Half-staff flags improper
To the editor:
While we are all saddened by the death of Bob Janes, I feel compelled to comment on the inappropriate half-staffing the American flag in his honor. Several articles in the paper and on-line reported that Lee County, Sanibel, and other entities ordered the flag to half staff. This is a violation of the letter and intent of the United States Flag Code (United States Code, Title 36, Chapter 10.)
The Code is clear that only the President of the United States, The Governors of states and territories, and the Mayor of the District of Columbia can order that the flag be flown at half staff. That is it! Local mayors, commissioners, etc. have no such authority. The logic behind this provision of the Code is that the entire nation or state is in mourning. Flying the flag at half- staff randomly trivializes the symbolic nature of the action.
There are four recognized days that the flag should be flown at half staff. Peace Officer’s Memorial Day (May 15), Memorial Day (last Monday in May), Patriot’s Day (September 11) and Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (December 7.) The flag should be hoisted to the top of the staff at sunrise, and then lowered to half-staff. At sunset, the flag should be hoisted to full staff, and then lowered and removed. If the flag is flown 24 hours a day (properly illuminated, of course) the flag should be lowered to half-staff at sunrise and hoisted to full staff at sunset. The exception to this is Memorial Day, when the flag is hoisted to full staff at noon.
On many occasions, businesses and other non-governmental organizations will fly the American flag at half staff to honor and employee or member who has died. This is incorrect. The American flag should remain at full staff. It would correct for the organization to half-staff their personal flag if they wish.
Robert E. Dudley
Cape Coral