Do I have to take down my stick flag at night?

Sir. Thank you for your great question. Here is what "The Flag Code" says: "It is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness." The Code does not say what "properly illuminated" means. The American Legion says illuminated is to be defined as "having a light source sufficient to illuminate the flag so it is recognizable as such by the casual observer." It must also be observed that nation wide millions of flags are placed on graves and monuments where there is no illumination. Arlington puts out a couple hundred thousand on memorial day. They do not take them in at night. Keep in mind that The Flag Code is a set of recommendations. There are numerous situations the code does not address and could not possibly have addressed. Context is everything. Is Arlington National Cemetery and is the WWII widow who puts a stick flag on a grave to be left out at night being disrespectful? Each of us is free to answer that question according to the dictates of his or her conscience. Maybe it is very American that we do not have every facet of life spelled out for us by the government. In situations as these, I always ask myself "If the flag could speak, what would she say?" You are a Navy man. I am always moved by the WWII documentaries I see of shot up ships that are only just barely still afloat whose shot up flag is still flying by moonlight. Maybe the busy sailors just could not get around to taking it in. Or maybe the flag said "don't you dare take me in tonight." Take a look at the field of flags shown on this page: http://flagguys.com/amer.html Those did not come in at night either. I hope this information helps. Thanks for your interest, for your service and for loving our flag.