Half Staff / Half Mast: Protocols for Lowering the Flag

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Every year, on the anniversary of 9/11, we remember those who died, it brings to mind the way we honor our fallen heroes. One of the ways we show respect for the deaths of those who have died while in the service of our country is by lowering the US flag to half staff, or half mast. There is, however, a list of protocols associated with this honorarium. The protocols are easy to follow though.

The Tradition Behind the Half Staff

Flying the flag at half staff began centuries ago when nations would lower the flag on the pole by one flag width. This left room for the "invisible flag of death" as a sign of respect toward someone that had died and as a symbol for officially mourning for their death. Today, flags around the world are lowered approximately halfway down the flagpole, though placing the flag from 1/3 to 2/3 of the way up the flagpole is considered acceptable

Half Staff Procedure

The steps required for lowering the US flag begins with first raising the flag to the top of the pole momentarily, then lower it to the halfway point. When taking the US flag down in the evening, it's to be lifted briefly to the top of the pole, then lowered and removed from the pole, folded and stored properly. For flags that cannot be lowered to half staff - for example, home flags permanently affixed to a pole or wall flags - black ribbons may be attached at the top corner above the star field.

Half-Mast or Half Staff?

So what's the difference between half staff and half mast? The Associated Press Style Book states that the differences hinges on where the flagpole is located. The term half mast refers to flags hanging from a ship's mast or flag poles in a naval station. Flags flying at half staff are located elsewhere on dry land.

When Flags should be flown at Half-Staff

In the US, flags are flown at half staff for specific holidays: Peace Officer's Memorial Day (May 15), Memorial Day (last Monday of May), Patriot's Day (September 11), Fire Prevention Week (1st Sunday in October), and Pearl Harbor Day (December 7), or - by Presidential proclamation - on any day following the death of a US public officials and foreign dignitaries.There are other days on the US calendar when the flag is flown at the top of the flag pole, including July 4 and Veteran's Day.

How long Flags Are to Be Lowered

Protocols for the length of time that US flags are allowed to fly at half staff varies with the person being honored and mourned.

For current and former Presidents, flags are lowered for 30 days.For current Vice Presidents, present or retired Chief Justices of the US, and the Speaker of the House, flags are lowered for 10 days.For Associate Justices of the Supreme Court, Cabinet Officers, former Vice Presidents, State governors members of Congress, flags are lowered only on the day that they died.

Other Protocols

State flags can be flown at half staff along with the US flag, either on a separate pole or below the US flag on the same pole. Other national flags remain at fully raised, however. State Governors can call for state flags to be lowered only on the death of current or former state governors or in cases of the death or deaths of military members from that state. Companies cannot use this honorarium to pay tribute to current or former employees who have died. Schools cannot lower US flags to honor the death of former students that died while in military service.

The protocols and etiquette for lowering the US flag to half staff are rather specific. If you don't find the exact circumstances you're looking for regarding lowering the US flag, contact your local American Legion or VFW groups. Also check out these websites.

USA Flag Site: Rules for Display of the American Flag

http://www.usa-flag-site.org/etiquette-display.shtml

Flag and Banner: Flag Etiquette

http://www.flagandbanner.com/fab/flag.asp?cpage=etiquette1

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