Did you know that the first American flag to be hoisted was the Continental Colors flag in 1776?

The American flag has seen many evolutions from the thirteen colonies to the fifty stars we know and love today. It’s a piece of history sewn into fabric, and the best way to display that history is to hoist it. Hoist a flag near me and show those colors for the whole neighborhood to see.

However, everyone knows that there is a ton of ceremony that goes even into just folding the flag. The same applies to the process of unfolding and raising it into the air.

Keep reading for the last flag hoisting guide you’ll ever need.

What Does it Mean to Hoist a Flag Near Me?

Hoisting means drawing the flag all the way up to the very tip top of a flagpole. The only other position on the flagpole is half-mast, reserved to show respect after an official’s death.

A flag, especially in the US, is a symbol of freedom and democracy. These colors represent what the American people fought for. They’re the rallying point and are meant to serve as a reminder that we’re unified despite all difficulties.

The best flag hoisting advice is to take this all very seriously. That includes if you are disappointed with the state of the country or its leadership.

America is a concept more than it is a bad president or lackluster policies. It’s an ideal of freedom, democracy, and overcoming all difficulties. Just as it’s important to put your hand on your heart during the pledge of allegiance, it’s important to hoist the flag.

Flag Hoisting Tips

If you can, hoist the flag almost every day of the year. It’s up to the individual or the organization how often they want to hoist it. After tragic local deaths, or on specific holidays such as memorial day, the flag flies at half-mast.

In most scenarios, hoisting a flag is only acceptable between sunrise and sunset. There should be someone who is ready to hoist it and bring it down during these times. The only exception to this rule is in a place where there are lights that point up to illuminate the flag at night time.

If a flag is tattered, dirty, or torn, do not hoist it. This flag needs to be destroyed ASAP. Never hoist a flag that is not in good condition!

If there is inclement weather, then don’t hoist it. The only exception to this rule is if the flag is made of a material that can handle all weather types. Find one of these at Ultimate Flags.

Never display any flag above the US flag, even if it’s a state or local flag. If there are multiple staffs, then fly the national flag higher than the rest.

Last but not least, never hoist a flag where it won’t be visible. Masts should be the central feature in their immediate area, aside from the building they are erected next to.

How to Hoist a Flag

First, identify how you will be hoisting the flag. In most cases, there will be a hand-drawn pulley system to raise the flag up. Sometimes you may have an electric pulley that does all the work for you.

To protect these pulleys, they’re stored in a pulley box. Unlock the box with a key and pull out the cords.

Inspect the flag before raising it. As mentioned earlier, do not raise a flag that’s not in good condition. Further, take extra care not to let the flag touch the ground or get dirtied as you prepare it.

Connect the Flag to the Halyard

There should be two places to attach the flag: one for the top, and one for the bottom. Make sure the flag is oriented correctly. Do NOT accidentally fly the flag upside down, as this sends the signal of dire distress.

Usually, there will be clips that connect to the flag’s eyelets. Once the flag is secured, raise it up a bit. Again, take care that it doesn’t touch the ground during this process.

Hoist the Flag

Once the flag is secure, raise it in a brisk fashion – but not as fast as you can. Don’t pull too hard, as the halyard can jam or fall out of alignment with the pulley.

Once the flag reaches the top, ensure that it remains taut there. If there’s any slack, then lower it a bit until it’s taut again. This also keeps the flag close to the pole so it unfurls naturally.

Tie off or Lock the Halyard

Depending on the flag pole you’re using, you’ll either tie off the halyard or lock the mechanism. At the bottom of the flagpole is the cleat, the two protruding metal pieces. Using a figure-8 pattern, secure the halyard to the staff.

In some flagpoles, you’ll secure the halyard inside that same lockbox where you pulled it out. Otherwise, just tie a knot to prevent the flag from coming back down again.

Observe the Same Respect for Taking it Down

When you bring the flag down, show the same respect as you did when hoisting it. Do so slowly, and avoid letting it touch the ground. Stow away the halyard so that the next person doesn’t have any trouble flying it.

Finally, learn how to fold the flag for storage. There is a specific, government-approved method for folding the flag into a triangle. Store the flag in a safe, dry place and continue to treat it with respect.

Hoist a Flag Today

Every flag near me gets a proper hoisting ceremony and gets treated with the utmost respect. When you hoist a flag, make sure the flag is in good condition and you never let it touch the ground or get inverted. Ensure you follow the flag hoisting tips to show respect.

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