Half-Staff Alerts across the USA
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Current Half-Staffs
... Half-Staff map with Flag and honoree details below ...
Half-Staff Alerts & Honorees for January 17
All Flags across MINNESOTA (on Jan. 17): MN Governor ordered all (US & State) Flags, at state and federal facilities across the state, to half-staff, from sunrise to sunset on Fri., Jan. 17, in memory and remembrance of Fire Chief Daryl "Taddy" Drusch, of the Howard Lake Fire & Rescue Service. CLICK HERE to see the Flag order.
All Flags across ILLINOIS (IL: until Jan. 18): Illinois' Governor ordered all Flags at state facilities, and other locations that follow the Illinois Flag Display Act, across Illinois to half-staff, immediately on Thursday afternoon, Jan. 16, until sunset on Sat., Jan. 18, the date of his interment, in honor and remembrance of US Army Specialist Henry Jarrett "Mitch" Mayfield, Jr., of Hazel Crest, Illinois, who was killed in action by terrorists at a base in Manda Bay, Kenya, on Jan. 5.. CLICK HERE to read the Flag order.
All Flags in Spencer, WEST VIRGINIA (WV: until Jan. 18): Spencer's Mayor, assumedly with the authority and approval of the Governor, ordered all Flags at city facilities, and invited residents to join the tribute, in Spencer, WV to half-staff until sunset on Sat., Jan. 18, the date of his interment, in honor of Clover volunteer firefighter Mark Horwich, who was killed in the line of duty when his fire truck crashed on Sat., Jan. 11. CLICK HERE to read about the Flag order.
All Flags in Blue Grass, IOWA (IA: until Jan. 18): City officials, assumedly with authority and approval of the Iowa Governor ordered all Flags at city buildings to half-staff until sunset on Sat., Jan. 18, the date of his interment, to honor Mayor, and veteran and volunteer fireman, Larry Guy. CLICK HERE to see the Flag tribute info.
All Flags in City of Commerce, CALIFORNIA (CA: until Jan. 21): City of Commerce's Mayor, assumedly with authority and approval of the CA Governor, and concurrent with the current LA County flags tribute, ordered all Flags at city buildings to half-staff until sunset on Tue., Jan. 21, the date of the next city council meeting, to honor former Mayor and City Councilman Robert "Bob" Eula. CLICK HERE to see the Flag tribute info.
All Flags across Los Angeles County, CALIFORNIA (CA: until TBD): LA County officials, assumedly with authority and approval of the CA Governor, ordered all Flags at Los Angeles County and cities within the county to half-staff until sunset on the date of her interment (TBD), to honor Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office Detective Amber Leist. CLICK HERE to see the Flag tribute info.
All Flags across Lubbock City and County, TEXAS (TX: until Jan. 19): Lubbock County Judge Parrish, now with confirmed authority and approval of the Governor, ordered all Flags at county facilities in Lubbock County, and now the Governor ordered all Flags in the city of Lubbock, TX to half-staff until sunset, on Sun., Jan. 19, to honor two first responders, Eric Hill of the Lubbock Fire Department and Officer Nicholas Reyna of the Lubbock Police Department, killed in the line of duty when struck by a vehicle on Saturday (Jan. 11). CLICK HERE to read about the county Flag tribute. And, GO HERE to see the Governor's Flag order.
All Flags across NORTH CAROLINA (NC: until Jan. 19): NC's Governor ordered all Flags at state facilities to half-staff, immediately on Mon., Jan. 13, until sunset on Sun., Jan. 19, in honor of US Staff Sgt. Ian Paul McLaughlin of Virginia (right picture) and Pfc. Miguel Angel Villalon of Illinois, who lost their lives while conducting combat operations on Saturday in Kandahar, Afghanistan. Staff Sgt. McLaughlin and Pfc. Villalon were both paratroopers assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division based in Fort Bragg, NC. GO HERE to read the Flag order.
All Flags in Aurora, ILLINOIS (IL: until TBD): Aurora's Mayor, assumedly with the authority and approval of the Governor, ordered all Flags at city facilities in Aurora, IL to half-staff until sunset on the date of his interment (TBD), in memory of a courageous young hero, US Army PFC Miguel Villalon, who killed in action on Sat., Jan. 11, in Afghanistan. CLICK HERE to read about the Flag order.
Upcoming Half-Staffs
All Flags atop Capitol Complex and across Roane County, WEST VIRGINIA (WV: on Jan. 18): WV's Governor ordered all Flags atop the State Capitol Complex and at state facilities in Roane County to half-staff, from sunrise to sunset, on Sat., Jan. 18, in honor of Clover volunteer firefighter Mark Horwich, who was killed in the line of duty when his fire truck crashed on Sat., Jan. 11. CLICK HERE to read the Flag order.
All Flags across NC, on date TBD, for Ft. Bragg soldier killed during parachute training
FINALLY! - TEXT (National & State) Half-Staff Alerts:
CLICK HERE to sign-up for National and State-targeted Half-Staff Flag Alert TEXT Notifications
(Many prefer this text alert service because within the Flag Steward app, we can only deliver state-targeted half-staff notifications if you are located in the state and always share your location with the app - which, rightfully, is not something most users want to do)
This is a FREE service powered by Flag Steward's nonprofit
CLICK HERE to sign-up for National and State-targeted Half-Staff Flag Alert TEXT Notifications
(Many prefer this text alert service because within the Flag Steward app, we can only deliver state-targeted half-staff notifications if you are located in the state and always share your location with the app - which, rightfully, is not something most users want to do)
This is a FREE service powered by Flag Steward's nonprofit
Do you want to know ... why is the Flag at half-staff today? ... then,
CLICK HERE to get DAILY HALF-STAFF NOTIFICATIONS by installing the Flag Steward app
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
CLICK HERE to review the completed / archived half-staff alerts for 2020
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.