Why are flags still at half mast?

[Pixiedust34]

I know they were put at half mast when President Ford died, but his funeral is over and the flags are still at half mast at many places. Are flags kept at half mast for a certain amount of time following the death of a president?

 

[ZachnElli]

Yes, for 30 days. I don't know what day they start counting from, day of the funeral?

 

[Pixiedust34]

Yes, for 30 days. I don't know what day they start counting from, day of the funeral?

Thanks! I didn't know that there was a 30 day half mast observation.

 

[beagle744]

Bush directed flags fly at half mast for 30 days from the day of Ford's death.

 

[Pooh67_68]

http://www.gettysburgflag.com/FlyFlagHalfMast.php

 

[Aprille]

From USHistory.org on Flag Etiquette:

All Americans are invited to half-staff their flags in honor and tribute to the memory of President Ford, from December 26, 2006, through January 24, 2007.

 

[Luv'sTink]

Uh Oh....I better tell my parents, oops!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Half staff

Half-mast refers to the position of a sail on a boat (or something like that).

 

[kami2199]

I just had a conversation about this last night when we went out with friends. One guy there had just returned from Iraq and he said he will stop at business's etc. and tell them their flag needs to be lowered if they have already put it back. He's really funny when telling the stories. He said most people say they are sorry and fix it. This kid isn't rude about it or anything, just very proud of his country and the flag.

 

[Pop Daddy]

better keep them that way in case someone else dies

 

[azgal81]

I was wondering the same thing and didn't realize it was 30 days either.

 

[Buckalew11]

I just had a conversation about this last night when we went out with friends. One guy there had just returned from Iraq and he said he will stop at business's etc. and tell them their flag needs to be lowered if they have already put it back. He's really funny when telling the stories. He said most people say they are sorry and fix it. This kid isn't rude about it or anything, just very proud of his country and the flag.

I have a military friend like that also. He stopped at a business that had 3 flags and had the American flag half staff and the other flags all the way up. He informed them that no other flag is to fly higher than our country's flag. He also did so in a nice way.

 

[lesroi]

Could someone please stop by my neighbor's house and tell them that in addition to half-staff, they need to LIGHT THE FLAG AT NIGHT if they are not going to take it down!?!?!

I have mentioned it to no avail and it's driving me crazy! They can light their landscape but not their flag?

Tracy

 

[Pixiedust34]

Half staff

Half-mast refers to the position of a sail on a boat (or something like that).

Thanks--you're right! My mistake. Sorry.

 

[LuvN~Travel]

We were told at the post office to keep them at half mast until the 25th. Hope that helps.
Kim

 

[momrek06]

My family all spent our Christmas holidays in London and when we headed out for the day on the 26th (after reading online that President Ford had passed) we saw ALLLL OF THE FLAGS all over London at half mast. We all wondered if it could be for President Ford...???

Well as soon as we got to our destination (I think it was the London Eye) we asked a Police Officer and he did confirm to us that all the flags in London were at half mast for President Ford from the USA!!

Wow, we just thought that was wicked cool. KUDOS to London for thinking of our President Ford. And we were in London until Jan 4th and they were STILL at half mast when we left for home.