Flag raising ??

[Anonymous-0]

The Governor of NE has declared that flags are to be flown at half-staff in remembrance of the victims of the Omaha mall shooting. I am not a veteran, and may or may not even qualify as a decent human being, but isn't the half-staff supposed to be for heads of state or military leaders? By no means trying to make light of this horrible event, just wondering about the official rules, as I suspect that many people, like myself, really don't know.

 

[Chris(WA)]

I'm with you. While I do not wish to minimize the tragedy of something like this, the flying of flags at half staff is way over done these days. As I recall it is supposed to be a symbol of the passing of someone so great that the entire nation is in a state of mourning over the loss. The US flag is a symbol of our entire nation. I do not believe the govenor of a state has the authority to dictate how our countrys flag should be displayed. Maybe their state flag?
Do not mean to sound disrespectfull but the US flag is an inportant symbol to we the people and the world.

 

[John (C-IL)]

This should answer your questions, copied and pasted from an article on flag etiquette. It appears that any order by the president or a governor for an occasion of their choosing.

The Flag in Mourning
To place the flag at half staff, hoist it to the peak for an instant and lower it to a position half way between the top and bottom of the staff. The flag is to be raised again to the peak for a moment before it is lowered. On Memorial Day the flag is displayed at half staff until noon and at full staff from noon to sunset.

The flag is to be flown at half staff in mourning for designated, principal government leaders and upon presidential or gubernatorial order.

When used to cover a casket, the flag should be placed with the union at the head and over the left shoulder. It should not be lowered into the grave.

 

[Anonymous-0]

"Today, Dec.7,1941, A day that will live in Infamy" Pearl Harbor,Military Facility was attacked by Air Craft of the Japanese Empire. The respect of the Nation for the American lives lost rates Half Staff of the United States Of America Flag. I too regret the innocent lives lost at the hands of one of the degenerate examples of the present Society,'but' draw the line at symbols of sorrow for this tragedy by flying the Flag at Half Mast in their honor.Does the Governor of Neb. even have any knowledge of the tragedy inflicted on the American People so many years ago? Probably not. Being born in 1937 I lived as a young Child during that conflict and lost more than one Family member to it. To their rememberance and others of their final sacrifice I will fly 'my' Flag at Half Mast. The President of our HOA recently wanted to fly The USA and Ariz Flags at Half Mast for one day in honor of a Board Member who passed away.I and others were shocked at his intentions and put a stop to it. He admitted that he knew not much about Flag Etiquette and vowed to study up on it.Today should be a day of Mourning for our Nation ,but will probably not be given much thought by most.JC

 

[centralilbaler]

Lately our governor has been ordering the lowering of the flag to half-mast for the deaths of military memebers killed in the fighting. I do think that its a fitting tribute to them

 

[Dave from MN]

Not much of anything from the past of our great history and heritage is respected anymore. Wont be long and people will want the flag at half staff when there is an abused dog killing in the media. They can honer them fallen victims by trying to see what in that young mans life caused him to do this. Movies, video games, counseling or lack of, basic lack of respect and discepline being brought up. Our American society needs a good old slap up side head and see what we are doing to our young folks and our way of life. If he did not have access to a gun, he would have found another tool. God Bless all those involved, and God please help this country, it's starting to snowball on us.

 

[flashback]

This action as like many others dilute the meaning and honor that was originally intended until it becomes no longer meaningful, just another day at work. It is akin to awarding a trophy to all kids who played on a football team whetther they won or lost, so no one feels bad. We have lost the direction and meaning of just about everything by super dilution. Insensitivity has become the norm. Jake

 

[Walt Davies]

Like they said if ordered by the Governor, I have seen it for a lot of people over the years my best and worst memory was when President Kennedy was assassinated. That was 4 awful days of morning and the weather where I lived was terrible fog and even made it worse. Some things you just never forget.
Walt

 

[02XLT4X4]

It was the worst mass murder in Nebraska since 1958, I don't see the problem with lowering the flags.