[ SSweeney pic, taken in May 2018 of Flag, honoring a Vietnam War Fallen Marine, posted atop Highlands Point with Mt. Evans in distance ]
Welcome to today's Half-Saff Alerts and Lessons from Our Flag for Friday, May 5th.
There are Governor-directed half-staff orders for all flags across New York and one county in Indiana. And, the State Flag of Maryland is at half-staff as well.
There are Governor-directed half-staff orders for all flags across New York and one county in Indiana. And, the State Flag of Maryland is at half-staff as well.
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
- a subscriber-only service from the Flag Steward nonprofit
- a subscriber-only service from the Flag Steward nonprofit
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to get a one-time, LIFETIME subscription for NATIONAL and STATE-TARGETED Half-Staff & Back-to-Full-Staff TEXT ALERTS (just $5 tax-deductible donation).
Today's Lesson from Our Flag recalls ...
[ educational use image ]
On this date, May 5th of 1809, most historians recognize that Mary Kies became the first woman to be awarded a US patent for her method of weaving straw with silk. President Monroe signed her patent - enabling Mary Kies to protect her invention (straw hats bound with silk) from being copied without compensation.
On this date, May 5th of 1809, most historians recognize that Mary Kies became the first woman to be awarded a US patent for her method of weaving straw with silk. President Monroe signed her patent - enabling Mary Kies to protect her invention (straw hats bound with silk) from being copied without compensation.
Half-Staff Alerts & Honorees for May 5
*** 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 NEW YORK (NY: May 4 - 5): New York Governor ordered all flags at state / public facilities across the state to half-staff, from sunrise on Thu,, May 4 until sunset on Fri., May 5, in honor of retired New York State Police Senior Investigator Nicholas A. Georgeadis, who died from a 9/11 related illness. CLICK HERE to read the Gov.'s Flag order.
[ Note: To receive a Back-to-Full-Staff text alert for this order at sunset and all future New York 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 York Governor (and US President) Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]
STATE of MD Flags across MARYLAND (MD: May 5): Maryland's Governor ordered the STATE of Maryland flag at all government / public facilities across the state to half-staff, from sunrise to sunset on Fri., May 5, for Fallen Heroes Day. This day honors Maryland police, firefighters, and emergency medical/rescue personnel who have lost their lives in the line of duty during the last year. 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 Maryland 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 Maryland Governor (and US President) Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]
All Flags across LaGrange County, INDIANA (IN: May 5): Indiana's Governor ordered all (US & State) flags at government / public facilities across LaGrange County, Indiana to half-staff, from sunrise until sunset, on Fri., May 5, in honor and remembrance of former State Senator Robert L. Meeks, who passed away on Wednesday, April 26. Meeks was elected in 1988 to the Indiana State Senate for district 13 and served until his retirement in 2008. CLICK HERE to read the Governor's Flag orders.
[Note: To receive a Back-to-Full-Staff text alert for this order at sunset and all future Indiana 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 Indiana Governor (and US President) Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]
Upcoming Half-Staffs
NATIONAL HALF-STAFF on May 7
All U.S. Flags to HALF-STAFF across the USA, along with all State and other Flags flying where the U.S. Flag is hoisted, from sunrise to sunset on Sun., May 7, to honor the National Fallen Firefighter Memorial service. GO HERE to see the Public Law 107-51 that establishes this annual National Half-Staff. GO HERE to learn more about this service and CLICK HERE to learn why this memorial weekend was moved from October to May.
[Note: To receive a Back-to-Full-Staff text alert for this order and all future National and State Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]
All U.S. Flags to HALF-STAFF across the USA, along with all State and other Flags flying where the U.S. Flag is hoisted, from sunrise to sunset on Sun., May 7, to honor the National Fallen Firefighter Memorial service. GO HERE to see the Public Law 107-51 that establishes this annual National Half-Staff. GO HERE to learn more about this service and CLICK HERE to learn why this memorial weekend was moved from October to May.
[Note: To receive a Back-to-Full-Staff text alert for this order and all future National and State Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]
All Flags atop State Capitol of SOUTH DAKOTA (SD: May 7): South Dakota's Governor ordered all flags atop the SD State Capitol to half-staff, from sunrise to sunset on Sun., May 7, in honor of former State Representative Marie C. Ingalls. CLICK HERE to read about the Governor's Flag order.
[Note: To receive a Back-to-Full-Staff text alert for this order at sunset and all future South Dakota 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 South Dakota 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.