HALF-STAFF FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When should the flag be flown at half-staff?
What is the proper procedure to fly your flag at half-staff?
Who can order half-staffing?
What about half-staff to honor other citizens?
What if you can't lower your flag?
HALF - STAFF ALERTS
January to September I October
VIRGINIA: OCTOBER 29 - NOVEMBER 29, 2019 - To honor former Governor Gerald Baliles
Governor Northam: “I am deeply sorry to hear of the passing of Governor Gerald Baliles. “As the 65th Governor of Virginia, he understood and valued the role government can play in improving citizens’ lives. He transformed Virginia’s transportation infrastructure, signed Virginia into the Chesapeake Bay agreement under which we still operate today, and focused on expanding access to higher education, among many other accomplishments. “Governor Baliles fought for rural Virginians, promoted civil discourse, and was the epitome of a true public servant. “While his accomplishments in office were, and remain, impressive, I will miss him for the kind ear and the sound advice he was always willing to give to me. Pam and I send our deepest sympathies to his wife, children, and loved ones. “I have directed that Virginia state flags be flown at half-staff in Governor Baliles’ honor for the next 30 days.”
MICHIGAN: NOVEMBER 12, 2019 - To honor former Congressman Bob Traxler
Governor Gretchen Whitmer has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags within the State Capitol Complex and on all public buildings and grounds throughout the state of Michigan, to be lowered to half-staff on Tuesday, November 12, to honor the life and service of former Congressman Bob Traxler. “Congressman Traxler embodied everything that it means to be a Michigander. He loved his family, his constituents, and the state that he served,” Whitmer said. “Bob was an effective leader because he worked tirelessly to deliver results even when nobody was paying attention. Our state is stronger due to his service, and he will be dearly missed.” Former Congressman Bob Traxler began his career in public service as a member of the United States Army. He served as an assistant prosecutor in Bay County before being elected to the Michigan House of Representatives. In 1974, Traxler was elected to Congress during a special election where he served until his retirement in 1993. In the years after his retirement, he served on the Mackinac Island State Park Commission and the Michigan State Board of Trustees.
Traxler passed away on Wednesday, October 30 at 88 years old. His ashes will be buried in Mackinac Island Public Cemetery. The State of Michigan recognizes the duty, honor and selfless service of former Congressman Bob Traxler by lowering flags to half-staff. Michigan residents, businesses, schools, local governments and other organizations also are encouraged to display the flag at half-staff. Flags should be returned to full-staff on Wednesday, November 13, 2019.
ALABAMA: NOVEMBER 9, 2019 - To honor Alabama Board of Education Member Ella Bell
From Governor Ivey: I am directing flags be flown at half-staff to honor the memory and longstanding service of Alabama Board of Education member Ella Bell, who passed away Sunday, November 3, 2019. Let us remember the life and service of Mrs. Bell, who represented the citizens of District 5 for 19 years as a member of the State Board of Education. Her passion for children and education was undeniable, and she will be greatly missed. We offer our deepest sympathies and prayers to her loved ones. The flags should be flown at half-staff on the day of her interment Saturday, November 9, 2019 until sunset.
ARIZONA: NOVEMBER 8, 2019 - For the Celebration of Life ceremony for Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Detention Officer Gene Lee
Governor Ducey has ordered that flags at all state buildings be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Friday, Nov. 8, 2019 for the Celebration of Life ceremony for Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Detention Officer Gene Lee who died in the line of duty. Individuals, businesses, and other organizations are encouraged to join in this tribute.
OHIO: NOVEMBER 7 - 12, 2019 - To honor Daytona Police Detective Jorge DelRio
In honor of the life and service of Dayton Police Detective Jorge DelRio, I hereby proclaim, by the authority vested in me as the Governor of the State of Ohio that the United States and the State of Ohio flags shall be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout Montgomery County and at the Ohio Statehouse, Vern Riffe Center, & Rhodes Tower until sunset on November 12th.
NEW YORK: NOVEMBER 5, 2019 - In honor of former Getzville Fire Company Chief and President Irving Isenberg
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today ordered flags on state government buildings to be flown at half-staff on Tuesday, November 5, in honor of former Getzville Fire Company Chief and President Irving Isenberg, who died from an illness resulting from his work at the World Trade Center site following the September 11th terrorist attacks.
"Chief Isenberg dedicated his life to serving his community and fellow New Yorkers and put his own wellbeing at risk in the wake of one of the darkest tragedies in our nation's history," Governor Cuomo said. "His passing is a reminder of the great heroism of our first responders on that day and every day that followed. On behalf of all New Yorkers, I extend our deepest gratitude to Chief Isenberg and direct flags be flown at half-staff to honor his memory." Chief Isenberg served his community for 35 years, including as part of a detachment of ambulances from Western New York that rescued survivors at Ground Zero in the days following the September 11th terrorist attacks. He served the Getzville Fire Company for 29 years including as Chief and President before his retirement. He was a native of Erie County.
ARIZONA: NOVEMBER 5, 2019 - To honor Navajo Police Sergeant Lamar Martin
Governor Ducey has ordered that flags at all state buildings be lowered to half-staff immediately until sunset today Tuesday, November 5, 2019, to honor the life of Navajo Police Sergeant Lamar Martin who died yesterday from a medical event that occurred while he was on duty on October 9, 2019.
Flags will also be lowered on day of interment, which has not yet been set. “Today, Arizona mourns the loss of Sergeant Lamar Martin,” said Governor Ducey. “In addition to dedicating more than 20 years of service to the Navajo Police Department, Sergeant Martin was a military veteran who served in the U.S. Marine Corps and New Mexico Army National Guard. He was committed to the well-being of his community and nation, and put his life on the line to keep others safe. Our sincere condolences go out to Sergeant Martin’s loved ones as well as the entire Navajo Nation and Navajo Police Department. In honor of Sergeant Martin’s life and years of service, I’ve ordered flags at all state buildings be lowered to half-staff.” Individuals, businesses, and other organizations are encouraged to join in this tribute.
ARIZONA: NOVEMBER 4, 2019 - For the interment of Private First Class Antonio Garcia
Governor Ducey has ordered that flags at all state buildings be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Monday, November 4, 2019 for the final interment of Private First Class Antonio Garcia of Peoria, Arizona who died on Sunday, October 20, 2019 during a training exercise in Fort Stewart, Georgia.
NEW JERSEY: NOVEMBER 4, 2019 - To honor U.S. Representative Bill Hughes
Governor Phil Murphy today ordered that the U.S. and New Jersey flags be flown at half-staff at all state buildings and facilities on Monday, November 4, 2019, in recognition of the passing of U.S. Representative Bill Hughes.
"Congressman Bill Hughes represented his South Jersey district for 20 years, but he was nothing less than a New Jersey icon," said Governor Murphy. "He was a public school product and a Rutgers graduate two times over. As a prosecutor in Cape May, he fought to keep residents safe. As a respected Congressman, he fought to protect the Jersey Shore from polluters and the Pinelands from development. As U.S. Ambassador to Panama under President Clinton, he served our nation on the world stage.
“Tammy and I send our condolences to his children and their families, and to all who knew him and called him a friend. Congressman Hughes will continue to inspire future leaders through the work of the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy at Stockton University, perhaps the most fitting tribute to his tremendous legacy."
WISCONSIN: NOVEMBER 4 - 10, 2019 - As a mark of respect for Firefighter Brian Serdynski
Today, Governor Evers issued Executive Order # 57, relating to a proclamation that the flag of the United States and the flag of the State of Wisconsin be flown at half-staff as a mark of respect for Firefighter Brian Serdynski of the Union Grove-Yorkville Fire Department. Please ensure that the flag of the United States and the flag of the State of Wisconsin are flown at half-staff at all state facilities beginning immediately and ending at sunset on November 10, 2019.
MICHIGAN: NOVEMBER 4 - 10, 2019 - To honor former Congressman John Conyers
LANSING, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags within the State Capitol Complex and on all public buildings and grounds throughout the state of Michigan, to be lowered to half-staff from Monday, November 4 through Sunday, November 10, to honor the life and service of former Congressman John Conyers.
“Congressman John Conyers was a lifelong Detroiter who was deeply committed to the city and to those he represented,” Whitmer said. “His impact on our state, whether by spearheading reforms in criminal justice and voting rights in Congress or through his lifetime of civil rights activism, will not be forgotten. I extend my deepest condolences to Congressman Conyers’ family for their loss.” Former Congressman John Conyers was the longest-serving African American in Congress after nearly 53 years in office. He began his public service career as a member of the United States Army. In 1964, he was elected to Congress where he served as chairman of the House Committee on the Judiciary and House Oversight Committee. During his time in Congress, his leadership on civil rights issues, including co-sponsoring the Voting Rights Act and introducing the first bill to designate a holiday in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, made him a national icon. Congressman Conyers also co-founded the Congressional Black Caucus in 1969 to better serve black constituents.
The State of Michigan recognizes the duty, honor and selfless service of former Congressman John Conyers by lowering flags to half-staff. Michigan residents, businesses, schools, local governments and other organizations also are encouraged to display the flag at half-staff. To lower flags to half-staff, flags should be hoisted first to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The process is reversed before the flag is lowered for the day. Flags should be returned to full-staff on Monday, November 11, 2019.
NEW YORK: NOVEMBER 2, 2019 - In honor of World War II U.S. Coast Guard Lieutenant Thomas J.E. Crotty of Buffalo.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today directed flags on all State government buildings to be flown at half-staff on Saturday, November 2, in honor of World War II U.S. Coast Guard Lieutenant Thomas J.E. Crotty of Buffalo. Lieutenant Crotty was reported MIA and later died at the Cabanatuan POW camp in the Philippines in July 1942. His body will be repatriated to the United States and interred at Holy Cross Cemetery in Buffalo on November 2.
"We all owe a debt of gratitude to Lieutenant Crotty for his service and making ultimate sacrifice while defending our country to ensure freedom for future generations of New Yorkers," Governor Cuomo said. "To honor Lt. Crotty and his legacy as he is finally and rightfully returned home to Buffalo, I am directing flags to half-staff on all State buildings and on behalf of all New Yorkers, I express our sincerest appreciation for his service." Lieutenant Crotty played a key role in destroying supplies and facilities to prevent them from falling into enemy hands when the U.S. Navy abandoned its main Naval Base in the Philippines following the Japanese invasion in 1941.
Lieutenant Crotty served with the 16th Naval District-in-Shore Patrol Headquarters aboard the USS Quail in the Philippines. When the Japanese invaded the Island of Corregidor in May 1942, Crotty led a team of Marines and Army personnel firing on Japanese soldiers landing on the island's beach. After the surrender of Corregidor, Lieutenant Crotty and thousands of service members were held at the Cabanatuan POW camp. He was the only Coast Guardsman taken prisoner during World War II. On July 19, 1942, at thirty-years-old, Lieutenant Crotty was killed in action and buried in a mass grave with fellow prisoners.
In the decades since the war, the American Graves Registration Service has exhumed and examined the remains of thousands of fallen soldiers to identify them. Using mitochondrial DNA analysis, Lieutenant Crotty's remains were identified on September 10, 2019, and will be sent home to the United States, arriving at the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station on November 1.
FLORIDA: NOVEMBER 1, 2019 - To honor former U.S. Rep. Lou Frey
Gov. Ron DeSantis ordered flags at half-staff to honor former U.S. Rep. Lou Frey, who died earlier this month at the age of 85. The Governor directed the U.S. and state flags to be flown at half-staff at the Orange County Courthouse in Orlando, Orlando City Hall, Winter Park City Hall, and Orange County Administration Building in Orlando, from sunrise to sunset on Friday.
ILLINOIS: NOVEMBER 1, 2019 - In honor of Vietnam Veterans Recognization Day.
The Department of Central Management Services has received notice from Governor JB Pritzker that all person or entities covered by the Illinois Flag Display Act are to fly the flags at half-staff as a sign of respect for Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day Please lower the United States flags and the State flags at all buildings occupied by your agency's personnel from: Sunrise to Sunset on Friday, November 1, 2019.
