Patriot Day flag etiquette primarily dictates that the United States flag be flown at half-staff from sunrise until sunset on September 11th, annually. This solemn observance is a direct directive from the U.S. President, memorializing the lives lost during the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The half-staff position serves as a universally recognized symbol of mourning, respect, and remembrance for the victims and first responders.
The correct procedure for displaying the flag at half-staff involves first hoisting it briskly to the peak of the flagpole for a moment, then slowly lowering it to the half-staff position. At sunset, before the flag is retired for the day, it should again be briskly raised to the peak before being slowly lowered and properly folded. Furthermore, should other flags (e.g., state flags, organizational flags) be flown on the same pole, they should also be lowered to half-staff or removed. If the U.S. flag is displayed alongside other flags on separate poles, the U.S. flag should be at half-staff, and the other flags either lowered to half-staff or not flown. The U.S. Flag Code (Title 4, United States Code, Chapter 1) generally governs flag display, and its principles apply, with the specific half-staff order for Patriot Day being a presidential proclamation overriding the general "full-staff" default for non-holidays. Often, a moment of silence is observed at 8:46 AM EDT, marking the time the first plane struck the World Trade Center, in conjunction with the flag display.
The observance of Patriot Day flag etiquette is a profound civic expression, inviting all Americans to collectively honor the memory of those who perished and to reflect on the national resilience demonstrated in the aftermath of the attacks. It reinforces a shared sense of community, respect for human life, and commitment to national remembrance, serving as a poignant visual reminder of a pivotal moment in contemporary American history.
