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ENTIRE UNITED STATES: OCTOBER 17 - 18

Presidential Proclamation on the Death of Elijah E. Cummings

As a mark of respect for the memory and longstanding public service of Representative Elijah E. Cummings, of Maryland, I hereby order, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions through October 18, 2019. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half‑staff for the same period at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventeenth day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand nineteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fourth.

DONALD J. TRUMP

INDIANA: OCTOBER 17, 2019

Governor Eric J. Holcomb is directing Adjutant General Dale Lyles to order flags to half-staff at all Indiana National Guard facilities to honor former Adjutant General George Buskirk. Flags should be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on the day of his funeral, Thursday, October 17.

COLORADO: OCTOBER 16, 2019

Gov. Polis orders flags lowered to honor former Colorado House Speaker Ruben Valdez DENVER - Gov. Jared Polis today ordered the United States and Colorado flags be lowered to half-staff statewide on all public buildings from sunrise to sunset on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019, to honor former Colorado House Speaker Ruben Valdez, the first Hispanic House Speaker in Colorado. Valdez passed on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2019. Services will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019.

HAWAII: OCTOBER 13 & 18, 2019

At the request of Mayor Michael Victorino, Gov. David Ige has ordered that the United States flag and the Hawai‘i state flag will be flown at half-staff at the State Capitol and upon all state offices and agencies as well as the Hawai‘i National Guard in the State of Hawai‘i on ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019 and on Friday, Oct. 18, 2019 until sunset. These are the dates of the services for former Maui County Council Chairman Danny Mateo, who died on Sept. 24, 2019, at the age of 68. He served as a County Council member for 12 years from 2002 through 2013, eight as Council Chair. He recently retired as County Clerk.

“Danny was known for his tenacity, quick-wittedness and perseverance, and he was well respected by his peers for his leadership ability and compassion for his community. To his family, he was full of humor, loving, yet committed to ensuring that he did his part in making a difference for future generations. On behalf of the citizens of Hawaiʻi, I join Danny’s ‘ohana in bidding him a fond aloha,” said Gov. Ige.

Mayor Victorino added, “I will miss Danny’s great sense of humor, his smile and friendship. He wanted people to be comfortable, and he was passionate about his family, his lovely wife, his children and grandchildren, and the people of Maui County. He was a consummate professional and dedicated public servant. He will be greatly missed.”

ARIZONA: OCTOBER 13, 2019

Governor Ducey has ordered that flags at all state buildings be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Sunday, October 13, 2019 for the final interment of Border Patrol Agent Robert Hotten. On Monday, October 7, 2019, U.S Customs and Border Protection reported that Agent Hotten died in the line of duty. He was a 10-year veteran of U.S Border Patrol. Individuals, businesses, and other organizations are encouraged to join in this tribute.

MICHIGAN: OCTOBER 13, 2019

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags to be lowered to half-staff throughout the state on Sunday, October 13, 2019 to honor the service of Sgt. David Alexander Feriend, which coincides with his funeral.

“Our nation makes a solemn promise to every man and woman in uniform to leave no soldier behind, and that couldn’t be more true than it is today with the return of Sgt. Feriend,” Whitmer said. “After nearly 70 years, we are grateful to finally have him home.”

Sgt. David Alexander Feriend served in the Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 31st Infantry regiment, 7th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army during the Korean War. In 1950, he was listed as missing in action after the Battle of Chosin Reservoir at the age of 23 years old. His remains were found and identified through DNA testing nearly 70 years after he was killed in the battle. Sgt. Feriend’s remains will arrive at the Gerald R. Ford International Airport on Friday, October 11. He will receive full military honors, including an escort to his final resting place from the Patriot Riders and Michigan State Police.

The State of Michigan recognizes the duty, honor and selfless service of Sgt. David Alexander Feriend 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.

NEW YORK: OCTOBER 11, 2019

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today directed flags on state government buildings to be flown at half-staff tomorrow, October 11, in honor of World War II Medal of Honor recipient Francis S. Currey, a Selkirk resident. Currey died on October 8, 2019 at age 94. Currey was awarded the Medal of Honor for actions during the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944 when he knocked out an enemy tank, drove back enemy troops and rescued five American Soldiers who had been pinned down under enemy fire. After the war, Currey, who was born in Loch Sheldrake and raised in Hurleyville, returned to New York and worked at the Albany VA Medical Center from 1950 until 1980. According to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society he was the last living New Yorker to have earned the Medal during World War II and one of only three living World War II Medal of Honor recipients.

"Francis S. Currey was a true American hero who made great personal sacrifices to serve his country during World War II," Governor Cuomo said. "His significant contributions during the Battle of the Bugle and beyond helped to defeat fascism during the war, and he continued to serve his country after returning home to New York through his work with veterans. On behalf of all New Yorkers, I extend our sympathy to his friends and family and express our sincerest gratitude for his service, bravery and accomplishments." Currey was serving as a Private 1st Class in the Army's 30th Infantry Division when the massive German offensive against American troops in the Ardennes Forest of Belgium kicked off in December of 1944.

On Dec. 21, 1944 Currey's unit, 3rd Platoon of Company K of the 120th Infantry Regiment, was defending a bridge over the Warche River in the Belgian town of Malmedy. A German attack overran the position that Currey and five other Soldiers were defending. Currey and the other Americans retreated to a nearby factory under heavy German fire. Currey located a bazooka—an anti-tank weapon—and then ran across the street in full view of the enemy to secure rockets for the weapon. With assistance from another soldier he knocked out the German tank with one shot. Currey then moved to another position and killed or wounded three German Soldiers emerging from an enemy-held building with his automatic rifle. He took the bazooka and moved to a position 50 yards from the enemy-held building, stood erect, and then fired at the building, collapsing a wall.

From this position, Currey observed five American Soldiers trapped by fire from the enemy held building and three German tanks. He moved to an abandoned vehicle, retrieved an armful of anti-tank grenades and launched them at the German tanks using an M-1 rifle. This forced the enemy soldiers to flee. Currey then climbed into an abandoned half-track and fired its .50 caliber machine gun at the German occupied position. He moved again to an abandoned .30 caliber machine gun position and opened fire on the enemy, allowing the trapped Americans to escape. His actions forced the enemy to withdraw, securing the flank of his battalion's position and slowing the German advance for 12 hours. After night fell Currey and the other Americans withdrew. Along with the Medal of Honor, Currey was awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. Belgium awarded him the Order of Leopold, their nation's highest honor. Currey was memorialized with a special G.I. Joe military figure in 1998 and appeared on the cover sheet of a series of Medal of Honor stamps in 2013.

Since 2003 Hurleyville, the town where Currey grew up, has marked Francis S. Currey Day with him as a guest, and former New York Governor Paterson declared July 12, 2009 as Francis Currey Day throughout the state. He will be interred Saturday in South Bethlehem, NY.

ARIZONA: OCTOBER 8, 2019

PHOENIX – Governor Doug Ducey has ordered flags at all state buildings be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset today, October 8, 2019, to honor Border Patrol Agent Robert Hotten.

On Monday, October 7, 2019, U.S Customs and Border Protection reported that Agent Hotten died in the line of duty. He was a 10-year veteran of U.S Border Patrol. “Arizona’s prayers are with the family and loved ones of Agent Robert Hotten and the entire Border Patrol community,” said Governor Ducey. “Agent Hotten served with U.S. Customs and Border Protection for 10 years, working to protect our nation and our communities. In honor of Border Patrol Agent Robert Hotten’s life and service to Arizona and our country, 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.

Regards,

Arizona Department of Administration

SOUTH CAROLINA: OCTOBER 8, 2019

Governor Henry McMaster orders that the flags on all state buildings be lowered to half-staff from sunrise until sunset on Tuesday, October 8, 2019, the day of the funeral service to celebrate the life of Fire Engineer Paul Quattlebaum of the Lexington County Fire Service, who died in the line of duty. Governor McMaster requests that flags over buildings of the political subdivisions of this State similarly be flown at half-staff for this purpose.

MICHIGAN: OCTOBER 8, 2019

LANSING, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags to be lowered to half-staff on Tuesday, October 8, 2019 to honor the service of Army Staff Sgt. Kelly Richards, which will coincide with his military funeral.

“Staff Sgt. Richards embodied everything that makes our state so great, and his passing is a tremendous loss,” Whitmer said. “He was a leader through and through who maintained a commitment to bettering himself and his team to make sure that they were prepared at all times. We are grateful for his service, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time.” A resident of Grayling, Staff Sgt. Richards was currently serving as a health care specialist with the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry at Fort Carson in Colorado. He was deployed to the Middle East under Operation Spartan Shield. Staff Sgt. Richards passed away on Wednesday, September 25 at the age of 32 years old while competing for an expert field medical badge at Camp Casey in Seoul, South Korea. Staff Sgt. Richards was born in Petoskey and raised in Boyne City and Grayling. He joined the army after graduating from Grayling High School in 2005. He loved outdoor activities, including riding his motorcycle, mountain biking, scuba diving, surfing, and roller coasters. Staff Sgt.

Richards is survived by his wife, Rachel, mom and stepdad, Michelle and Andrew, father and stepmother, Todd and Judy, and nine siblings. The State of Michigan recognizes the duty, honor, and selfless service of Staff Sgt. Richards 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 Wednesday, October 9, 2019.

NATIONWIDE: OCTOBER 6, 2019 - NATIONAL FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS MEMORIAL SERVICE

Since 1922, our Nation has observed Fire Prevention Week to promote emergency preparedness and reaffirm our enduring commitment to fire safety. This week, we honor and remember the heroic firefighters and first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice to save and protect our citizens, homes, and communities. We express our gratitude for their service to our country, and we encourage all Americans to do their part to prevent dangerous fires.

In 2017, more than 1.3 million fires killed 3,400 people and injured 14,000 more, while causing an estimated $23 billion in direct property loss. Sadly, the number of fire-related deaths continues to rise, even though the number of fires is falling. All Americans should take the dangers of fires seriously and conduct routine inspections of smoke alarms and plan and practice home fire escapes. Such concerted efforts are crucial to stopping fires and their devastating consequences.

While preventing fires in our homes, we also must take measures to prevent wildfires, such as the catastrophic Woolsey, Camp, and Mendocino Complex wildfires, all of which ravaged communities last year. The Camp fire killed at least 85 people, and the Mendocino Complex wildfire was the largest fire of its kind in California history. Improving the health of America’s forests and rangelands is critical to reducing the frequency and severity of the kind of wildfires that have devastated communities and ecosystems across the Nation. This is why I signed legislation that improves support for the Department of Agriculture and the Department of the Interior’s wildfire suppression operations, as well as the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, which includes robust fire risk reduction measures and important forest management provisions. These bills will empower Federal agencies to actively manage our forests and rangelands and aggressively fight wildfires. Further, I issued an Executive Order to promote active management of America’s forests and Federal lands to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires in better partnership with State, local, and tribal officials.

This week, I urge all Americans to take special precautions to ensure fire safety in their homes and communities to help prevent fire-related tragedies. By staying vigilant, we can all do our part to protect our loved ones, homes, and communities. We recognize those who take such actions, and we pledge to continue our support for the Nation’s firefighters, first responders, and EMS providers who answer the call to serve and risk their lives to safeguard their fellow Americans and our precious land.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Donald J. Trump, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 6 through October 12, 2019, as Fire Prevention Week. On Sunday, October 6, 2019, in accordance with Public Law 107-51, the flag of the United States will be flown at half-staff at all Federal office buildings in honor of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service. I call on all Americans to participate in this observance with appropriate programs and activities and by renewing their efforts to prevent fires and their tragic consequences.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourth day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand nineteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fourth.

DONALD J. TRUMP

KENTUCKY: OCTOBER 5, 2019

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 4, 2019) – Gov. Matt Bevin has directed that flags at all state office buildings be lowered to half-staff on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, in honor of a Kentucky serviceman who was killed in action during World War II, but whose remains were only recently identified.

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) recently announced that Navy Machinist's Mate 1st Class Ulis C. Steely, 25, of Corbin, Kentucky, was officially accounted for on Oct. 15, 2018. On Dec. 7, 1941, Steely was assigned to the battleship USS Oklahoma, which was moored at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft. The USS Oklahoma sustained multiple torpedo hits, which caused it to quickly capsize. The attack on the ship resulted in the deaths of 429 crewmen, including Steely. From December 1941 to June 1944, Navy personnel recovered the remains of the deceased crew, which were subsequently interred in the Halawa and Nu'uanu Cemeteries.

In September 1947, tasked with recovering and identifying fallen U.S. personnel in the Pacific Theater, members of the American Graves Registration Service (AGRS) disinterred the remains of U.S. casualties from the two cemeteries and transferred them to the Central Identification Laboratory at Schofield Barracks. The laboratory staff was only able to confirm the identifications of 35 men from the USS Oklahoma at that time. The AGRS subsequently buried the unidentified remains in 46 plots at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (NMCP), known as the Punchbowl, in Honolulu. In October 1949, a military board classified those who could not be identified as non-recoverable, including Steely. Between June and November 2015, DPAA personnel exhumed the USS Oklahoma Unknowns from the Punchbowl for analysis. To identify Steely's remains, scientists from DPAA used dental and anthropological analysis. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA,) analysis. DPAA is grateful to the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of the Navy for their partnership in this mission.

Of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II, more than 400,000 died during the war. Currently there are 72,674 still unaccounted for from World War II, of which approximately 30,000 are assessed as possibly-recoverable. Steely's name is recorded on the Walls of the Missing at the Punchbowl, along with the others who are missing from WWII. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for. Steely will be buried on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019, at Corinth Cemetery in his hometown of Corbin.

All individuals, businesses, organizations, and government agencies are encouraged to join in this tribute of lowering the flag to honor Steely.

IOWA: OCTOBER 5, 2019

Gov. Kim Reynolds ordered all flags in Iowa to be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Saturday, October 5, 2019 in honor and remembrance of Rev. Al Henderson, a pastor in Fort Dodge who was killed Wednesday night at St. Paul Lutheran Church. Henderson was the chaplain for the Fort Dodge Police Department, Webster County Sheriff’s Department, Iowa State Patrol and Fort Dodge Fire Department. He was the pastor at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Fort Dodge and in Boone.

Flags will be at half-staff on the State Capitol Building and on flag displays in the Capitol Complex. Flags will also be half-staff on all public buildings, grounds and facilities throughout the state. Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flags at half-staff for the same length of time.

MASSACHUSETTS: OCTOBER 5, 2019

Please be advised that Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker has ordered that the United States of America flag and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts flag be lowered to half-staff from sunrise until sunset at all state buildings on Saturday, October 5, 2019, the day of interment, in honor of Lieutenant Colonel Gerard Eric Hill, United States Army Reserve, of Boston, Massachusetts, who died on September 14, 2019 in Suitland, Maryland. Lieutenant Colonel Hill will be laid to rest at Mount Hope Cemetery in Boston, Massachusetts. This gubernatorial order applies to:

1. The main or administration building of each public institution of the Commonwealth, e.g. town and city halls.

2. Other state-owned or state-controlled buildings.

3. All state military installations.

TENNESSEE: OCTOBER 5, 2019

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and Tennessee Department of Veterans Services Commissioner Courtney Rogers recognize the selfless service and sacrifice of U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Jeremy Griffin of Greenbrier. Griffin was killed in action on September 16, 2019 by small arms fire while his unit was engaged in combat operations in Wardak Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 1st Special Forces (Airborne) and stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington. He was 40-years-old at the time of the attack.

“Jeremy was a Special Forces Soldier whose leadership, service and sacrifice will never be forgotten,” said Lee. “We are grieving alongside the Griffin family and extend our deepest condolences and prayers as we pause to recognize the ultimate sacrifice of this Tennessee hero." "We know that Sergeant First Class Griffin will be remembered in the hearts and minds of Tennesseans for his bravery and sacrifice,” said Rogers. “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of this Tennessean who served his country for over 15 years.” Griffin was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart for his service. He will also receive the Fallen Heroes medal from the State of Tennessee. Griffin considered Clarksville home and was a graduate of Northeast High School.

Lee has declared a day of mourning from sunrise to sunset on Saturday, October 5, 2019 in honor of Sergeant First Class Griffin’s ultimate sacrifice. The American and Tennessee Flags are to be lowered that day. Griffin is survived by his wife, Amy, daughter Makayla, son Charles and his parents, Charles and Diana Griffin.

NEVADA: OCTOBER 1, 2019

Carson City, NV September 30, 2019 Today, by executive order, Governor Steve Sisolak ordered the flags of the United States and the State of Nevada to be flown at half-staff at the State Capitol and all State public buildings and grounds from sunrise to sunset on Tuesday, October 1, 2019 in remembrance and honor of the lives lost in the tragic shooting that occurred in Las Vegas on October 1, 2017.​