Flying the Flag at Half Staff
Most government facilities, from post offices to libraries, have flags displayed in front of them. Most of the time, these flags are at full staff, waving in the wind. Some individuals also display American flags in front of their homes for a number of reasons. However, many people are not familiar with particular protocols when it comes to how and when the flag should be displayed at half staff, half mast if it is on a sea-fairing vessel. The following article will enumerate a number of occasions when it is appropriate for the flag to be flown at half staff.
First, there are a few dates when the flag should be displayed at half staff and the duration of time in which they remain as such. These days include:
1) May 15 Peace Officers Memorial Day (a day that pays tribute to law enforcement personnel). On this day, the flag should be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset.
2) Memorial Day occurs on the last Monday of May and commemorates those who have fallen in past and current wars. On this day, the flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon.
3) September 11 Patriot Day (commemorates the 3,000 individuals who died on September 11, 2001). The flag should be displayed half-staff from sunrise to sunset.
4) December 7 National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (commemorates the day the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941). The flag should be displayed from sunrise to sunset.
In addition to these specific days, there are also unforeseen times when flags are displayed at half staff during the course of the year. These times include:
1) The death of a current or past President, Vice President, current or retired Chief Justice or Speaker of the House. To commemorate the death of a President, the flag is flown at half staff for 30 days after his death. For the death of the Vice President, current or retired Chief Justice or Speaker of the House, the flag is displayed this way for 10 days after his or her death.
2) The flag is displayed at half staff from date of death to the day of interment for the following individuals: Associate Justices of the Supreme Court, Secretaries of an executive or military department, Former Vice Presidents, and Governor of a State, territory, or possession.
3) If a member of Congress dies, the flag is only displayed at half staff from the day of death to the following day.
4) The flag can also be flown at half staff if proclaimed by the President or a Governor of a State. For example, in the two states where I've lived, flags are flown at half staff when a soldier from the state dies in the current war. When a prominent state official or well-known personality of a state dies, the Governor can also decree that the flag be displayed at half staff. President George W. Bush also decreed that the flag be flown at half staff when the Pope died because he was a well-known person internationally.
The above information illustrated that there are many specific days and events in which the flag should be displayed at half staff. However, it also illustrates that sometime the discretion of the government official comes into play.
Source of information:
http://www.ushistory.org/BETSY/flagetiq.html#q09
