Flags Displayed on Foreign Soil

[Briyin]

Hello, am living in New Zealand. What is the etiquette for the display of the American flag when there are two flagpoles next to each other and the New Zealand flag is flown next to it? Is the American flag to be level and on the left or is the national flag always flown on the left (as seen by the viewer facing the flags from, say, the street in front of the building)?

Did that make sense? Two country flags...two flagpoles...what's correct?

Thanks very much

[Peter Ansoff]

Hi, Briyin -- welcome to the forum!

The rule of thumb is that the position of honor is on the flag's own right, which is the left of an observer facing the flag. I don't know for sure whether New Zealand has its own specific rules for flag display, but the usual custom is to put "host" flag (NZ, in this case) in the position of honor, and the other national flag to its right (again, as seen by an observer facing the flags). If the US and NZ flags were displayed in the USA, the order would be reversed.

Best,

Peter Ansoff

[Briyin]

Also, the flags are being displayed at someone's residence, so I don't know if the person is a Kiwi or an American. I'm guessing that if it's an American, then the American flag should be flown on the left...it's it a Kiwi, then theirs should be on the left (both at the same height).

Can anyone point me to a site where this is explained so that I can potentially print it and politely offer it to them?

[Briyin]

Thanks very kindly. I guess it would make sense that even the person is American, that there'd not be any situation where they'd fly the flag on the left (to the observer) since it'd likely be construed as disrespectful to the host nation's flag.

We Yanks are already viewed by some as being imperialistic...that just might stoke those flames to fly it in their position of honor!

Brian

[SSG Samora]

I am currently in Baghdad and have come accross a similiar situation. The internet is not great here so it makes research slow. Could someone point me in the right direction on where in the Us flag code it states when displaying the flag in a foreign country how they should be positioned. Any help would be greatly appreciated thanks.

[Robin Hickman]

Hello, SSG Samora !

Thank You for your continuing service to our country !!!

QUOTE : SSG Samora "I am currently in Baghdad and have come accross a similiar situation. The internet is not great here so it makes research slow. Could someone point me in the right direction on where in the Us flag code it states when displaying the flag in a foreign country how they should be positioned. Any help would be greatly appreciated thanks."

Right up front I'm going to tell you that I don't know for sure. So you can choose to keep reading this, or stop and wait for a reply from Mr. Peter Ansoff (Our resident Flag expert).

The U.S. Flag code is pretty much all about the treatment of the U.S. Flag on U.S. soil. IF the U.S. Flag in question is "flown" within the confines of the U.S. Embassy there in Baghdad, that's considered "U.S. soil" and the Flag Code and embassy regulations would prevail.

If the U.S. Flag in question is to be flown on a U.S. Military base, I am not sure what would take precedence, the U.S. Flag Code, the Military's rules & Regs, or "LOCAL" custom & etiquette. I would suggest asking the base's staff (I'm not sure what their rank or title would be) such as the "liaison" officer. In any case, I'm thinking (OK, "guessing") that the U.S. Flag Code and whatever branch of the military runs the base will prevail!

If the Flag in question is going to be flown "off-base" and on local civilian soil, then you'll probably want to follow that country's (Iraq's) Flag etiquette (laws or rules & regs). Speaking as a Vietnam Veteran, if your planning on flying an American Flag out in the open somewhere in Baghdad, you might want to take this opportunity to re-consider the wisdom of that decision, if you know what I mean!

That's my advice for now, so take it for what it's worth. Remember, I warned you that I didn't know for sure.

In the meantime, take care of yourself and those around you, and wait for Peter Ansoff's reply !!!

Robin "Stay Low And Keep your Head Down" Hickman

PS. Don't be too surprised if your question in this thread gets placed into its own thread (for clarity).

[SSG Samora]

Thank you much.. it isn't just about the flag being flown but the general rule. I am on a us base and not at the embassy. The question came about when we printed up an award with the Iraqi flag on the left and the us on the right of the certificate. Based on what I can find in this forum and others the position of honor goes to the host nation. I agree that the Us Flag Code only really applies on Us soil and since this base is leased from Iraq and not owned we are in a foreign country. The flag positioning for our ceremonies and such would need to be changed if i could find this in a code or in a reg. I have exhauted all my means trying to find this in AR's and would like to find it concrete somewhere instead of a round about answer. I looked up pictures of the g8 summits since that is on foreign soil and the flags were always put up with the host nation on the viewers left and the other countries and nations in alphabetical order using the english alphabet. I need conclusive proof that this is correct before I make the changes to our proceedures thank you so much for any and all help.

[Robin Hickman]

Hi, SSG Samora !

Flags on an award certificate, eh ?

Okay, here's my best shot :

If the award is for an American then place the American Flag on the left. If the award is for an Iraqi, then the Flag of Iraq goes on the left.

How's that?

If the design calls for the two Flags staffs to be crossed (like a great big "flaggy" letter "X"), I would assume that the placement of honor is the Flag on whose staff is on the top with the Flag to the left.

I may be wrong about that, BUT I do know that THAT is covered in the U.S. Flag Code.

Be patient with us... Peter Ansoff should be around here just about any time now!

Robin "Hey, I Tried" Hickman

[SSG Samora]

The Flags are on completely different sides of the cetificate in the far corners. But there is also a question of flag displays as well. Now I am not flying flags at all but here in the palace it would be nice to have things right. I am not positive but I having a good feeling that the host nation gets the honor. As far as the awards go it is a matter of protocol and wanting to make sure things are right and not be left up to question. In the end I am thinking that the flags will be switched to the Iraqi having the far left as viewed but i want to have my ducks in a row. We have tossed up tshirt ideas as well and we are in a state that we would like to be right and not offend at all if that makes sense. The Iraqi command is always around and I personally would like to make things right if they are not. To easily is it just tossed aside and not done properly because we are used to being in the States and having the position of honor. Thanks again for the help

[Robin Hickman]

Howdy, SSG Samora !

I wish I could have been of more (and better) help to you. I apologize if i've let you down.

Be patient. Mr. ansoff should be around here pretty soon. (It's almost 11:45 AM here on the Pacific Time Zone and I think he lives on the East coast.

Robin "Well, At Least I Tried" Hickman

PS. FWIW (MY 2 cents) : If they are "American" certificates (designed & printed), then the Americans have "first dibs" on the "place of honor". If the certificates are "Iraqi", then the Iraqis would have "first dibs".