DCA flags at half mast

[Disneylovers2000]

I am always curious as to why a flag is at half mast. I noticed today while watching the Hojo's webcam that the flags in Condor Flats are at half mast. . Anyone know why??

 

[bumbershoot]

I just googled "half mast flags" and got:

A Presidential proclamation has been issued to fly the flag at half staff until sunset on August 10, 2012 in honor of the victims of the Oak Creek, WI shootings.

Not sure if Disney follows that sort of thing, but they had them at half mast following Aurora, CO, so I imagine it's b/c of that.

 

[MyYearWithTheMouse]

I just googled "half mast flags" and got:




Not sure if Disney follows that sort of thing, but they had them at half mast following Aurora, CO, so I imagine it's b/c of that.

Yes, Disney always follows these proclamations and often lowers their flags for other deaths and tragedies as well. Not many people know it, but Disney takes their flag respect and etiquette very seriously. The flag retreat ceremony at Disneyland park can be very moving--they invite all veterans and active-duty military to come forward and be recognized. Last year's 10th anniversary of 9/11 was very beautiful--people were lined up all the way back to the castle to see it, there was a park-wide moment of silence observed, and they invited the First Division Marine Band to play. I taped the event here. If you have a few moments around sunset, I really do encourage everyone to watch the flag ceremony in Town Square. It's a nice tradition that many people don't know about.

(all of that said, I'm not sure if they do a flag ceremony at DCA--never checked, but I will now!)

 

[Disney Dreams]

They are currently at half-mast due to the Sikh temple shooting in Wisconsin earlier this week.

They were also at half-mast I'm-not-sure-how-long-ag-now for the movie theatre attack in Aurora, Colorado but that is not the reason for it now.

Both cases follow a Presidential Proclamation.

- Dreams

 

[Disneylovers2000]

Thank you all so much for the information! Much appreciated

 

[Mitzicat]

Yes, Disney always follows these proclamations and often lowers their flags for other deaths and tragedies as well. Not many people know it, but Disney takes their flag respect and etiquette very seriously. The flag retreat ceremony at Disneyland park can be very moving--they invite all veterans and active-duty military to come forward and be recognized. Last year's 10th anniversary of 9/11 was very beautiful--people were lined up all the way back to the castle to see it, there was a park-wide moment of silence observed, and they invited the First Division Marine Band to play. I taped the event here. If you have a few moments around sunset, I really do encourage everyone to watch the flag ceremony in Town Square. It's a nice tradition that many people don't know about.

(all of that said, I'm not sure if they do a flag ceremony at DCA--never checked, but I will now!)

I have seen the flag retreat ceremony at both DL and MK and brought me to tears each time. Just reading your post gave me the chills! I too recommend everyone see it at least once. I think it last about 15 mins...and worth every minute.

 

[Jkpark]

We were at DL late September 2001 and watched them raise the flag back up following 9/11. Still get chills thinking of that. It was also our first trip to DCA, first ride on Soarin' - the place cheered like crazy for the fighter jets and Navy fleet. those memories come back every time on the ride, too.

 

[Disneylovers2000]

They are currently at half-mast due to the Sikh temple shooting in Wisconsin earlier this week.

They were also at half-mast I'm-not-sure-how-long-ag-now for the movie theatre attack in Aurora, Colorado but that is not the reason for it now.

Both cases follow a Presidential Proclamation.

- Dreams

So does a Presidential Proclamation mean that President Obama gives direction as to when this is to be done?? In Canada, our Prime Minister does not do this. I know there was a lot of controversy about this in our country when troops were being killed in Afghanistan, but nothing ever really came of it. I find it interesting that your President proclaims this, I think it is very appropriate.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

So does a Presidential Proclamation mean that President Obama gives direction as to when this is to be done?? In Canada, our Prime Minister does not do this. I know there was a lot of controversy about this in our country when troops were being killed in Afghanistan, but nothing ever really came of it. I find it interesting that your President proclaims this, I think it is very appropriate.

Honoring the Victims of the Tragedy in Oak Creek, Wisconsin
A PROCLAMATION


As a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated on August 5, 2012, in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, 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, August 10, 2012. 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 sixth day of August, in the year of our Lord two thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-seventh.

BARACK OBAMA


Yes, the president is one who makes proclamations to fly the flags at half-staff. Only the President and State Governors can make such a proclamation.

 

[Disneylovers2000]

Honoring the Victims of the Tragedy in Oak Creek, Wisconsin
A PROCLAMATION


As a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated on August 5, 2012, in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, 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, August 10, 2012. 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 sixth day of August, in the year of our Lord two thousand twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-seventh.

BARACK OBAMA


Yes, the president is one who makes proclamations to fly the flags at half-staff. Only the President and State Governors can make such a proclomation.

Neat!! Thank you so much for sharing that! I find it so interesting!!

 

[heather_sue_98]

Yeah, saying the pledge of allegiance at Disneyland during the Flag Retreat was really one of my highlights of the last trip. Actually, probably ever.

 

[rmgreenesq]

So does a Presidential Proclamation mean that President Obama gives direction as to when this is to be done?? In Canada, our Prime Minister does not do this. I know there was a lot of controversy about this in our country when troops were being killed in Afghanistan, but nothing ever really came of it. I find it interesting that your President proclaims this, I think it is very appropriate.

Disneylovers2000:

I think you are overstating the power of the President/State Governor. The President/Governor has the power to order the flags to be lowered on government buildings within their jurisdiction and ships registered in the US.

Disney is not obligated to lower its flags because the President or Governor orders it. But they respect the government's wishes and lower their flags. That's one of the things I like about Disney.

I bring this up because when I was much younger, I worked at Knott's Berry Farm, a theme park in Southern California just down the road from Disneyland. One of my duties was to raise and lower the flag at the train station.

During a time of national mourning (the loss of the Space Shuttle Challenger), I asked my supervisor if he wished me to half-staff the flag at the train station. He called his supervisor. The response was no. Fly the flag at full staff. The rationale given to me was that they did not want the guests to be reminded of the tragedy while in the park.

While I understand Knott's decision, I like Disney's response better. It is dignified, respectful, and unafraid of the outside world's intrusion on the happiest place on earth.

Rick

P.S. As the head of the state, I think such a proclamation in Canada would come from the Queen via her Governor General or Lieutenant Governor General and not the Prime Minister.

 

[Rainforest_Elf]

Sort of a side question to this. Our first day in the parks is this tuesday, September 11th. I've read somewhere on these boards, or maybe even in a guide book, that there is either a flag raising, or lowering, ceremony in the parks? Is this true every day? I would like to see that on 9/11, if possible.

 

[Malcon10t]

Flag retreat is done daily. Check the daily guide for exact time, should be around 445p.

 

[Showpony]

Love the Flag Retreat Ceremony! We try to see it each day we're in the Park. It always gives me chills. On another vein, if the flags are at half mast now, it's probably in memory of the CHP officer who lost his life earlier this past week.

 

[sirvin12]

I'm totally going to do this. I think it will be great for my kids to see.

Shannon

 

[TagsMissy]

Disneylovers2000:


P.S. As the head of the state, I think such a proclamation in Canada would come from the Queen via her Governor General or Lieutenant Governor General and not the Prime Minister.

It's actually the PM not GG. We are a sovereign nation, the Queen does not tell us when we should or should not lower our flag.

http://www.pch.gc.ca/eng/1329153045577/1329153291582

22. Half-Masting Notice

Upon the occurrence of an event provided for in Sections 1 to 11 or upon the approval of the Prime Minister pursuant to Section 15 or 16, the Department of Canadian Heritage will send a notice to all relevant authorities instructing them to Half-mast the Flag. The notice will stipulate the reason, geographical extent and duration of the Half-masting. A brief biography must also accompany the notice when Half-masting is carried out upon the death of a person.

 

[HeyItsNickCA]

Love the Flag Retreat Ceremony! We try to see it each day we're in the Park. It always gives me chills. On another vein, if the flags are at half mast now, it's probably in memory of the CHP officer who lost his life earlier this past week.

Does Disney usually lower flags when a officer dies? It's really neat that they do that if they in fact do it every-time a police officer dies (I'm assuming they only do it if it is an officer who died in the State of California?)

 

[Malcon10t]

Does Disney usually lower flags when a officer dies? It's really neat that they do that if they in fact do it every-time a police officer dies (I'm assuming they only do it if it is an officer who died in the State of California?)

The Gov. of California usually sets when state buildings will lower flags (which he did when Officer Youngstrom was murdered). Disney usually follows suit. They have also lowered the flags when well known Disney employees have passed.

 

[rmgreenesq]

It's actually the PM not GG. We are a sovereign nation, the Queen does not tell us when we should or should not lower our flag.

Thanks for the link!

Rick