flags at half mast

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steveno

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who gives the order that the American flag is to fly at half mast? I noticed that the flags in town were at half mast and I figured it was for a certain death in the headlines a couple of days ago for which I definitely don't agree. I suppose if it is a federal government location there isn't a choice in the matter. are state governments required to follow also? if a person has a flag in the front yard are they required to follow suit?
 
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I believe that the president and govenors can order flags to half staff by decree.

I also believe it is being done so often these days that it is loosing its meaning and become so common it is no longer the sign of respect it should be. A few years ago, locally, the flags were lowered to half mast because a local college student fell from a cliff and died. She was just a student from out of state. I'm sorry but lowering the flags to half staff for that young woman was an abuse of the honor.
 
steveno said:
who gives the order that the American flag is to fly at half mast? I noticed that the flags in town were at half mast and I figured it was for a certain death in the headlines a couple of days ago for which I definitely don't agree. I suppose if it is a federal government location there isn't a choice in the matter. are state governments required to follow also? if a person has a flag in the front yard are they required to follow suit?
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Pearl Harbor Day is why mine are half mast today.
Mark
 
The flag code (4 U.S.C. § 1) has no enforcement or penalty provisions; Per Wikipedia the guidelines for half-staff for mourning purposes state:

The flag is to be flown at half-staff in mourning for the death of designated, principal government leaders.
The flag is to be flown at half-staff for thirty days in mourning for the death of the current or former President of the United States.
The U.S. flag is otherwise flown at half-staff (or half-mast, on ships) only when directed by the President of the United States, a state governor (within that state), or the mayor of Washington, D.C. (within the district).

But as there is no enforcement provision outside the UCMJ, it's a toothless tradition.
 
An old excepted tradition.

Per USFlag. Org,
FLYING THE FLAG AT HALF-STAFF: The pertinent section of the Flag Code says, "by order of the President, the flag shall be flown at half-staff upon the death of principal figures of the United States Government and the Governor of a State, territory, or possesion, as a mark of respect to their memory. In the event of the death of other officials or foreign dignitaries, the flag is to be displayed at half-staff according to Presidential orders, or in accordance with recognized customs or practices not inconsistent with law.
 
I've also noticed more half-staff flags. Mostly when a local service person dies in action.

I've often thought that communities or schools should institute a community Gold Star flag that flies below the National Flag. If a community member is killed in action, a Gold Star is added. I think that would remind the community that freedom isn't free.
 
I did a little google-fu and here are the last 5 times it happened.

Nelson Mandela, former president of South Africa (2013)
Pope John Paul II (2005)
King Hussein of Jordan (1999)
Yitzhak Rabin, prime minister of Israel (1995)
Anwar Sadat, president of Egypt (1981)
 
jlrhiner said:
I did a little google-fu and here are the last 5 times it happened.

Nelson Mandela, former president of South Africa (2013)
Pope John Paul II (2005)
King Hussein of Jordan (1999)
Yitzhak Rabin, prime minister of Israel (1995)
Anwar Sadat, president of Egypt (1981)
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You forget the time when Poo Poo Boudreaux's new Bateau sank on opening day and he lost that load of corn
 
CAJUNLAWYER said:
I was worried until I looked again and saw it wasn't Morgan Freeman. Whew!!!! That was close :D
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No idea if it was real or not... but somebody posted up a screen capture of a Facebook post breathlessly reporting the death with a picture of...

...Morgan Freeman. :facepalm:

I lawl'd though. Am I a terrible person? :D
 
In my state, every time one of our active duty service men or women dies in combat action overseas, the governor declares all state government flags be flown at half staff on the day of the funeral. Federal and local agencies within the state honor the governors request. I don't think that devalues the tradition or standards of lowering the flag. On the other hand, every time a Senator or Representative dies in office, the President orders flags be flown at half staff.
 
Ranger514 said:
In my state, every time one of our active duty service men or women dies in combat action overseas, the governor declares all state government flags be flown at half staff on the day of the funeral. Federal and local agencies within the state honor the governors request. I don't think that devalues the tradition or standards of lowering the flag. On the other hand, every time a Senator or Representative dies in office, the President orders flags be flown at half staff.
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I didn't intend to imply that lowering the Flag to half-staff in memory of the death of an active service person devalues the tradition. I would never begrudge them any honor or remembrance. My suggestion is intended to find a way to remember their sacrifice continually.
 
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