Why are the flags at half-staff in Wisconsin on June 13?
"Former Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Berard led a proud life of service, dedicating over four decades of his life to the Wisconsin National Guard, protecting the values and freedoms that we hold dear, and achieving many accolades along the way thanks to his steadfast commitment to serving our state and nation," Evers said in a statement. "Kathy and I are sending our deepest condolences to Maj. Gen. Berard's family, friends, and colleagues as they honor his life of dedicated and decorated service."
Berard was a Hayward native who served in the Wisconsin National Guard for more than four decades, including as adjutant general from 1996 to 1997, according to a June 12 press release. He also earned several accolades and awards throughout his career, including the Distinguished Service Medal and three Meritorious Service Medals.
Aside from his military service, Berard worked at Telemark and Historyland for more than two decades and managed the Lumberjack World Championships for two decades, a release said. He also received the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Paul Bacon Award in 1978 for his "contributions to ski race organizing."
Services for Berard are scheduled for June 13 in Hayward and at the northern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spooner.
Flags across Wisconsin will fly at half-staff until sunset on June 13.
Per Evers' order, the American flag and the Wisconsin state flag will fly half-staff at all buildings, grounds and military installations belonging to the state of Wisconsin.
Flags are usually flown at half-staff after national tragedies or deaths of government officials, military members or other first responders. They may also be at half-staff for Memorial Day or other national days of remembrance, including 9/11, according to Usa.gov.
"The United States flag flies at half-staff or at half-mast when the nation or a state is in mourning," USA.gov says. "The president, a state governor, or the mayor of the District of Columbia can order flags to fly at half-staff."
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Why are flags flying at half-staff in Wisconsin today?
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