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
ENTIRE UNITED STATES: April 19, 2021 through Day of Interment (Unknown) - In Honor of Former Vice President Frederick Mondale
As a sign of respect and in honoring the life of former Vice President Walter Frederick Mondale, all American flags and subordinate flags should now be flown at half-staff. We will post additional information as soon as it is available.
STATEMENT FROM PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN AND FIRST LADY JILL BIDEN ON THE PASSING OF WALTER MONDALE
It’s with great sadness that Jill and I learned of the passing of Vice President Walter Mondale, but great gratitude that we were able to call one of our nation’s most dedicated patriots and public servants a dear friend and mentor.
Jill and I had the opportunity to speak to Fritz and his family over the weekend, to reflect on the years of friendship we shared, and how much we learned from and leaned on each other.
When I arrived in the United States Senate in 1973, Walter Mondale was one of the first people to greet me. Through his work as a Senator, he showed me what was possible. He may have been modest and unassuming in manner, but he was unwavering in his pursuit of progress; instrumental in passing laws like the Fair Housing Act to prevent racial discrimination in housing, Title IX to provide more opportunities for women, and laws to protect our environment. There have been few senators, before or since, who commanded such universal respect.
When President Obama asked me to consider being his Vice President, Fritz was my first call and trusted guide. He not only took my call, he wrote me a memo. It was Walter Mondale who defined the vice presidency as a full partnership, and helped provide a model for my service.
And Joan did the same for Jill, helping her carve out a role for herself as our nation’s Second Lady.
He not only created a path for himself, he helped others do the same. Walter Mondale was the first presidential nominee of either party to select a woman as his running mate, and I know how pleased he was to be able to see Kamala Harris become Vice President.
In accepting the Democratic Party’s nomination for President, he described the values he was taught to live by: “to play by the rules; to tell the truth; to obey the law; to care for others; to love our country; to cherish our faith.”
As a Senator, an Ambassador, a Vice President, and a candidate for President, he lived and spread those values.
Our hearts go out to the Mondale family. And we take some comfort in the fact that he is with Joan and Eleanor now.
ENTIRE UNITED STATES: April 16 - 20, 2021 - Honoring the Victims of Tragedy in Indianapolis
A Proclamation on Honoring the Victims of the Tragedy in Indianapolis, Indiana APRIL 16, 2021
PRESIDENTIAL ACTIONS
As a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated on April 15, 2021, in Indianapolis, Indiana, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order 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 until sunset, April 20, 2021. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time 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 sixteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fifth.
JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.
ENTIRE UNITED STATES: April 7, 2021 - In Honor of Congressman Alcee Hastings
President Biden has order all US flags to half-staff through April 7, 2021 in honor of Congressman Alcee Hastings.
Statement of President Joe Biden on the Passing of Congressman Alcee Hastings I had the privilege of getting to know Alcee Hastings during the years when he served in the House of Representatives and I served in the United States Senate and later as Vice President. I greatly admired him for his singular sense of humor, and for always speaking the truth bluntly and without reservation. A trailblazing lawyer who grew up in the Jim Crow South, Alcee was outspoken because he was passionate about helping our nation live up to its full promise for all Americans. It was a passion he forged as a pioneering civil rights lawyer in the 1960s, fighting tirelessly to desegregate hotels, restaurants, and public spaces in south Florida — a trailblazing spirit to advocate for what is right that guided him throughout his life.
Across his long career of public service, Alcee always stood up to fight for equality, and always showed up for the working people he represented. And even in his final battle with cancer, he simply never gave up.
Jill and I are saddened to learn of his passing. May God bless Alcee Hastings and his family.
MICHIGAN: April 7, 2021 - In Honor of Congressman Alcee Hastings
Gov. Whitmer Lowers Flags for Congressman Alcee Hastings LANSING, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer, in accordance with a proclamation issued by President Biden, has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags within the State Capitol Complex and upon all public buildings and grounds across the state of Michigan to remain lowered to half-staff through Thursday, April 8 to honor and remember the passing of Congressman Alcee Hastings. “Our state is heartbroken about the passing of Congressman Alcee Hastings,” Whitmer said. “Congressman Hastings was a true champion of equality, and our entire nation is grateful for his work advancing civil rights. I extend my deepest condolences to his family and friends.” The State of Michigan remembers Congressman Alcee Hastings 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 Thursday, April 8, 2021.
ENTIRE UNITED STATES: April 2 - 6, 2021 in Honor of United States Capitol Police Officers
A Proclamation on Honoring United States Capitol Police Officers
APRIL 02, 2021
As a sign of respect for the service and sacrifice of the victims of the attack at the United States Capitol on Friday, April 2, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order 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 until sunset, April 6, 2021. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time 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 second day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fifth.
JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.
OKLAHOMA: April 2, 2021 - In Honor of Kyle Jeffrey Davis
Governor Kevin Stitt signed an executive order directing all American and Oklahoma flags on State property to be flown at half-staff tomorrow, April 2, 2021, to honor Kyle Jeffrey Davis who died while serving in the line of duty for the Washington County Sherriff’s Department.
“Kyle’s life and exemplary service to our state will never be forgotten,” said Governor Stitt. “Today our hearts are with Kyle’s wife, Kristin, and his children, Seth and Pearl, as we mourn the loss of a husband, father, fellow Oklahoman, and true public servant.”
Davis was born in Bartlesville. He began his career in law enforcement with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office in 2008 and was promoted to Deputy Sheriff in 2010.
ALASKA : March 30, 2021 - In honor of former Alaska State Representative Katie Hurley
Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy and First Lady Rose Dunleavy issued the following statement on the passing of former Alaska State Representative Katie Hurley, who served in Alaska State Legislature from 1985 to 1987. Prior to serving in the Legislature, Hurley worked as an assistant to Territorial Governor Ernest Gruening for 12 years, the Chief Clerk to the Constitutional Convention, Secretary of the Territorial Senate, and Secretary of the State Senate.
“Katie Hurley was a pioneer who impacted countless lives in her commitment to Alaska’s public affairs. Her dedicated contributions during Alaska’s formative Territorial and Statehood years created history. From the first day that Alaska became a state, Katie was at the forefront of devoted public service. We offer our deepest sympathies to Katie Hurley’s family and friends as they honor her memory.” At the request of the Hurley family, Governor Dunleavy has ordered that U.S. flags and Alaska state flags fly at half-staff on Tuesday, March 30, 2021 in honor of what would have been Representative Hurley’s 100th birthday.
FLORIDA: March 24, 2021 - In honor of Officer Kevin Valencia
Governor DeSantis has ordered flags to half-staff at the Orange County Courthouse in Orlando, the City Hall of Orlando, and the State Capitol in Tallahassee from sunrise to sunset on Wednesday, March 24, 2021 in honor of Officer Kevin Valencia.
ENTIRE UNITED STATES: March 23 - 27, 2021
A PROCLAMATION HONORING THE VICTIMS OF THE TRAGEDY IN BOULDER, COLORADO
As a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated on March 22, 2021, in Boulder, Colorado, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order 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 until sunset, March 27, 2021. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time 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 twenty-third day of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fifth.
JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.
ENTIRE UNITED STATES: March 18 - 22, 2021
A Proclamation on Honoring the Victims of the Tragedy in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area
As a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated on March 16, 2021, in the Atlanta Metropolitan area, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order 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 until sunset, March 22, 2021. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time 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 eighteenth day of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fifth.
JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.
VERMONT: March 19, 2021 - One-year anniversary of Vermont’s first confirmed fatalities to COVID-19
Friday, March 19, 2021 marks the one-year anniversary of Vermont’s first confirmed fatalities to COVID-19. In the year since, we’ve lost over 215 of our fellow Vermonters and over 535,000 fellow Americans. These are not just numbers. Each and every one represents a human being, with families who loved them and friends and colleagues who cared about them. Each of them, in their own way, made their mark on those around them and in their communities. While the commitment and dedication of all Vermonters and our collective hard work has kept fatalities lower than any state in the nation, we all know how tightly knit our communities are, and how profoundly a single loss can impact our cities, towns and villages. With a vaccination strategy that has prioritized saving lives, I believe we are at the turning point for such losses, and more hopeful days lie ahead.
On the 19th of every month since our first deaths, I have ordered flags to fly at half-staff in memory of the Vermonters we have lost to this pandemic, and to honor their lives and the loved ones they left behind. For this solemn anniversary, but with hope and optimism for the road ahead, by the authority vested in me as Governor, I hereby once again direct the flags of the United States of America and the State of Vermont to be flown at half-staff at the State House and at all state facilities and grounds this Friday, March 19, from sunrise (6:54 a.m.) to sunset (7:01 p.m.) and request that all Vermonters who proudly fly the flags of our state and nation to do the same. Be it further requested, that all municipalities, courthouses, places of worship and others capable, ring their bells 14 times, representing the Vermonters lost in all 14 counties, from 7:00 to 7:01 p.m., as the sun sets and during the final minute flags are flown at half-staff.
Given under my hand and the Great Seal of the State of Vermont on this 17th day of March, A.D. 2021. /s/
PHILIP B. SCOTT Governor
PENNSYLVANIA: March 16, 2021 - To honor the victims of COVID-19
Governor Tom Wolf ordered commonwealth flags on all commonwealth facilities, public buildings and grounds fly at half-staff until further notice to honor the victims of the 2019 novel coronavirus pandemic. “Too many Pennsylvanians have lost their lives to COVID-19, and, unfortunately, many more will die,” said Gov. Wolf. “Already we have lost friends, parents, grandparents, and siblings. We have lost first responders. We have lost community members. Each of these Pennsylvanians is irreplaceable. Each deserves to be honored individually for their contributions to our commonwealth, but this cruel disease will not give us a respite to mourn. “This virus prevents us from honoring the dead at traditional gatherings. We cannot have funerals, wakes, or sit shiva. I hope this flag lowering provides some solace to the grieving families and friends. And, I hope it serves as a reminder of the reason for the sacrifices Pennsylvanians are making to help their community survive this crisis.” Commonwealth flags should be lowered to half-staff until a date to be announced after the pandemic passes.
All Pennsylvanians are invited to participate in this tribute.
