In the US, for what reasons is the flag flown at half mast and for how long is it so flown?

lanfranco

In the U.S., the flag may be flown at half-staff at the orders of the President, usually as a result of the death of a significant government figure, but special exceptions can be made. The period varies, as the site below indicates, but the flag is generally flown at half-staff for 30 days after the death of a current or former president. The Governor of a given state may order flags in that state to be flown at half-staff to mark a death or event that is particularly locally significant, but other states will not necessarily follow suit. On Memorial Day, flags will be flown at half-staff for part of the day: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Half_staff#United_States Jan 01 07, 5:48 PM

star_gazer

I remember earlier when W. Bush was President the flag seemed to always fly at half-staff, I was never quite sure why, I assumed it had something to do with the war. Then things, flag wise, improved. Now with the passing of Jerry Ford I was reminded of all that half-staff flying and began to rewonder, although at least least this time I knew the reason why. Thanks for that site lanfranco. Jan 01 07, 6:22 PM