Star Spangled Beauties: Buy a flag that has flown over the U.S. Capitol

Three cheers for the red, white, and flew! An American flag that has waved its stars and stripes over the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., makes a terrific gift to celebrate an anniversary, acknowledge a military promotion, or thank a friend who really stepped up in a time of need. These flags, which can be ordered only through U.S. senators and U.S. representatives, are priced at cost: A 3x5-foot cotton or nylon flag is about $13, plus shipping. Larger sizes are available too.

How popular is the U.S. Capitol flag program? More than 100,000 flag requests are filled each year.

Each flag is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity, and you can specify the date on which your flag will be flown. But don’t let the lack of a special occasion deter you from ordering a flag: It makes a great conversation piece when flown from your own home’s flagpole. 

You’ll find more details — and request forms — on the websites of your U.S. senator and representative. Usually the flag information is found under “constituent services,” “services,” or “constituents.” But keep poking around if you can’t find it immediately: On the website of U.S. Sen. Wicker of Mississippi, it’s under “How can I help you?”

Most senators and representatives require that you use snail mail to send flag requests, which must be accompanied by a check or money order; very few allow phone or Internet purchases. 

Worth noting: You must request flags through your home state’s senator or representative. 

• Find your U.S. senator: Visit the United States Senate website for a list of U.S. Senators, plus links to their websites.
• Find your U.S. representative: Visit the United States House of Representatives website for a list of all U.S. Representatives, plus links to their websites.