Jan 20, 2023
Governor Inslee is deeply saddened by the death of Clallam County Fire District 3 Captain Charles “Chad” Cate, 46, and directs that Washington state and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff in his memory on Saturday, January 21, 2023. Captain Cate died in the line of duty on Thursday, January 12, 2023. The Governor’s Office has no objections to agencies lowering the flags at the close of business on Friday, January 20, 2023. Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business or sunset on Saturday, January 21, 2023, or first thing Monday morning, January 23rd. Other government entities, citizens and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition. A memorial service will take place on Saturday, January 21st, at Sequim High School at 12:30 pm.
This notice will appear on the days when the Stars and Stripes are lowered to half-staff in our communities. This is either one of the five annually scheduled days of remembrance, or a day/days when the president or governor requests flags fly at half-staff because of a national tragedy, the death of a former president, or other officially notable death.
The Fairhaven Veterans Flagpole
A small group of community members, including some of the owners and writers of NWCitizen, are responsible for the raising and lowering of Old Glory on the Fairhaven Veterans Flagpole, the 100-foot pole in front of the Fairhaven Library. The pole and flag are managed by this group of military service veterans and citizens who share the mission of honoring those from our community who have served and died in past wars and conflicts. The group includes several who installed the original flagpole in 1987. We periodically receive non-mandatory notices from the governor’s office to lower the flag to half-staff and we follow these notices; presidential notices are repeated by the governor. We also fly the flag at half-staff on five annual remembrance days: Fallen Firefighters Memorial Day on the first Sunday in May, Police Officers Memorial Day on May 15, Memorial Day on the last Monday of May, Patriot Day on September 11, and Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day on December 7. Our group welcomes interested persons - military veterans or non-vets - to inquire about joining us in maintaining Fairhaven’s flagpole and flying Old Glory. Email to: john at nwhouse.com
Recent half-staff days
Dec 6, 2022
Notice from the governor: Governor Inslee is deeply saddened by the death of Bellevue Police Officer Jordan Jackson, 34, and directs that Washington state and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff in his memory on Tuesday, December 6, 2022. Officer Jackson died in the line of duty on Monday, November 21, 2022. Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business or sunset on Tuesday, December 6, 2022. Other government entities, citizens and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition. A memorial service will take place on December 6th, at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue at 1:00 pm.
Dec 7
Editor note: The flag will continue at half-staff for Wednesday in observance of Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. On Dec 7, 1941, the Japanese Navy attacked Pearl Harbor in the Hawaiian Islands, the main U.S. Navy base in the Pacific Ocean. This surprise attack was made an hour before Japan declared war on our nation and immediately brought the United States into World War Two. We pay our respects to those who died or were injured that morning in Pearl Harbor and all who served that day in our military forces.
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.
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An archive of earlier half-staff notices and reasons is maintained here.
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