If you are flying a flag to honor a veteran this November, here is one important detail to remember: on Veterans Day, November 11, the American flag flies at full staff (unless a separate half-staff order applies). [4] [5] Here is how to prepare your display to mark the day.
Who Veterans Day Honors
Veterans Day honors those who served in the United States armed forces, described by the VA as a day to thank living veterans. Distinct from Memorial Day, which is a day to honor service members who died in service, Veterans Day is a day of gratitude rather than mourning. [2]
President Eisenhower’s first Veterans Day proclamation in 1954 directed that the flag be displayed on all public buildings. [3] The Flag Code lists Veterans Day among the days the American flag should be displayed. [4]
One exception: if the President or your governor orders half-staff for a separate event and the order covers November 11, follow the order. [5]
Veterans Day vs. Memorial Day (and Armed Forces Day)
| Observance | Who it honors | Flag position |
|---|---|---|
|
Veterans Day (November 11) |
All U.S. veterans, with a focus on thanking those living | Full staff |
|
Memorial Day (last Monday in May) |
Service members who died in service | Half-staff until noon, then full staff |
|
Armed Forces Day (third Saturday in May) |
Those currently serving | Full staff |
Is Veterans Day for people on active duty?
Armed Forces Day specifically honors those currently serving, but you can also thank active-duty service members on Veterans Day.
For the Memorial Day rules in detail, see What the American Flag Means on Memorial Day. For annual flag observances, see our Flag Holidays calendar.
How to Display Your Flag on Veterans Day
- Check the flag first. Look for fraying, fading, or a torn fly end before the 11th. The Flag Code says a flag that is no longer a fitting emblem for display should be retired, and light wear doesn't necessarily mean that. [6] Our guide to fading and fraying explains what to look for.
- Raise the flag briskly to the top of the pole at sunrise. [4] [5]
- Fly it until sunset, or light it. The Flag Code calls for display from sunrise to sunset. You can leave it up overnight only if it is properly illuminated. [4]
- Watch the weather. The Flag Code says the flag should not be displayed in inclement weather unless it is an all-weather flag. [4] Check your flag's product description to see whether it is one.
- Add a service flag if you like. On a single pole, the American flag always flies at the top. On adjacent poles, it flies at the same height or higher and holds the place of honor, to its own right. [5]
For the broader rules, see our American flag etiquette guide.
Branch Flags, Veterans Flags, and POW/MIA Flags
A Marine Corps flag. On a shared pole, fly service flags below the American flag. [5]
Some families fly the flag of a relative's branch below the American flag on Veterans Day. If you are flying more than one service flag together, the order of precedence is Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, then Coast Guard. Our military branch flags guide covers sizes, materials, and how to arrange them.
Federal law (36 U.S.C. §902) requires the POW/MIA flag to be displayed when the American flag is displayed at sites such as national cemeteries, VA medical centers, and post offices. [7] See POW/MIA Flag Etiquette: How to Display It Correctly or browse POW/MIA flags.
Our military support collection includes the "Veterans Remembered" and "We Honor Those Who Serve" flags, plus flags for World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam veterans. You can also browse all military flags.
Why Is Veterans Day on November 11?
The date goes back to the end of World War I. Veterans Day was originally called Armistice Day, according to the VA’s history of Veterans Day. [1]
- 1918: The armistice that halted fighting in World War I took effect on November 11.
- 1919: President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed the first Armistice Day observance a year later.
- 1938: Congress made November 11 a legal holiday, dedicated to world peace and called Armistice Day.
- 1954: After World War II and Korea, Congress renamed the holiday Veterans Day.
- 1971 to 1977: Under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, Veterans Day was observed on the fourth Monday in October.
- 1978: The holiday returned to November 11, where it has stayed. [1]
When November 11 falls on a weekend, federal offices observe the holiday on the nearest weekday. [9]
Ways to Honor Veterans on Veterans Day
-
Keep your thanks simple and personal
Because veterans’ experiences vary across branches, eras, and roles, a simple “thank you for your service,” a handwritten card, or a call to a relative or neighbor who served is usually enough.
-
Attend a local ceremony
Town halls, VFW and American Legion posts, and cemeteries often hold Veterans Day events that are open to the public. Check your town’s calendar.
-
Observe the national moment of silence
Federal law (36 U.S.C. §145) asks the President to proclaim two minutes of silence each Veterans Day, starting at 2:11 p.m. Eastern (1:11 p.m. Central, 11:11 a.m. Pacific). It is an invitation, not a requirement. [8]
Flags USA and the USO
Flags USA is a USO partner through December 2026. Customers can add an optional $2.50 donation at checkout to support USO programs and services for currently serving military members and their families.
Flags USA has also committed to matching donations made through the USO's dedicated fundraising campaign, up to $25,000. Learn more about our USO partnership.
Veterans Day Flag Questions
Should the flag be at half-staff on Veterans Day?
No. Veterans Day is a full-staff day. Half-staff applies only if the President or your governor has ordered it for a separate event. [4] [5]
Do I have to fly a flag on Veterans Day?
No. The Flag Code says the flag should be displayed, but it is guidance and does not require a private home, business, or school to fly one. [4]
Can I leave my flag up overnight?
Yes, if it is properly illuminated during the hours of darkness. Otherwise, take it down at sunset. [4]
What was Veterans Day originally called?
Armistice Day. It was first observed in 1919, became a legal holiday in 1938, and was renamed Veterans Day in 1954. [1]
Sources
- VA: History of Veterans Day
- VA: The difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day
- Eisenhower’s 1954 Veterans Day proclamation
- 4 U.S.C. §6: Time and occasions for display
- 4 U.S.C. §7: Position and manner of display
- 4 U.S.C. §8: Respect for the flag
- 36 U.S.C. §902: National League of Families POW/MIA flag
- 36 U.S.C. §145: Veterans Day moment of silence
- 5 U.S.C. §6103: Federal holidays and weekend observance