[ SSweeney pic, taken in April 2020, of US Flag & US Marine Corps flag flying at Flag Steward HQ ]
Welcome to today's Half-Staff Alerts and Lessons from Our Flag for Tuesday, April 18th.
There is a Governor-directed half-staff order across Kentucky.
There is a Governor-directed half-staff order across Kentucky.
Keep SCROLLING down to review the Half-Staff alerts details and honoree pics, any UPCOMING national and state Half-Staff alerts, and info on our member-only half-staff and back-to-full-staff text alerts for your state and USA.
National and State-Targeted Half-Staff & Back-to-Full-Staff TEXT ALERTS
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Today's Lesson from Our Flag recalls ...
[ public domain images below ]
On this date, April 18th of 1775, Paul Revere was not the only one to make the famous midnight ride to warn colonials that the "Redcoats are coming!" William Dawes and Dr. Samuel Prescott helped Paul Revere by riding and delivering the message to other towns near Boston. Their mission was to make sure that Samuel Adams and John Hancock did not get caught by the Redcoats. The term, Redcoats, referred to the fancy red uniforms of the British army. Revere, Dawes, and Prescott also told patriots in nearby Concord that the British army may march in to take their gunpowder and cannons. Their rides prepared colonials for the first battles of the Revolutionary War the next day - the Battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19th of 1775.
On this date, April 18th of 1775, Paul Revere was not the only one to make the famous midnight ride to warn colonials that the "Redcoats are coming!" William Dawes and Dr. Samuel Prescott helped Paul Revere by riding and delivering the message to other towns near Boston. Their mission was to make sure that Samuel Adams and John Hancock did not get caught by the Redcoats. The term, Redcoats, referred to the fancy red uniforms of the British army. Revere, Dawes, and Prescott also told patriots in nearby Concord that the British army may march in to take their gunpowder and cannons. Their rides prepared colonials for the first battles of the Revolutionary War the next day - the Battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19th of 1775.
Half-Staff Alerts & Honorees for April 18
*** Reminder: The Flag orders, by government officials (President, Governor, etc.) are for flags at government facilities within that official's jurisdiction. Citizens are encouraged, but not required to follow the orders.
*** Reminder: The Flag orders, by government officials (President, Governor, etc.) are for flags at government facilities within that official's jurisdiction. Citizens are encouraged, but not required to follow the orders.
All Flags across KENTUCKY (KY: Apr. 18): Kentucky's Governor ordered all (US & State) Flags at all state government / public facilities to half-staff, from sunrise to sunset on Tue., Apr. 18, on the date of their funerals, in honor of two Fort Campbell stationed US Army soldiers - U.S. Army, Cpl. Emilie Marie Eve Bolanos, 23, of Austin, Texas, and Staff Sgt. Taylor J. Mitchell, 30, of Mountain Brook, Alabama, who were killed in a HH-60 Blackhawk helicopter crash on March 29. CLICK HERE to read the Governor's Flag order.
[Note: To receive a Back-to-Full-Staff text alert for this order at sunset and all future Kentucky Governor (and US President) Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]
[Note: To receive a Back-to-Full-Staff text alert for this order at sunset and all future Kentucky Governor (and US President) Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]
Upcoming Half-Staffs
GO CLICK HERE to see the completed National and State Half-Staff Orders in 2023
Half-Staff Flag Etiquette (Procedures):
Flag-raising at sunrise = hoist the Flags to full staff, then lower slowly, respectfully to half-staff
Flag-lowering at sunset = hoist Flags up from half-staff back to full-staff, then lower slowly, respectfully all the way down for removal
Flag-raising at sunrise = hoist the Flags to full staff, then lower slowly, respectfully to half-staff
Flag-lowering at sunset = hoist Flags up from half-staff back to full-staff, then lower slowly, respectfully all the way down for removal
Stars & Stripes Flag Etiquette:
The U.S. Flag Code:
provides Our Flag's Rules and Regulations (CLICK HERE for full details)
[HIGHLIGHTS OF: The U.S. Flag Code stating how citizens should conduct themselves during this ceremony is below.]
Title 36, Chapter 10 PATRIOTIC CUSTOMS
National anthem; Star-Spangled Banner, conduct during playing:
During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. Men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should render the military salute at the first note of the anthem and retain this position until the last note. When the flag is not displayed, those present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed there.
Note: A new law was passed on October 30, 2008 that authorizes veterans and active-duty military not in uniform can now render the military-style hand salute during the playing of the national anthem. This publication is currently being updated to reflect the new law.
Pledge of Allegiance to the flag; manner of delivery:
The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, "I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.", should be rendered by standing at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. When not in uniform men should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should remain silent, face the flag, and render the military salute.