Why is the flag at half-staff - Archive

Archive of past notices and reasons for the half-staff flag on the Fairhaven Veterans Flagpole.

Archive of past notices and reasons for the half-staff flag on the Fairhaven Veterans Flagpole.

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Below is an archive of past posts - just for the record.  To see the current posts go to the current notices post .

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Nov 29, 2022

Pursuant to the attached White House notification and 4 USC 7 (m), Governor Inslee hereby directs that Washington state and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff immediately, in honor and remembrance of United States Representative Donald McEachin from Virginia. Flags should remain at half-staff until midnight, Tuesday, November 29, 2022, or first thing Wednesday morning, November 30, 2022. Other government entities, citizens and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition.

Oct 9

Pursuant to the attached Presidential Proclamation, Governor Inslee hereby directs that Washington state and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff on Sunday, October 9, 2022, in honor of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service. Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business or sunset on October 9, 2022, or first thing Monday morning, October 10, 2022.  Other government entities, citizens and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition.

Sep 8, 2022

Pursuant to the attached Presidential Proclamation, Governor Inslee hereby directs that Washington State and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff immediately, in honor and remembrance of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.  Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business or sunset on the day of interment.  Other government entities, citizens and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition. Sep 19 update:  Flags will be raised to the top of flagpoles at sunset today, per the Governor's directive to state agencies, as the Queen was interred today at Windsor Castle.

Thur, Aug 11

Governor Inslee is deeply saddened by the death of Spokane Valley Firefighter Dan Patterson, 53, and directs that Washington State and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff in his memory on Friday, August 12, 2022. Firefighter Patterson died in the line of duty on Thursday, August 4, 2022. Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business or sunset on Friday, August 12, 2022. Other government entities, citizens and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition.

Wed, Aug 3

Pursuant to the attached White House notification and 4 USC 7 (m), Governor Inslee hereby directs that Washington State and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff, in honor and remembrance of U.S. Representative Jackie Walorski from Indiana. Flags should remain at half-staff until midnight on Thursday, August 4, 2022, or first thing Friday morning, August 5, 2022.  Other government entities, citizens and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition.

Friday, July 8

Pursuant to the attached Presidential Proclamation, Governor Inslee hereby directs that Washington state and United States flags at all state agency facilities remain lowered to half-staff, in honor and remembrance of former Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe. Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business or sunset on Sunday, July 10, 2022, or first thing Monday morning, July 11. Other government entities, citizens and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition.

Tuesday, July 5

Pursuant to the attached Presidential Proclamation, Governor Inslee hereby directs that Washington State and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff immediately, in honor and remembrance of the victims who tragically lost their lives on July 4, 2022, in Highland Park, Illinois. Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business or sunset on Saturday, July 9, 2022, or first thing Monday morning, July 11.  Other government entities, citizens and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition.

Tuesday, May 24 thru Monday noon, May 30, 2022

Pursuant to the attached Presidential Proclamation, Governor Inslee hereby directs that Washington State and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff immediately, (May 24) in honor and remembrance of the victims who tragically lost their lives on May 24, 2022, at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas.  Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business or sunset on Saturday, May 28, 2022, or first thing Tuesday morning, May 31.

Governor Inslee also hereby directs that Washington State and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff on Monday, May 30, 2022, in recognition of Memorial Day. This federal holiday is in remembrance of those who lost their lives while serving in the country’s armed forces.  Flags should remain at half-staff until noon on Monday, May 30, 2022, or first thing Tuesday morning, May 31.

Other government entities, citizens and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition.

Thursday, May 12, 2022

Pursuant to the attached Presidential Proclamation, Governor Inslee hereby directs that Washington state and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff immediately, in remembrance of the one million American lives lost to COVID-19. Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business, or sunset, on Monday, May 16, 2022.

Other government entities, citizens, and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition.

ALSO

Please note this Sunday is Peace Officers Memorial Day and flags will already be at half-staff:

Saturday, April 9, 2022

Governor Inslee is deeply saddened by the death of retired Washington State Supreme Court Justice Mary Elizabeth Fairhurst, 64, and direct that Washington state flags and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff on Saturday, April 9, 2022. In honor and remembrance of Justice Fairhurst, who passed on Tuesday, December 28, 2021.  

The Governor’s Office has no objection to agencies lowering the flags at the close of business on Friday, April 8, 2022. Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business or sunset on Saturday, April 9, 2022, or first thing Monday morning, April 11.

Other government entities, citizens and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition.

Note: There is a gap in notices from Sep 10, 2021 until April 9, 2022.  The flag continued to be managed per protocol during these months.  

Friday, September 10, 2021

Governor Inslee is deeply saddened by the death of Former Colfax Fire Chief and Volunteer Firefighter Jim Krouse, 76, and directs that Washington State and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff in his memory on Friday, September 10, 2021. Chief Krouse died in the line of duty on Saturday, August 28, 2021. Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business or sunset on Friday, September 10, 2021.

And…

Governor Inslee hereby directs that Washington State and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff on Saturday, September 11, 2021, for national Patriot Day, the annual memorial to the victims of the 2001 tragedy. 

We wll lower the Colors on the Fairhaven Veterans Flagpole to half staff on Friday morning at 8 am and raise them back to the top of the pole at sunset, Saturday evening, 7:30 pm.  

Saturday, August 28, 2021

We will be keeping the Fairhaven flag at half staff for 13 days in honor of the 13 American military service members who were killed in Kabul. We will raise our flag at sunset on Wednesday, September 8.  The members of our Fairhaven Veterans Flagpole group have a consensus on this action.  And we so much hope that no more Americans are killed before we fully exit Afghanistan on Tuesday.  

Friday, August 27

Pursuant to Presidential Proclamation, Governor Inslee hereby directs that Washington State and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff immediately, in honor of the U.S. service members and other victims killed in the terrorist attack on August 26, 2021, in Kabul, Afghanistan.  Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business or sunset on Monday, August 30, 2021.

Thursday, August 26, 2021

The flag on the Fairhaven Veterans Flagpole was lowered to half staff this evening in honor to the fallen U.S. Military Service members today.  At this time, the report is 13 of our military members have been killed at the Kabul airport.  We expect Governor Inslee's directive tomorrow, but we could not wait.  We do not know at this time how many days it will be at half staff.  Perhaps a day for each service member killed.  We are all saddened by this and hope we can get our troops out by next Tuesday without any more deaths.

Tuesday, August 17

Governor Inslee is deeply saddened by the death of Tulalip Tribal Police Officer Charlie Joe Cortez, 29, and directs that Washington State and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff in his memory on Tuesday, August 17, 2021. Officer Cortez died in the line of duty on Tuesday, November 17, 2020. Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business or sunset on Tuesday, August 17, 2021.

Tuesday, August 3, 2021

Governor Inslee is deeply saddened by the death of Clark County Sheriff’s Deputy Jeremy Brown, 46, and directs that Washington State and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff in his memory on Tuesday, August 3, 2021. Deputy Brown died in the line of duty on Friday, July 23, 2021. Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business or sunset on Tuesday, August 3, 2021.

July 6, 2021  

Governor Inslee is deeply saddened by the death of Stafford Creek Correctional Officer Gabriel Forrest, 42, and direct that Washington State and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff in his memory on Wednesday, July 7, 2021. Officer Forrest died in the line of duty on Thursday, June 17, 2021. Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business or sunset on Wednesday, July 7, 2021. Other government entities, citizens and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition.

Thursday, July 1, 2021

Governor Inslee is deeply saddened by the death of Seattle Police Officer Alexandra Brenneman Harris, 38, and directs that Washington state and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff in her memory on Thursday, July 1, 2021. Officer Harris died in the line of duty on Sunday, June 13, 2021. Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business or sunset on Thursday, July 1, 2021. Other government entities, citizens and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition.

Wednesday, May 26 until Monday noon, May 31, 2021

Pursuant to Presidential Proclamation, Governor Inslee hereby directs that Washington state and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff immediately, in honor of the victims who tragically lost their lives on May 26, 2021, in San Jose, California. Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business or sunset on Sunday, May 30, 2021 or first thing Tuesday morning, June 1, 2021.

Governor Inslee also hereby directs that Washington state and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff on Monday, May 31, 2021, in recognition of Memorial Day. This federal holiday is in remembrance of the people who died while serving in the country’s armed forces.  Flags should remain at half-staff until noon on Monday, May 31,

Tuesday, April 20 until day of day of interment. 

Pursuant to Presidential Proclamation, Governor Inslee hereby directs that Washington state and United States flags at all state agency facilities continue to remain lowered to half-staffin honor and remembrance of former Vice President Walter Mondale. Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business or sunset on the day of interment.

Tuesday, April 27 - Pursuant to the attached Presidential message, Governor Inslee hereby directs that Washington state and United States flags at all state agency facilities are returned to full staff.

Editor note:  It seems Walter Mondale will not be interred until September at a memorial service.

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Friday, April 16 through Tuesday, April 20, 2021

Pursuant to Presidential Proclamation, Governor Inslee hereby directs that Washington state and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff immediately, in honor of the victims who tragically lost their lives on April 15, 2021, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business or sunset on Tuesday, April 20, 2021.

Saturday, April 10, 2021

Governor Inslee is deeply saddened by the death of Bainbridge Island Police Officer Kurt Enget, 49, and directs that Washington state and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff in his memory on Saturday, April 10, 2021. Officer Enget died in the line of duty on Friday, April 10, 2020. The Governor's Office has no objection to agencies lowering the flags at the close of business on Friday, April 9, 2021. Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business or sunset on Saturday, April 10, 2021, or first thing Monday morning, April 12.

Tuesday, April 6 through Wednesday, April 7, 2021

Pursuant to the attached Presidential message, Governor Inslee hereby directs that Washington state and United States flags at all state agency facilities continue to remain lowered to half-staffin honor and remembrance of Congressman Alcee Hastings, of Florida. Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business or sunset on Wednesday, April 7, 2021.

Friday, April 2 through Tuesday, April 6, 2021

Pursuant to Presidential Proclamation, Governor Inslee hereby directs that Washington state and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff immediately, as a sign of respect for the service and sacrifice of the victims of the attack at the United States Capitol on Friday, April 2nd. Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business or sunset on Tuesday, April 6, 2021.

Tuesday, March 23 through Saturday March 27, 2021

Pursuant to Presidential Proclamation, Governor Inslee hereby directs that Washington state and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff immediately, in honor of the victims who tragically lost their lives on March 22, 2021, in Boulder, Colorado. Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business or sunset on Saturday, March 27, 2021 or first thing Monday morning, March 29, 2021. Other government entities, citizens and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition.

Editor note:  This was the shooting deaths of ten people inside a supermarket by a young man with an assault rifle. 

Thursday, March 18 through Monday, March 22, 2021

Pursuant to Presidential Proclamation, Governor Inslee hereby directs that Washington state and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff immediately, in remembrance of the victims who lost their lives in the senseless acts of violence perpetrated on March 16, 2021, in the Atlanta Metropolitan area. Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business or sunset on Monday, March 22, 2021. Other government entities, citizens and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition.

Editor note:  This is for the racist murder of six Asian Americans this week, plus two others in the same murdering rampage.

Monday, Feb 22 through Friday, Feb 26, 2021

Pursuant to Presidential Proclamation, Governor Inslee hereby directs that Washington state and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff immediately, in remembrance of the 500,000 Americans who have lost their lives to COVID-19.  Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business or sunset on Friday, February 26, 2021.

Monday, Jan 11 through Wednesday, Jan 13, 2021

Governor Inslee hereby directs that Washington State and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff immediately, in honor of fallen U.S. Capitol Police Officers Brian Sicknick and Howard Liebengood, and all Capitol Police Officers and law enforcement across the Nation. Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business or sunset on Wednesday, January 13, 2021.

Wednesday, Dec 23, 2020

Today we raised the flag back to the top of the flagpole. As finally the military veterans are now getting the vaccine shots for the COVID-19 pandemic, we thought it appropriate to raise it high.  The flag has been at half-staff for 8 months.  See below July 18 post for more info.

Saturday, July 18, 2020

The flag is at half-staff in honor of U.S. Representative John Lewis of Georgia who died yesterday. The presidential notice for lowering today was only issued near noon today and specified only until sunset this evening, effectively half a day for the American hero and Civil Rights icon. Of course he deserves much more respect. Governor Inslee extended the half-staff respect in Washington state until Monday evening, July 20.

We have had the flag at half-staff since April 25, “... to recognize those who have died as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.” and will continue at half-staff. For these few days we can and should recognize the half-staff flag as a mark of respect and honor to John Lewis.

You can read Dick Conoboy’s April 25 article on the extended half-staff of the flag on our Fairhaven Veterans Flagpole. And another article Veterans, COVID, and a Flag at Half Staff of July 30, 2020 explains this extended half-staff flying further.

Monday, December 30, 2019

Governor Inslee is deeply saddened by the death of Pierce County Deputy Cooper Dyson, 25, and directs that Washington State and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff in his memory on Monday, December 30, 2019. Deputy Dyson died in the line of duty when his patrol car crashed while on his way to back up other officers on an urgent domestic violence call.

Saturday, December 7, 2019

Governor Inslee hereby directs that Washington State and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff Saturday, December 7, 2019, for National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day was created by Congress in 1994 in honor of those Americans killed or injured as a result of the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

Wednesday, November 20

Governor Inslee is deeply saddened by the death of Michael Knapp, Interim Police Chief for Lynden, Washington, and directs that Washington State and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff in his memory on Wednesday, November 20, 2019. Interim Police Chief Knapp, 79, passed away on November 6, 2019, from injuries sustained when he was struck by a truck.

Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business or sunset on Wednesday, November 20, 2019.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Governor Inslee is deeply saddened by the death of Christian Johnson, Assistant Fire Chief for Okanogan County Fire District #3, and directs that Washington State and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff in his memory on Thursday, October 24, 2019. Assistant Fire Chief Johnson, 55, passed away on October 2, 2019, from injuries sustained in the Spring Coulee Fire, south of Okanogan.

Thursday, October 17

Pursuant to Presidential Proclamation, Acting Governor Habib hereby directs that Washington State and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff immediately, in memory of Representative Elijah E. Cummings, of Maryland, who passed from complications concerning long-standing health challenges.

Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business or sunset on Friday, October 18, 2019.

Sunday, October 6, 2019

Acting Governor Habib hereby directs that Washington State and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff on Sunday, October 6, 2019, in honor of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service. This is pursuit to the communication received from the White House late Friday afternoon.

The flag is at half staff today and through Thursday until sunset. This is “in memory of the victims of the tragedy in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio.” These are the two mass shooting deaths of 31 people and wounding of many others. The official presidential words - in double quotes - are vague.

Saturday, September 14

Governor Inslee is deeply saddened by the death of Sergeant First Class Dustin B. Ard, 31, and directs that Washington State and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff in his memory on Saturday, September 14, 2019. Sgt. 1st Class Ard died from wounds sustained during combat operations in Afghanistan on August 29, 2019.

Monday, August 5, 2019

Pursuant to a Presidential Proclamation, Acting Governor Cyrus Habib hereby directs that Washington State and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff immediately, in memory of the victims of the tragedy in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio.

Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business or sunset on Thursday, August 8, 2019.

Tuesday, July 23

The flag is at half mast today in memory of Retired Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, John Paul Stevens. Retired Associate Justice Stevens passed away on July 16 from complications of a stroke at the age of 99.

Monday and Tuesday, June 3 & 4, 2019

Flags are lowered to half-staff in memory of the victims of the tragedy in Virginia Beach, Virginia. This is the shooting deaths of 12 people and shooting injuries to several other people at the Municipal Center of this community.

Monday, May 27, 2019

Memorial Day the flag is at half-staff from 8 am until noon, when it is briskly raised back to the top. This day is for rememberance of our armed service members who have died in battle or the line of duty. It originated in the Civil War times and was known as Decoration Day, with the decoration of soldiers graves with flowers and small flags. This custom continues. Raising it at noon symbolizes a continuing future for our country because of their sacrifice. This is one of five days each year that the flag is scheduled for display at half-mast.

Wednesday, May 15, 2019

Peace Officers Memorial Day. Each May 15, across the United States we lower the flag to half-staff to honor law enforcement officers who have died or been disabled in the line of duty. This is one of five days each year that the flag is scheduled for half-mast display.

Wednesday, April 24, 2019

Today is the funeral for Cowlitz County Deputy Sheriff Justin DeRosier who was shot and killed in the line of duty on April 13. Cowlitz County is on the Columbia River near Portland. This is the first time in the 165-year history of the county that a deputy has been killed. His alleged killer was a serial criminal who was in and out of jail and known to be violent. At the time of his death, DeRosier had been investigating an RV trailer that was partially blocking a remote, forested road. This Seattle Times article has the full story.

The above April 24, 2019 post was first here on NW Citizen as the Fairhaven.com website was no longer available for me to post notices on. - John Servais, manager of the Fairhaven flagpole since 2004.  

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