American flag flown at half staff?

[04rnr]

Whats your thoughts on the American flag being flown at half staff, for say, a policeman being murdered on duty ? or a firefighter dieing fighting a fire ?

IMHO, I dont think it should be at half staff for the examples above.

Heres just a quick link I found: USFlag.org: A website dedicated to the Flag of the United States of America - Flag Etiquette

Let me say this, that I have upmost respect, for those in our military, and our police/fire personel, they do a job that most wont.

 

[SV_Dude]

Being military for over 9 years, I don't see anything wrong with that. I think that anyone who serves our country (overseas or state side) and dies in the line of duty deserves the same respect. The police force has a funeral ceremony that is identical to the military, and I am not sure if the fire departments do but I wouldn't be surprised if they did.

Just my .02

 

[combatmedic]

Being military myself, purple heart and all, I agree with SV.

 

[BucknutBob]

Since those examples are usually local/regional anyway, I think it's a nice way for communities to pay their respects to those close to them--shows the families of the fallen that their sacrifice didn't go unnoticed. I do agree, though, that oftentimes we need to be reminded of proper flag etiquette and respect for it--too often people display it wrong, or use it improperly for personal expression.

 

[UteRunner]

I agree with Bucknut. I wish folks would take more time to learn about our flag and all the meanings behind it. I think a deeper understanding would (hopefully) foster greater appreciation and respect for our flag. Just my .02

 

[combatmedic]

I was overseas when Ronald Reagan died, we flew our flags at half-mast for a week. He was my favorite president, I was honored to do so.

 

[SV_Dude]

I think that those who serve our country with the flag on their shoulder deserve more respect with the U.S. Flag than the crooked politicians who abuse their positions. Maybe I'm just bitter with politicians but I think that pretty much all of them hold their position in office for their own benefits more than the benefits of the american people.

 

[1engineer]

I agree with Bucknut. I wish folks would take more time to learn about our flag and all the meanings behind it. I think a deeper understanding would (hopefully) foster greater appreciation and respect for our flag. Just my .02

I do too. Really though I am just glad some people are proud enough to fly our flag regardless if they follow the rules. Nowadays with all the religous issues and separation of church/state and ethnic squabbles, not to mention immigration discussions it is good to see the flag being flown.

 

[04rnr]

Since those examples are usually local/regional anyway, I think it's a nice way for communities to pay their respects to those close to them--shows the families of the fallen that their sacrifice didn't go unnoticed. I do agree, though, that oftentimes we need to be reminded of proper flag etiquette and respect for it--too often people display it wrong, or use it improperly for personal expression.

agreed.

 

[04rnr]

I think that those who serve our country with the flag on their shoulder deserve more respect with the U.S. Flag than the crooked politicians who abuse their positions. Maybe I'm just bitter with politicians but I think that pretty much all of them hold their position in office for their own benefits more than the benefits of the american people.

AMEN.. :trophy:

I think any of our military or police/firefighters deserve much more respect than ANY celebrities or politicans, I remember seeing when whitney houston died, some people wanted the flag to be flown at half staff :wtf:

 

[ant-ny]

I have a 22' flagpole and live in Ohio. I will fly my flag at half staff when an Ohio Serviceman (woman), Police Officer, or Firefighter die in the line of duty. I will also lower it during significant dates such as Memorial Day, Dec. 7, death of a President, etc. Other than that, it is at full staff and lighted at night. I agree with above. I am glad to see it flown regardless and would like to see more of them out.

 

[Mytoy4]

It's terribly sad what happened to Celena Hollis. My thoughts and prayers are with her and her family.

 

[Atlanta_man]

If it is your flag then do as you please.
It irks me when some State Governors order their state's U.S. flags to half staff to honor certain politicians or show biz folk. But I suppose he is the boss of some things.

 

[RandyDaytona]

I remember right after 9/11 when everyone was buying up American flags for display - from the little ones that go on vehicles to the full-size flags for home display. I also remember that you could get them just about anywhere.

I have a vivid memory of some lady unrolling a flag on the floor at Home Depot to see how big it was. Then additional memories of small flags in gutters or on roadsides months later when people felt it was no longer "in vogue" to display them or because they became too faded or worn out.

My point is this: while knowing when to fly a flag at half-mast is certainly important, that's a decision that will likely not be made by most of us. So if the governor of NJ is ignorant enough to fly a flag at half-mast for Whitney Houston, that's on him. He should know better. But personally, I'd be happy if people simply knew enough to not let the flag touch the ground, how to fold it, care for it, and basic stuff like that.

Whats your thoughts on the American flag being flown at half staff, for say, a policeman being murdered on duty ? or a firefighter dieing fighting a fire ?

IMHO, I dont think it should be at half staff for the examples above.

In the link you posted, it states that it can be flown that way for a "government official," which firefighters and police officers can arguably be seen as, depending on the jurisdiction and who's defining them as such. That's probably why the practice started. In that vein - and because it's often flown at half-mast for politicians - any public servant could be seen as such (though I really wouldn't go so far as to say that a politician - these days - is serving anyone but themselves. Just my opinion).

 

[04rnr]

I have a vivid memory of some lady unrolling a flag on the floor at Home Depot to see how big it was.
I would have done something, and probley be in jail for it.

In the link you posted, it states that it can be flown that way for a "government official," which firefighters and police officers can arguably be seen as, depending on the jurisdiction and who's defining them as such. That's probably why the practice started. In that vein - and because it's often flown at half-mast for politicians - any public servant could be seen as such (though I really wouldn't go so far as to say that a politician - these days - is serving anyone but themselves. Just my opinion).

with that, the cleaning crew of court houses, the white house, the fire station etc, could be seen as a public servant.

 

[RandyDaytona]

with that, the cleaning crew of court houses, the white house, the fire station etc, could be seen as a public servant.

I'm actually referring to someone who's service to the public is more direct...and who also might meet the definition of "government official" per the link.

That said, though, I've seen government facilities fly a flag at half-mast for an employee (not law enforcement or anything related) when that person may have served for an extended period of time, contributed significantly to the agency's mission, been a big impact on the agency, etc.

A lot of it is in the interpretation, but I think the flying of a flag at half-mast - when done by a public or government facility - should be for a public employee (current or former) of some kind or someone who may have served that organization or a related one. That includes military members.

I don't think a rock star, sports figure, or celebrity qualifies. Not based on those endeavors, alone, anyway.

 

[zstampe]

Whats your thoughts on the American flag being flown at half staff, for say, a policeman being murdered on duty ? or a firefighter dieing fighting a fire ?

IMHO, I dont think it should be at half staff for the examples above.

Heres just a quick link I found: USFlag.org: A website dedicated to the Flag of the United States of America - Flag Etiquette

Let me say this, that I have upmost respect, for those in our military, and our police/fire personel, they do a job that most wont.

Then I say **** you! If I gave my life in the line of duty it would be an honor to have the flag flown at half stuff. If I gave my life it would be in the pursuit to save another. I lost a lot of respect for anyone who agrees with the op in not flying the flag for a public servant like I am. It's the least we can do for someone who makes the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

Here are 2 pictures of a fellow firefighter we lost 2 years ago, I hope they don't offend you too much. He left 2 little kids and a wife behind.

 

[ant-ny]

^^^^guys like this are the TRUE American heroes that are often forgotten about or cast aside. my condolences, Zstampe.

 

[04rnr]

Then I say **** you! If I gave my life in the line of duty it would be an honor to have the flag flown at half stuff. If I gave my life it would be in the pursuit to save another. I lost a lot of respect for anyone who agrees with the op in not flying the flag for a public servant like I am. It's the least we can do for someone who makes the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

Here are 2 pictures of a fellow firefighter we lost 2 years ago, I hope they don't offend you too much. He left 2 little kids and a wife behind.

by that thinking, our flags should be flown at half staff, EVERY SINGLE day, there are our military members dieing EVERYDAY, police/firefighters that die in the line of duty EVERY single day.

And you have the right, to say "F" you, due to the fact, that I protected YOUR right, YOUR freedoms to do so, You are welcome :flipoff:

 

[zstampe]

by that thinking, our flags should be flown at half staff, EVERY SINGLE day, there are our military members dieing EVERYDAY, police/firefighters that die in the line of duty EVERY single day.

And you have the right, to say "F" you, due to the fact, that I protected YOUR right, YOUR freedoms to do so, You are welcome :flipoff:

I didn't say thank you for anything actually. What should I be thanking you for? If you served in the military then that's fantastic, thank you. But you CHOSE to be in the military just as I CHOSE to be a firefighter and protect lives. So why should one be honored and the other not be?

Your profile says you work in sales correct? Im not knocking your job but until you walk a mile in my shoes, or a police officers shoes etc you can't dictate when or when not to fly the flag in honor of one of my fallen brother or sisters deaths. Every morning before work I kiss my wife and daughter goodbye not knowing if I'll return home the next morning after a 24 hour shift. And here you sit in your air conditioned office and say "I'm not ok with flying a flag in honor of a fire fighters death..."