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← FLAG AND SEAL, SEAT OF GOVERNMENT, AND THE STATES

4 U.S.C. § 9

§ 9 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 in uniform should render the military salute. Members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are present but not in uniform may render the military salute. All other persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, or if applicable, remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Citizens of other countries present should stand at attention. All such conduct toward the flag in a moving column should be rendered at the moment the flag passes.

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Compiled from an official source version. Later amendments or repeals may not be reflected; the official text prevails. Read the official text ↗

Text of the U.S. Code 2024 Edition (govinfo), imported 2026-07-04. Amendments enacted after the 2024 Edition are not reflected.

United States government works (U.S. Code, Code of Federal Regulations) are in the public domain under 17 U.S.C. § 105.

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