§177. Conduct during hoisting, lowering or passing of flag

During the ceremony of hoisting or lowering the flag or when the flag is passing in a parade or in review, all persons present except those in uniform should face the flag and stand at attention with the right hand over the heart. Those present in uniform should render the military salute. When not in uniform, men should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Aliens should stand at attention. The salute to the flag in a moving column should be rendered at the moment the flag passes.

(June 22, 1942, ch. 435, §5, 56 Stat. 380; Dec. 22, 1942, ch. 806, §5, 56 Stat. 1077; July 7, 1976, Pub. L. 94–344, §1(17), 90 Stat. 812.)

Amendments

1976—Pub. L. 94–344 substituted in first sentence “with right hand over the heart” for “, and salute” and struck out “Men without hats should salute in the same manner.” before “Aliens should” and “Women should salute by placing right hand over the heart.” before “The salute to the flag”.

1942—Act Dec. 22, 1942, substituted “military salute,” for “right-hand salute” in second sentence, “should salute in the same manner,” for “merely stand at attention” in fourth sentence, and inserted fifth sentence.

Cross References

Alien as used in Immigration and Nationality Act defined, see section 1101 of Title 8, Aliens and Nationality.

Section Referred to in Other Sections

This section is referred to in section 178 of this title.