States have the say on half-staff for their fallen

[CommunityEditor]

More than half of state governors lower the American flag to honor service members killed overseas.

A 50-state check indicates that 28 governors automatically lower flags when service members from their
state are killed, and 22 governors do not. Some lower flags statewide, others only at certain facilities or localities.

States that don't lower the American flag often honor fallen troops in other ways. New Mexico, for example, lowers its state flag. According to spokeswoman Jane Jankowski, Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels has
attended funerals for all guardsmen killed in the Middle East and has penned notes to fallen service members' families. He also visited troops last year in Iraq and Afghanistan. Indiana, however, does not lower the flag for those from the state killed in action.

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Should each state lower their flag when a service member is killed from their state? Should it be a national policy or are their different ways to honor these service members? What would you recommend?

[joker528]

In New York state, the Governor's office has ordered the flag to fly at half-staff on numerous occassions. One of the latest that I recall is of the death of a New York State Trooper who was killed in the Line Of Duty Death. This tropper was not a member of any military unit. What is your opinion to this. Myself, I feel that this law will be abused by the various State Governor's offices.

Every individual in the United States has an obligation to fly the flag at half-mast until democracy is restored.

[westrajc]

The following post, in a slightly different form, was originally published as a commentary on Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm's policy of ordering flags lowered to half staff for each MI service member that lost their life. You can view the original Biting Poli "Ticks" blog entry here:

Veterans and Flag Deserve Respect, Governor Granholm Doesn't

As a Veteran who has lost friends in war, I am always saddened by the death of a fellow soldier, but gladdened when I hear that their life and service was one of honor. We should respect all those who make the "ultimate sacrifice" for our freedom.

Our Congress on the other hand deserves no such respect. Their new bill (H.R. 692), introduced by Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich and co-sponsored by Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin, D-Mich, ordering Federal agencies to have their flags lowered to half staff upon the order of a state governor is purely political and ill-conceived. Not only are their motives selfish, the law itself is impractical and has the potential to generate further anxiety and disrespect for the flag.

Before writing this i wondered how many soldiers from my own state of Michigan had died for their country? Here are some answers:

During the Civil War - 90,747 Michigan soldiers gave their life to preserve the Republic.

In WWI - 14,000 Men of the combined Michigan and Wisconsin 32 Division never made it home.

WWII - Another 19,179 Soldiers, Sailors, Airman and Marines joined the ranks of those who died defending freedom from dictators, fascists and "false gods."

Korean War - Our first open war against Communism required the lives of 1,242 Michigan soldiers.

Vietnam - The War "so many" would like to forget, claimed another 1,844 of our own.

If we had flown the flag at half staff for each of these brave men and women, our flag would have been at half staff during the entire duration of each war we have fought. Although we grieve for our dead, it is not acceptable to sacrifice our fighting spirit on the altar of political correctness/pandering.

Beyond the political implications, this misguided law is also impossible to implement fairly. Who is responsible for informing every person flying the flag that it should be flown at half staff on a particular day? Unlike the deaths of Presidents, Vice Presidents and other National Figures, the death of a single soldier will sometimes go unnoticed in the news. Under the new law and governor's directive, how will it make the survivors of these soldiers feel to see only some flags dipped in remembrance for their loved ones?

President Bush should veto this flawed bill and the Democrats in Congress should cease the attempt to politicize and divide us in our Nations time of struggle. If they are truly concerned about honoring our war heroes and the flag, they should ensure each veteran who dies in service to their country receives a proper burial and provide a "Gold Star Flag" to each soldier's family. They should also make flag etiquette and the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance (including "under God") a mandatory part of each Michigan children's school day!

Our enemies are watching! If you get a chance, check out the latest Military Talk Show at www.frontlinesoffreedom.com When you visit, make sure and sign the guest book!

[ringjamesa]

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Every individual in the United States has an obligation to fly the flag at half-mast until democracy is restored.

Well that makes no sense. How do you restore something that never was? Our founding fathers knew that a democracy wouldn't be very logistically feasibile and would ignore the wishes of the minority. That is why the U.S. is and always has been a REPUBLIC not a democracy.

[pcsenn]

Our beloved flag is not supposed to be a flippant sign of the times. It is supposed to fly high in honor of the freedoms that these brave men and women have died for. According to protocol of years ago, the only times that a US flag was lowered was when a US President, or other high ranking dignitary died. More specifically, it was a sign of national mourning. To reduce our flag to the flippant use each time a soldier gives his/her life for our country, reduces the significance of it being lowered to half mast when a national tragedy takes place. It further demeans the soldiers and their families by stating that our whole state mourns the fallen soldiers loss, when in fact, most people are not even aware that another soldier has fallen. The soldiers are not high ranking, but deserve proper honors. It is not proper to lower the US flag on their behalf. It is much more fitting, if we want to honor their unrelenting faithful service to that flag, to fly it high for their families. The flag is the symbol of our country that flies because of these brave men and women, and their sacrifices. If the governors of a state want to lower their state flag in honor of these men and women, I see no problem with that. But even at that, unless the general public in that state know that a member of the military has fallen, the lowering of that state flag has little or no significance to most of those people that see it flying at half mast.

Section 7m of the Flag Code reads:

"The flag, when flown at half-staff, should be first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The flag should be again raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day. On Memorial Day the flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon only, then raised to the top of the staff. By order of the President, the flag shall be flown at half-staff upon the death of principal figures of the United States Government and the Governor of a State, territory, or possession, as a mark of respect to their memory. In the event of the death of other officials or foreign dignitaries, the flag is to be displayed at half-staff according to Presidential instructions or orders, or in accordance with recognized customs or practices not inconsistent with law. In the event of the death of a present or former official of the government of any State, territory, or possession of the United States, the Governor of that State, territory, or possession may proclaim that the National flag shall be flown at half-staff. The flag shall be flown at half-staff 30 days from the death of the President or a former President; 10 days from the day of death of the Vice President, the Chief Justice or a retired Chief Justice of the United States, or the Speaker of the House of Representatives; from the day of death until interment of an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, a Secretary of an executive or military department, a former Vice President, or the Governor of a State, territory, or possession; and on the day of death and the following day for a Member of Congress. The flag shall be flown at half-staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day, unless that day is also Armed Forces Day."

The proper thing, in my opinion, is that the family be honored with reverence in their time of loss. The best way for this to happen, is to share personally with them in that loss. Flying a flag may have some meaning to them, but sharing a personal note, either in person or in writing, will mean so much more to them. When I leave this life, please pay more respect for my family, my country and my Lord than you pay to me. I will already be getting my rewards.

Sincerely submitted,
Phillip Senn
Troy, TN