[ SSweeney pic of Flag Steward HQ's U.S. and Colorado State Flags flying in May 2019 ]
Welcome to today's Half-Saff Alerts and Lessons from Our Flag for Wednesday, May 17th.
There is a Governor-directed half-staff order across Illinois.
There is a Governor-directed half-staff order across Illinois.
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
GO / CLICK HERE
to get a one-time, LIFETIME subscription for NATIONAL and STATE-TARGETED Half-Staff & Back-to-Full-Staff TEXT ALERTS (just a $5 tax-deductible donation).
to get a one-time, LIFETIME subscription for NATIONAL and STATE-TARGETED Half-Staff & Back-to-Full-Staff TEXT ALERTS (just a $5 tax-deductible donation).
Today's Lesson from Our Flag recalls ...
[ public domain image of Thurgood Marshall (center) and teammate lawyers celebrating the Supreme Court decision ]
On this date, May 17th of 1954, the Supreme Court voted unanimously, a 9-0 decision, that, per the US Constitution, public schools must be desegregated (meaning - they cannot separate schools of students based on their skin color; no more all-white or all-black schools). The court case, officially named Oliver Brown, et al. v. Board of Education of Topeka, et al., was brought before the US Supreme Court by Thurgood Marshall and his team of lawyers.
On this date, May 17th of 1954, the Supreme Court voted unanimously, a 9-0 decision, that, per the US Constitution, public schools must be desegregated (meaning - they cannot separate schools of students based on their skin color; no more all-white or all-black schools). The court case, officially named Oliver Brown, et al. v. Board of Education of Topeka, et al., was brought before the US Supreme Court by Thurgood Marshall and his team of lawyers.
Half-Staff Alerts & Honorees for May 17
*** 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 ILLINOIS (IL: May 11 - 17): Illinois' Governor ordered all (US & State) Flags at all government / public facilities across Illinois to half-staff, immediately on Thu., May 11 until sunset on Wed., May 17, in honor and remembrance of Chicago Police Officer Areanah M. Preston, who was shot and killed. 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 Illinois 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 Illinois Governor (and US President) Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]
Upcoming Half-Staffs
All Flags across NEW JERSEY (NJ: May 18): New Jersey's Governor ordered all flags at state / public facilities across NJ to half-staff, from sunrise to sunset, on Thu., May 18, the date of his funeral, in honor of former Assemblyman and Commissioner of Environmental Protection Robert “Bob” C. Shinn, Jr.. Shinn passed away on May 5, 2023 at the age of 85, leaving behind an enduring legacy of public service and environmentalism. 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 Jersey 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 Jersey 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:
[Cover of U.S. Government Publication]
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.
Flag Steward (formerly known as Beacon of Honor and originally incorporated as GivingVu.org, Inc. in 2013) is a nonpartisan, student-inspired, Veteran-led 501(c)(3) tax-deductible nonprofit organization based in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Tax ID# 46-2457373
