As you continue prepping for Memorial Day tomorrow, May 26, whether you’re throwing a cookout or going to one, you want to exhibit the utmost patriotism because, after all, ‘murica. So before you go on hanging your star-spangled American flag haphazardly like it doesn’t even matter, keep in mind that it does. Sort of. Believe it or not, there exists an actual law for how to display your stars and stripes.

In 2008 Congress published a 14-page report on how Americans are to lawfully display their American flags.

The report reads, “The ‘Flag Code’ includes instruction and rules on such topics as the pledge of allegiance, display and use of the flag by civilians, time and occasions for display, position and manner of display, and how to show respect for the flag.”

So while the report outlines how residents ought to properly show their pride, it also mentions that it’s not meant to enforce these measures nor suggest punishments for desecrating the flag. That happens to be a different law. But before we get into that, here are some tips for waving the red, white and blue.

• The flag should never touch anything beneath it, such as the ground, the floor, water or merchandise.
• The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding or drapery. It should never be festooned, drawn back, nor up, in folds, but always allowed to fall free.
• No part of the flag should ever be used as a costume or athletic uniform.
• The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying or delivering anything.
• The flag should never be carried flat or horizontally, but always aloft and free.
• The flag should not be draped over the hood, top, sides or back of a vehicle or of a railroad train or a boat.

Be sure to adhere to this advice because there are some punishments for abusing the flag. Anyone who knowingly “mutilates, defaces, physically defiles, burns, maintains on the floor or ground, or tramples” on the flag can face up to an entire year in prison.

You’re also advised to properly rock your tank top during the day or risk a torrent of mockery from the razor-witted gents behind the BostInno Style Guide. Hey, rules are rules.

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