Question about a flag at half-mast (rather half-staff)

[Claudia1]

I have a flag on a short pole on my front porch pillar. The flag is not one that I can raise or lower. It is in a fixed position.

What is the proper ettiquette when flags should be at half-mast? Should I temporarily take it down if I cannot re-postion it? I don't want to show disrespect. Any experts out there that can help?

Thanks!

 

[monkeyboy]

Originally posted by Claudia1
[B Should I temporarily take it down if I cannot re-postion it?
[/B]

Not sure of the right answer but NEVER take it down

 

[Beth76]

I say leave it where it is. People know that you can't put those flags at half-mast. What will the neighbors think if you took it down all of sudden? I think that would be more disrespectful, purposely taking it down.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Originally posted by Beth76
I say leave it where it is. People know that you can't put those flags at half-mast. What will the neighbors think if you took it down all of sudden? I think that would be more disrespectful, purposely taking it down.

Agreed. I know. i wish we could put ours at half mast too, but we can't. I think people know that those flags can't be moved. Leave it as is.

 

[Pooh67_68]

I have that type of flag and no one has ever complained that it wasn't flying at half staff when other flags were.

Please DON'T take it down.

 

[perdidobay]

From today's paper..........

A world remembers
June 8, 2004

Flag etiquette

WASHINGTON - President Bush has ordered flags at all federal facilities lowered to half-staff - the midpoint on the display pole - until July 5, 30 days after Ronald Reagan's death.

For flags that can't be lowered, such as those on many homes, the American Legion says attaching a black ribbon or streamer to the top of the flag is an acceptable alternative. The ribbon should be the same width as a stripe on the flag and the same length as the flag.

For a wall-mounted flag, three black mourning bows should be attached to the top edge of the flag, one at each corner and one in the center.

 

[Towncrier]

After putting out our flag this morning, we received a call from that is should be at half-mast today. We knew this.but our flag is on a fixed mast and cannot be moved up or down. Although we continued to fly it was it was.........I've been wondering...what should you do in a case such as this? Not fly it or leave it at full mast when it should be at half-mast?

Specifically I have been recommending US AR 840-10, 2-4 Position and Manner of Display, section(4)paragraph h Placed in mourning. "Flags carried by troops will not be placed in mourning unless ordered by the President or the secretary of the Army. When so ordered a streamer of black crepe 7 feet long and 1 foot wide will be to the staff at the center of the streamer immediately below the spearhead of the US flag and the organizational flag. (See fig. 2-9)"

Figure 2-9 shows the streamer tied into a bow.

If black crepe or ribbon is unavailable in that length and with then I've been recommending black ribbon of sufficient length and width so as to be easily seen and understood as a mourning cravat.

Figure 2-9 is on page 16 of the following PDF file:
http://www.usapa.army.mil/pdffiles/r840_10.pdf

 

[Harley Chick]

attaching a black ribbon or streamer to the top of the flag is an acceptable alternative

OMG, I actually knew this!

Also, I think half-mast is on a ship and half-staff is everything else. Can someone confirm?

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Originally posted by Harley Chick
Also, I think half-mast is on a ship and half-staff is everything else. Can someone confirm?

Exactly!

 

[Claudia1]

Wow! I've learned sooooo much today! Thanks!

I DID NOT take it down. Didn't want to and I didn't think that President Reagan would have wanted me to, either.

BTW, thanks to a reply on another flag question, my old flag in is now in the hands of a scout master, ready for the retiring ceremony on Flag Day.

Gonna run out right now to get some black fabric.

Thanks again!

 

[tkd lisa]

Good to know. Right after 9/11, I took ours and thumbtacked it to the pole at the half staff position. Now I know a better way.