinstated 7 Sep 1781

Air Force Birthday – 18 September 1947

*Coast Guard Birthday – 4 August 1790

*According to the Institute of Heraldry, and in keeping with the order in which troops are listed in Department of Defense Directive 1005.8, during peacetime the Coast Guard falls under the Department of Homeland Security. During wartime, if the Coast Guard comes under the control of the Department of Defense, then the Coast Guard flag would come before the Air Force flag in order of precedence.

The Merchant Marine, Vietnam Veterans, and POW/MIA flags can be displayed following the military flags. There is some latitude in the order of display regarding these three flags. Our government has not officially recognized the Merchant Marines as being a branch of the military (its members are often not given veteran’s status), but we feel it is appropriate to honor them as a military branch and thus place their flag at the end of the military branches.

The Vietnam Veterans and POW/MIA flags could be reversed in their order if so desired. We felt it appropriate to place the flag for the living veterans (who are here to see the honor so accorded them) before the flag for those not presently in our midst. You can use your discretion here.

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