Service Members Are No Longer Banned from Displaying the American Flag Horizontally at Major...

It might come as a surprise, but U.S. service members weren't technically allowed to unfurl giant U.S. flags at major events, despite the practice's status as a staple of many pregame ceremonies. Indeed, a February 2023 Defense Department memo reminded troops that the flag should never be carried flat or horizontally at any time.

Now, the Pentagon is tossing that restriction. According to a new memo released Jan. 10, 2025, service members can freely unfurl Old Glory "regardless of its size or position, at eligible public sporting and other community events, provided that such displays are done in a respectful manner," Stars and Stripes reports.