Who can order the American flag lowered?

Answer: No, only the President of the United States or the Governor of your State may order the flag to be half-staffed.

Who can lower the US flag?

According to the Flag Code, only the President of the United States, your state's Governor, and the Mayor of the District of Columbia can order the US flag lowered to half-staff. If everyone were to half-staff the US flag at will, the symbolic value of that honor would be lost.

Who can order the American flag to half-mast?

The president, through a presidential proclamation, a state governor, or the mayor of the District of Columbia can order flags to fly at half-staff.

Is altering the American flag against the law?

Whoever knowingly mutilates, defaces, physically defiles, burns, maintains on the floor or ground, or tramples upon any flag of the United States shall be fined under this title or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both.

What does a lowered American flag mean?

Lowering the flag is a sign of respect, mourning or distress. Most English-speaking countries use the term half-mast, but in the United States, that refers only to flags flown on ships. In the U.S., lowering the flag traditionally signals that the country or a state is in mourning.

Gov. Baker orders American flags to be lowered to half-staff

What does the lowered flag symbolize?

Half-mast (British, Canadian and Australian English) or half-staff (American English) refers to a flag flying below the summit of a ship mast, a pole on land, or a pole on a building. In many countries this is seen as a symbol of respect, mourning, distress, or, in some cases, a salute.

What does a half way flag mean?

It is meant to represent the nation's mourning. There are certain occasions when the flag should be flown at half-mast. A recent occasion when the flag was flown at half-mast on a national level was on February 21st, 2021, to honor the more than 500,000 American lives lost due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Is Flag Code enforceable?

Although it remains part of codified federal law, it is not enforceable due to the Supreme Court of the United States finding it unconstitutional in United States v. Eichman. Additionally, the public law which includes the Flag Code (Pub.

Is The Thin Blue Line flag legal?

Since 2015, several jurisdictions have issued injunctions against the use of Thin Blue Line imagery on police uniforms or in other official capacities by emergency services.

Is The Thin red Line flag disrespectful?

The meaning of the red line flag was certainly not meant to be disrespectful. It's purpose is to honor fallen firefighters and the department, but there has been some controversy. Because it's an altercation of the American flag, some people do not agree with it.

What is the difference between half-staff and half-mast?

The difference between half-staff and half-mast pertains to where the flag flies. The terms are often used interchangeably, but half-staff refers to a flag hanging halfway up on a flag pole, while half-mast pertains to a flag flying halfway up the mast on a ship at sea.

What is the only flag that can be flown above the US flag?

The Christian flag may fly above the US flag only "during church services conducted by naval chaplains at sea, when the church pennant may be flown above the flag during church services for the personnel of the Navy" (Flag Code, Section 7c).

What is the only exception to flying the American flag upside down?

The Flag Code clearly states that the American flag is not to be flown upside down "except as a signal of dire distress in instance of extreme danger to life or property."

Can a governor order the American flag at half-staff?

No, only the President of the United States or the Governor of your State may order the flag to be half-staffed.

Why is the American flag at half-mast today 2021?

Fly the United States Flag at Half-Staff on Sunday, October 3, 2021 in Honor of National Fallen Firefighters Memorial. The United States Congress created the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to lead a nationwide effort to remember America's fallen firefighters.

What is the black & white American flag?

While, a complete black and white flag of the American flag is viewed as a symbol of protest, and to express the rebellion. The black flag can be often found to be used in protests, which may be political, or non-political, but is used as a symbol of protest and rebel against supremacy.

Is Thin Blue Line flag desecration?

The current amended U.S. Flag Code has no penalty provision and is considered advisory flag etiquette. Supporters of the Blue Line flag are not insensitive to the Flag Code's standards. They argue that it's not a desecration of the American flag, because it's a completely different flag.

What does a black flag with a red stripe mean?

The Thin Red Line represents the brave firefighters that risk their lives to protect our homes and families. The deep black background serves as a memorial to all the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice while fighting ravenous fires.

What violates the US Flag Code?

People commonly violate the Flag Code when displaying the Stars and Stripes on apparel, athletic uniforms or bedding. The only exception is made for military personnel, firemen, policemen and members of patriotic organizations who are allowed to wear a flag patch that is customized for their uniform.

Is it illegal to not follow the Flag Code?

“The Flag Code does not prescribe any penalties for non-compliance nor does it include enforcement provisions; rather the Code functions simply as a guide to be voluntarily followed by civilians and civilian groups,” The Congressional Report reads.

Is desecration of the flag illegal?

The U.S. Supreme Court has held that the government cannot prohibit citizens from desecrating the American flag. Congress has repeatedly attempted to outlaw flag burning through legislation and constitutional amendments, but none of these attempts have succeeded.

What does the ball on top of a flagpole represent?

The main purpose of the ball is to hold the flag in place. More specifically, it prevents the flag from sliding off the top of the flagpole. Many flags feature a tube-like section of fabric that runs vertically along the left-hand side of the flag.

What does it mean when the flag is backwards?

Basically, the idea behind the backward American flag on Army uniforms is to make it look as though the flag is flying in the breeze as the person wearing it moves forward. During the Civil War, both mounted cavalry and infantry units would designate a standard bearer, who carried the flag into battle.

What does it mean when the flag is flown upside down?

According to U.S. Flag Code, the flag should never be displayed upside-down “except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property.” Advertisement. Lamarre's upside-down flag above the Trump 2024 flag.