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Flags Full Staff Today?
Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 10:40 am
by cdc101
Question on the flags at half staff...
We lowered our flag to half staff here at the plant after the Ft Hood terrorist attack and I had heard that we were suppose to raise them back up to full staff today .
Can anyone confirm this so I can go out there and raise it back up?
Re: Flags Full Staff Today?
Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 11:54 am
by cdc101
Anyone anyone?
Re: Flags Full Staff Today?
Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 11:54 am
by joe817
I don't have an answer to that, but IMO, I would follow the same procedure as was implemented after the 9/11 incident if I were charged with that decision.
Re: Flags Full Staff Today?
Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 11:59 am
by cdc101
joe817 wrote:I don't have an answer to that, but IMO, I would follow the same procedure as was implemented after the 9/11 incident if I were charged with that decision.
Thanks Joe...I can't remember what the protocol was after the 9/11 Terror Attacks though!
I'll keep digging and thank you for your reply.
Re: Flags Full Staff Today?
Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 12:08 pm
by TLynnHughes
According to information at this website -
http://halfstaff.org/2009/11/06/fort-hood-shootings/ - the end of the half staff proclamation was sunset yesterday. Old Glory should be flying at the top of the staff today!
Hope that helps.
T.
Re: Flags Full Staff Today?
Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 12:32 pm
by joe817
Thanks TLynn. For some reason, I do not believe it gives proper homage and reverence for such a tragic event, for such a short period of time. But that's just me.
Re: Flags Full Staff Today?
Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 1:37 pm
by TLynnHughes
joe817 wrote:Thanks TLynn. For some reason, I do not believe it gives proper homage and reverence for such a tragic event, for such a short period of time. But that's just me.
I had mixed feelings about it. My first reaction was the same as yours. But then it kind of seemed ok that Old Glory should be at the top of mast and flying spectacularly for Veteran's Day. I kind of stopped watching the Ft. Hood coverage because they seemed to be focusing on the wrong thing. Everybody knows the name of the shooter, but not too many people can name the honorable that were killed and even less can name those that were wounded. To me, that's what the stories should be about. But hey...that's just me.
T.
Re: Flags Full Staff Today?
Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 10:40 pm
by Kevinf2349
My understanding was that flags were to fly half staff
until today, when they should be raised to full staff.
Mine was flying full staff today with a POW MIA flag flying directly underneath it.
Re: Flags Full Staff Today?
Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 10:58 pm
by ELB
Emphasis added.
UPDATE: The President has just issued the following proclamation:
Honoring the Victims of the Tragedy at Fort Hood, Texas
- - - - - - -
By The President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
Our Nation's thoughts and prayers are with the service members, civilians, and families affected by the tragic events at Fort Hood, Texas. The brave victims, who risked their lives to protect their fellow countrymen, serve as a constant source of strength and inspiration to all Americans. We ask God to watch over the fallen, the wounded, and all those who are suffering at this difficult hour.
As a mark of respect honoring the victims of the tragedy at Fort Hood, Texas, I hereby order, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of 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 possessions until sunset, Tuesday, November 10, 2009. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixth day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.
BARACK OBAMA
http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2009/11/06/half-staff-0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Re: Flags Full Staff Today?
Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 10:59 pm
by Dudley
Flags are flying at half staff here for Remembrance Day.
Re: Flags Full Staff Today?
Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 11:05 pm
by cdc101
Thanks for all the info! I had to leave work today before I was able to read everyone's reply's so when I get in tomorrow, I'll raise her up to the top.
While driving through Houston today I noticed all government buildings (post offices, fire stations, and library's) still had their flags at half staff.
Re: Flags Full Staff Today?
Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 11:47 pm
by ELB
cdc101 wrote:...While driving through Houston today I noticed all government buildings (post offices, fire stations, and library's) still had their flags at half staff.
I think in most people's mind there is minimal difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day. Veterans Day was of course originally Armistice Day (in the US), and originally designated to mark the end of the war and celebration of peace. It became a way to honor the veterans of WWI. After WWII, there was a push to have Congress officially designate Nov 11 as a day to honor all veterans from all US wars, living and dead. Memorial Day started after the Civil War as Decoration Day, a day to honor civil war vets, but with particular emphasis on decorating the graves of the dead civil war veterans, hence the name. Some places started calling it Memorial Day early on, some not until Congress dealt "organized" all Federal holidays after WWII.
By US Flag Code (which is a guide without the force of law), on Memorial Day the US Flag is flown at half-staff until noon, then raised to full staff. It is the only holiday designated like this in the Code, but as I said, Memorial and Veterans Days have more or less become mirror images. Combined with honoring of the dead at Ft Hood, no wonder there is confusion today. I saw lots of Flags at half-staff in Seguin as well.
Best wishes to all my fellow veterans, of whatever era.
Re: Flags Full Staff Today?
Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 9:55 am
by akhooters7
i am still seeing some today at half.......
Re: Flags Full Staff Today?
Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 12:54 pm
by chabouk
akhooters7 wrote:i am still seeing some today at half.......
People are mostly ignorant about flag etiquette.
Re: Flags Full Staff Today?
Posted: Tue Nov 17, 2009 9:20 pm
by Kevinf2349
Including League City VFD it seems!
Their flag was still at half mast today (11/17).