What are the rules for flying a flag at half-staff?
Following the death of the President or a former President, the flag should be flown at half-staff for 30 days. Following the death of the Vice President, the Chief Justice, a retired Chief Justice of the United States or the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the flag should be flown at half-staff for 10 days.
When can the American flag be lowered to half-staff?
The president may order the flag to be flown at half-staff to mark the death of other officials, former officials, or foreign dignitaries. In addition to these occasions, the president may order half-staff display of the flag after other tragic events.
Is it illegal to not fly flag at half-mast?
No, only the President of the United States or the Governor of your State may order the flag to be half-staffed. Those individuals and agencies that usurp authority and display the flag at half-staff on inappropriate occasions are quickly eroding the honor and reverence accorded this solemn act.
Why do flags fly at half-mast?
The Half-Staff Flag At the most basic level, the flag is a symbol of national mourning or remembrance. It’s most frequently flown at half-staff when a national figure dies, but it can also be lowered as a sign of sympathy or support for foreign nations going through periods of mourning.
What does it mean when the American flag is half way up?
mourning
n. The position about halfway up a mast or pole at which a flag is flown as a symbol of mourning for the dead or as a signal of distress. Also called half-staff.
Why are the American flags at half-mast?
Flags are being lowered to half-staff today to honor Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day and the life of Senator Bob Dole. Dole, who died Sunday, served in World War II as an Army platoon leader in Italy and as a U.S. Congressman and Senator from Kansas for over 30 years. He ran for U.S. President in 1996.
Is it illegal to lower a flag?
No. According to the Flag Code, only the president of the US or your state governor can order the US flag lowered to half-staff. You can half-staff your company flag, which has the advantage of informing passersby and uninformed employees, clients, etc., that someone important to your company has died.
Why do we fly the flag at half-staff?
What does a flag at half staff mean?
Half-mast (British, Canadian and Australian English) or half-staff (American English) refers to a flag flying below the summit of a ship mast, a pole on land, or a pole on a building.In many countries this is seen as a symbol of respect, mourning, distress, or, in some cases, a salute. Most English-speaking countries use the term half-mast in all instances.
Is my flag supposed to be at half staff?
the United States of America, that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and
Why are the flags at half staff?
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – As COVID cases continue to rise in Kansas and across the nation, Gov. Laura Kelly on Wednesday ordered flags to be flown at half-staff to honor the 7,001 lives that have been lost in Kansas. “It is with great sadness that I am
When to raise flag to half staff?
Roy Cooper is calling for all U.S. and N.C. flags at state facilities to be lowered to half staff immediately until sunset chairman of the World War II Memorial Campaign, helping raise millions to construct the first memorial dedicated to all World