Scroll down to see how the Flag Steward nonprofit, which Informed, Inspired, & Served more than 1.4 million unique users in 2021,
delivers the most accurate, honorable, and complete national and state half-staff alerts and an informative / inspiring daily 'Pre-Pledge of Allegiance Tribute' for students to perform and all Americans to witness.
[ Top pic = SSweeney pic of Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, CA ]
delivers the most accurate, honorable, and complete national and state half-staff alerts and an informative / inspiring daily 'Pre-Pledge of Allegiance Tribute' for students to perform and all Americans to witness.
[ Top pic = SSweeney pic of Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, CA ]
Welcome to today's Half-Staff Alerts and Pre-Pledge Tribute for Tuesday, May 31st.
There is a new half-staff order in Virginia and Iowa. Flags are half-staff across Virginia on the anniversary of the Va. Beach mass shooting, throughhout Iowa for 2 military members and in parts of Texas for a county commissioner.
There is a new half-staff order in Virginia and Iowa. Flags are half-staff across Virginia on the anniversary of the Va. Beach mass shooting, throughhout Iowa for 2 military members and in parts of Texas for a county commissioner.
Keep SCROLLING down to review the Half-Staff alerts details and honoree pics, as well as any UPCOMING national and state Half-Staff alerts.
[ Students perform and/or listen to their teacher read the daily 'Pre-Pledge Tribute' text in RED ]
Today's Pre-Pledge Tribute recalls ...
[ public domain image ]
On this date, May 31st of 1790, America puts into place its first federal / national copyright law - protecting the printing, reprinting, publishing, and vending of maps, charts, and books for at least 14 years throughout the United States. This empowered business people to work hard and reap the rewards of their efforts - knowing others cannot make money off unauthorized copies of their published works.
On this date, May 31st of 1790, America puts into place its first federal / national copyright law - protecting the printing, reprinting, publishing, and vending of maps, charts, and books for at least 14 years throughout the United States. This empowered business people to work hard and reap the rewards of their efforts - knowing others cannot make money off unauthorized copies of their published works.
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 $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 $5 tax-deductible donation).
Half-Staff Alerts & Honorees for May 31
*** 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 (US & State) across VIRGINIA (VA: on May 31): Virginia's Governor ordered, late, via email at 9:36am EST on Tue., May 31, the flags of the United States and State (Commonwealth) of Virginia atop at all government / public facilities across VA, to half-staff, from sunrise to sunset on Tue, May 31, in respect and memory of the victims of the May 31, 2019, shooting at the Virginia Beach Municipal Center, their families, and the entire Virginia Beach community. CLICK HERE to see the Governor's order.

All Flags across IOWA (IA: May 31): Iowa's Governor ordered all (US & State) Flags at government / public facilities across the state, to half-staff, from sunrise to sunset on Tue., May 31, the date of their interments, to honor former US Navy Commander Larry Spencer of West Des Moines, a former prisoner of war in North Vietnam, and US Navy Sailor Jack Breedlove of Cedar Rapids who was killed while serving at Pearl Harbor during World War II. CLICK HERE to read the Governor's Flag order.
[ Note: To receive a Back-to-Full-Staff text alert for this order and all future Iowa 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 Iowa Governor (and US President) Flag orders = GO CLICK HERE ]

All (U.S. & State) Flags in Galveston County, and surrounding areas, TEXAS (TX: May 10 - June 4): TX's Governor ordered the all flags at government / public facilities in Galveston County, TX to half-staff, until sunset on Sat., June 4, the date of his memorial service [and, individuals, businesses, municipalities, and other political subdivisions and entities in the surrounding area and region may fly flags at half-staff for the same period as a sign of honor and respect] in honor of the life and service of Galveston County Commissioner Ken Clark. GO HERE to see the info about the Governor's order. GO HERE to see info about his memorial service.
[Note: To receive a Back-to-Full-Staff text alert for this order and all future Flag orders in TX 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 TX and across USA = GO CLICK HERE ]
Upcoming Half-Staffs
None.
None.
Concurrent with the National Half-Staff are the following Governor / State ordered half-staffs:
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.