[Minnie Knych]

I was recently told that we should NOT leave an American Flag displayed on a staff in the meeting room at the American Legion. The reason given was that it is not illuminated at night. I thought that the illumination of flags displayed at night was only required for outdoor display. Can anyone clarify?
Can a flag be left permanently displayed in a meeting room?
Thanks for your help.

[Peter Ansoff]

Hello, Minnie -- welcome to the forum!

I was recently told that we should NOT leave an American Flag displayed on a staff in the meeting room at the American Legion. The reason given was that it is not illuminated at night. I thought that the illumination of flags displayed at night was only required for outdoor display. Can anyone clarify? Can a flag be left permanently displayed in a meeting room?

Here is what the flag code actually says:

"It is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness."

As you can see from the highlighted words, this applies to flags displayed outdoors on permanent staffs. You don't need to leave the lights on in your legion hall!

Best,

Peter Ansoff