How to Display the American & POW/MIA Flag on Veterans Day

Every year on November 11, Americans fly flags to thank the men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Whether you’re flying the Stars and Stripes at home, setting up for a school or VFW ceremony, or decorating your business, displaying your flags the right way is a simple way to show respect. This guide covers how to display the American flag, the POW/MIA flag, and military and retired service flags on Veterans Day, based on the U.S. Flag Code.

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Veterans Day vs. Memorial Day: Full Staff or Half Staff?

Veterans Day honors everyone who has served in the military, living or deceased. Because it is a day of thanks and celebration, the American flag is flown at full staff all day. This is different from Memorial Day, when the flag is flown at half-staff until noon to honor service members who died in service, then raised to full staff.

How to Fly the American Flag on Veterans Day

• Time: Display the flag from sunrise to sunset. You may fly it 24 hours a day if it is properly illuminated at night.
• Raising and lowering: Hoist the flag briskly and lower it slowly and ceremoniously.
• Weather: Avoid flying the flag in bad weather unless it is an all-weather flag. Our embroidered nylon American flags are built for outdoor use.
• Condition: Fly a clean flag in good condition. A faded, torn or frayed flag should be retired respectfully and replaced.

Displaying the American Flag With Other Flags

When the U.S. flag is flown with other flags, it always takes the position of honor:

• Same pole: The American flag goes at the very top. Any other flag – POW/MIA, military, state or retired service flag – flies below it.
• Separate poles: The American flag is placed to its own right, which is the viewer’s left. It is raised first and lowered last.
• Size and height: No other flag should be larger than the American flag or flown above it.
• On a wall: Whether hung horizontally or vertically, the blue field of stars (the union) goes at the top and to the viewer’s left.

Where Does the POW/MIA Flag Go?

The black-and-white POW/MIA flag honors service members who were prisoners of war or remain missing in action, with the reminder “You Are Not Forgotten.” On a single pole, it flies directly below the American flag and above any other flags. It should be the same size as or smaller than the U.S. flag. Many families, veterans organizations and businesses fly it on Veterans Day and throughout the year.

Flying Military Branch and Retired Service Flags

Official U.S. military flags are a meaningful way to honor a family member’s service. When several branch flags are displayed together, they are traditionally arranged in this order of precedence, after the American flag:

1. U.S. Army
2. U.S. Marine Corps
3. U.S. Navy
4. U.S. Air Force
5. U.S. Space Force
6. U.S. Coast Guard

The National Guard and Merchant Marine flags are also popular for honoring those who served. To celebrate a career of service, choose a retired flag such as the U.S. Army Retired, Air Force Retired or Coast Guard Retired flag.

Choosing the Right Flag Size and Material

• House-mounted poles (5–6 ft): 3×5 ft flags are the most popular choice.
• In-ground flagpoles (15–25 ft): 3×5 ft to 5×8 ft flags, depending on pole height.
• Yards and gardens: 12×18 inch garden flags.
• Parades and ceremonies: 4×6 inch to 24×36 inch stick flags.
• Outdoor use: Choose 200D nylon or embroidered 400D nylon with a canvas header and brass grommets. Polyester flags are a budget-friendly option for indoor displays and events.

Retiring a Worn Flag

According to the Flag Code, a flag that is no longer fit for display should be retired in a dignified way, preferably by burning. Many American Legion and VFW posts, Boy Scout troops and local organizations collect worn flags and hold retirement ceremonies – often around Veterans Day and Flag Day.

Ideas to Honor Veterans This November 11

• Fly the American flag with a POW/MIA flag at home or at your business.
• Gift a retired service flag to a veteran in your family.
• Hand out stick flags at a school assembly or community parade.
• Attend a local Veterans Day ceremony and thank a veteran for their service.

Shop Veterans Day Flags

From embroidered American flags to Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, retired and POW/MIA flags, Promo Patriot has everything you need to honor those who served. Browse the full Veterans Day flag collection →

This guide summarizes common U.S. Flag Code (4 U.S.C. §§ 5–10) etiquette for civilian display.