[ SSweeney pic, taken in April 2019, of sun setting at Flag Steward HQ ]
Welcome to today's Half-Saff Alerts and Lessons from Our Flag for Saturday, April 29th.
There are Governor-directed half-staff orders for all flags across Alaska, New Mexico, and parts of Florida. There is also a State Flag half-staff order across Maryland.
There are Governor-directed half-staff orders for all flags across Alaska, New Mexico, and parts of Florida. There is also a State Flag half-staff order across Maryland.
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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- a subscriber-only service from the Flag Steward nonprofit
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Half-Staff Alerts & Honorees for April 29
*** 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 ALASKA (AK: Apr. 28 - 29): Alaska's Governor ordered all Flags at public facilities across the state to half-staff until sunset on Sat., Apr. 29, in honor of the 3 U.S. Army soldiers who lost their lives in the tragic helicopter crash in Healy, Alaska on April 27th. GO HERE to see info on the Flag order.

All Flags across NEW MEXICO (NM: Apr. 28 - 29): New Mexico's Governor ordered all (US & State) Flags at all government / public facilities across the state to half-staff, from sunrise on Fri., Apr. 28 until sunset on Sat., Apr. 29, in honor of and memorial to former NM Governor Jerry Apodaca, who served from 1975-79. CLICK HERE to read info about the Governor's Flag order.
[Note: To receive a Back-to-Full-Staff text alert for this order at sunset and all future New Mexico 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 New Mexico Governor (and US President) Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]

All State of Maryland Flags across Maryland (MD: Apr. 29): Maryland's Governor ordered all State of Maryland Flags at all state / public / government facilities across the state to half-staff, from sunrise to sunset, Sat., Apr. 29, the date of his interment, in honor of former Speaker of the House of Delegates Casper R. Taylor, Jr., who passed away on Monday, April 24, 2023. Former Speaker Taylor represented Legislative District 1. CLICK HERE to see the Flag order info.
[Note: To receive a Back-to-Full-Staff text alert for this order and all future Flag orders in Maryland and across USA = GO CLICK HERE ]
[Note: To receive a Back-to-Full-Staff text alert for this order and all future Flag orders in Maryland and across USA = GO CLICK HERE ]

All (U.S. & State) Flags atop the State Capitol in Tallahassee and specific government locations hereafter, FLORIDA (FL: Apr. 29): FL Governor ordered all (U.S. & State) Flags, at the Sarasota County Courthouse, the City Hall of Sarasota, and atop the State Capitol in Tallahassee, to half-staff, from sunrise to sunset on Sat., Apr. 29, to honor the life and service of County Commissioner Nancy Detert. CLICK HERE to see the Governor's Flag order.
[Note: To receive future Half-Staff and Back-to-Full-Staff TEXT alerts for Flag orders in Florida and across USA = GO CLICK HERE ]
[Note: To receive future Half-Staff and Back-to-Full-Staff TEXT alerts for Flag orders in Florida and across USA = GO CLICK HERE ]
Upcoming Half-Staffs

All (US & State) Flags across City of Madeira, OHIO (OH: May 1) Ohio's Governor ordered all Flags across the City of Madeira (and all other public buildings across the state may join at their discretion) to half-staff on Mon., May 1, the date of his interment, in honor of the life and service of Madeira Elementary School Principal Chris Flanagan. CLICK HERE to see the Governor's Flag order. GO HERE for his funeral info.
[ Note: To receive a Back-to-Full-Staff text alert for this order and all future Ohio Governor (and US President) Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]
[ Note: To receive a Back-to-Full-Staff text alert for this order and all future Ohio Governor (and US President) Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]
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.