The U.S. Flagpole Lightings

By Steve Niks


If you're flying the U.S. Flag at night it should be lit. Illumination is out of respect to the Flag of the United States and to be able to view the stars and stripes in the dark from a distance. Its unfurled banner, which symbolizes the love and pride that we have as a nation, is a poignant reminder of America's greatness and our fortune to live in a country which values freedom above all else. It signifies the commitment made by our fallen comrades who battled bravely to defend the honor of this sacred emblem - our American unity, our power, and our purpose as a nation, and it exemplifies the devotion of our leaders who continue to uphold its promise of liberty, justice and freedom for all.

The flag of the United States is the emblem of our identity as a separate nation, which the United States of America has been for more than 200 years. Therefore, citizens should stand at attention and salute when their flag is passing in a parade or be hoisted or lowered. The custom is to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on flagstaffs in the open, but it may be displayed at night upon special occasions to produce a patriotic effect.

Traditionally, the flag has been universally flown only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and stationary flagstaffs. "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."

The American Legion has developed recommendations on lighting the American flag at night. They have interpreted proper illumination to mean a light or lighting plan specifically placed to illuminate the flag. Alternatively, the Legion believes that having a light source sufficient to illuminate the flag so it is recognizable as such by the casual observer is also permissible.

"Those who fly the flag day and night should ensure that it is made of material strong enough to withstand such wear and that it is replaced promptly when it begins to show signs of wear. While it would appear appropriate to illuminate the flag after sunset so that passerby will be aware of its display, the Code does not require that it be illuminated and its display without illumination is not considered an impropriety."

However, there is a barrage of cheap flagpole lightings being imported and sold, that do not comply with the flag statute. This is bad for a number of reasons. Imported stuff is cheaply made and more importantly, the designs, materials, colors, and methods do not compare well with the better quality, longer-lasting, and correctly designed flagpole lightings made by American manufacturers. The Flag Company Inc specialized in flags and flagpole lightings offered a special edition of solar powered flagpole lightings to provide innovative solutions for individual projects.




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