Anthems Of Foreign Nations

National anthems of foreign countries can be obtained from the Department of the Army. Anthems of foreign nations are used when rendering personal honors on the occasion of official visits of a foreign President or Sovereign or member of a royal family. Subsequent to the Star Spangled Banner, at morning and evening ceremonies honoring our national flag, honors to foreign ensigns shall be rendered at morning colors only by the band playing the appropriate foreign national anthem. The salute to present arms shall terminate with the sounding of "carry on." There is no regulation on the order of playing the national anthem of a foreign visitor. Courtesy and long-standing usage indicate that the foreign visitor's national anthem is played before the American anthem. The national anthem may be played at the beginning, middle, or end of a program, the choice being made according to where it will be given the greatest dignity. The anthem is always played with dignity. There is never applause after its rendition. The anthem is never "jazzed up" to compete with modern music. Then anthem is never played as part of a medley.

The Great American Flag assembled in 1980 by Anchor Industries, Inc., measured 210'2" high by 411' in length. It was given to President Reagan in 1980 who, in turn, gave it to the General Services Administration for safekeeping. - National Flag Foundation