In honor of Memorial Day, flags in the US and Texas must fly at half-mast.
But unlike the other holidays and occasions, they only fly at half-staff until noon and then are taken to the top of the pole until sunset.
This is why.
Why are flags only flown at half-mast until noon on Memorial Day?
On Memorial Day, which always falls on the last Monday in May, the American flag is flown at half-staff until noon to honor those who died while serving in the armed forces. According to the Independence Hall Association website, it will then be expanded to full occupancy until sunset to show that the nation is alive.
When are flags flown at half-mast?
According to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs website, there are specific holidays and events that require flags to be flown at half-staff in the United States. That includes:
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Memorial Day, during which the flag must be flown at half-staff until noon and then flown to the top of the staff.
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Peace Officers Memorial Day, unless that day is also Armed Forces Day.
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Patriot day.
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National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
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National Firefighters Remembrance Day.
President Dwight Eisenhower also issued a proclamation on the appropriate times for flying the flag at half-staff when government officials die. That includes:
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30 days on all federal buildings, grounds, and naval vessels in the United States and its territories and possessions after the death of the President or a former President.
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10 days at half-staff following the death of the Vice President, the Chief Justice or a retired Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, or the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
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From the date of death until the burial of an associate justice of the Supreme Court, a member of the Cabinet, a former vice president, the president pro tempore of the Senate, the majority leader of the Senate, the minority leader of the Senate, the majority leader of the House of Representatives, or the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.
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The date of death and the following day of a Senator, Representative, United States Territorial Representative, or Local Commissioner of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. It would also be required to be flown at half-staff at all federal facilities in the state, congressional district, territory, or commonwealth of these officials.
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From the date of death to the funeral of the Governor of a State, Territory or Possession.
The President may also order the flag to be flown at half-mast to commemorate the deaths of other officials, former officials, or foreign dignitaries, in addition to tragic events.
This article originally appeared in the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: American flags at half-staff in Texas for Memorial Day, but only until noon
