[ SSweeney pic at sunset, a forest fire smoke-filled one, at Flag Steward HQ in August 2021 ]
Welcome to today's Half-Staff Alerts for Monday, July 31st.
There are Governor-directed half-staff orders across South Carolina and atop the California State Capitol.
There are Governor-directed half-staff orders across South Carolina and atop the California State Capitol.
Keep SCROLLING down to review the Half-Staff alerts details and honoree pics.
National and State-Targeted Half-Staff & Back-to-Full-Staff TEXT ALERTS
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Half-Staff Alerts & Honorees for July 31st
*** 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 SOUTH CAROLINA (SC: July 31): South Carolina's Governor ordered all (US & State) Flags at government / public facilities across the state to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Mon., July 31, the date of his funeral, in tribute to and in honor of his selfless service, remarkable bravery, and supreme sacrifice of Newberry Police Department's Lieutenant Michael Charles Wood, Jr., who died recently in an on-duty police car crash. CLICK HERE to read the Governor's order.
[Note: To receive a Back-to-Full-Staff text alert for this order at sunset and all future South Carolina 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 Carolina Governor (and US President) Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]

All Flags at the State Capitol of CALIFORNIA (CA: July 31): California Governor ordered all Flags at the State Capitol, in a memo posted to Governor's website on Sun., July 30, to half-staff, without a specific date/time set by the Governor, so assumedly Capitol staff is enabling this tribute on Mon., July 31, in honor of Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Recruit Alejandro Martinez, who recently succumbed to injuries he sustained after he was struck by a wrong-way driver while on a training run with his academy classmates on November 16, 2022, in Whittier. He had been hospitalized at UCLA Medical Center-Westwood since the date of the crash. 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 California 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 California Governor (and US President) Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]
Upcoming Half-Staffs
New Jersey (Aug. 6) - for 50th anniv. of fallen officer
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.