Why are flags at half-staff today? Texas, US flags lowered to honor fallen firefighters

Yahoo

04-05-2025

Flags across the United States and Texas are at half-staff Sunday in honor of National Firefighters Memorial Day, which commemorates 70 firefighters who died in the line of duty last year.
The 44th National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend will also pay tribute to 70 additional firefighters who died in previous years.
'Each of these 140 firefighters made the ultimate sacrifice in service to others – a profound sacrifice that defines true heroism,' Victor Stagnaro, CEO of the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation said in a release. 'Memorial Weekend is a time for our nation to come together to honor their bravery, to stand beside their families, and ensure their legacy lives on in every community they so selflessly served.'
Former President George W. Bush signed the law that required the U.S. flag to be flown at half-staff on all federal buildings to memorialize fallen firefighters each year.
"When you lower your flag this year, you will recognize the brave men and women who died protecting their communities from natural and manmade emergencies and disasters and those who carry on the proud tradition," the NFFF said.
Flags will return to full-staff at sunset.
Six Texas firefighters are being honored during this year's National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend:
Lieutenant Charles "Buddy" Freeman II, of the Montgomery County Fire Department Emergency Services District, died on Sept. 29, 2023. He had responded to a possible carbon monoxide leak on July 9. The following morning, he suffered a heart attack and later died from complications following multiple heart surgeries, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. He did not return to duty after the hazardous materials incident.
Firefighter and Paramedic G. Wade Cannon, of the Flower Mound Fire Department, died in 2022 from colon cancer.
Firefighter Marcelo "Ox" Garcia III, of the Houston Fire Department, died on Nov. 6, 2023, after a wall collapsed on him while he was battling a fire at a vacant warehouse.
Assistant Chief Scott Glass, of Perryton Fire and EMS, died on Oct. 20 from a head injury caused when he was struck by a 5-inch hose that whipped unexpectedly while being charged with water during a structure fire.
Safety Officer Daniel R. "Dan" Potts Sr., of City of Whitney Fire and Rescue, died in 2023 from a heart attack while responding to an early-morning structure fire. He passed away before reaching the scene.
Chief Zebulin Earl "Zeb" Smith, of the Fritch Volunteer Fire Department, died in March 2024 from a heart attack while battling a structure fire. He had been fighting wildfires for nine consecutive days during a weeks-long wildfire outbreak that scorched much of the same area. It was the largest wildfire in state history.
There are specific holidays and events when flags are flown at half-staff in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website. That includes:
Memorial Day, when the flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon, then raised to the top of the staff.
Peace Officers Memorial Day, unless that day is also Armed Forces Day.
Patriot Day.
National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
National Firefighters Memorial Day.
President Dwight Eisenhower also issued a proclamation on the proper times for flying the flag at half-staff when government officials die. That includes:
30 days at all federal buildings, grounds, and naval vessels throughout the United States and its territories and possessions after the death of the president or a former president.
10 days at half-staff after the death of the vice president, the chief justice or a retired chief justice of the United States Supreme Court, or the speaker of the House of Representatives.
From the date of death until interment for 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.
The date of death and the following day of a United States senator, representative, territorial delegate, or the resident commissioner from the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. It should also be flown at half-staff on all federal facilities in the state, congressional district, territory, or commonwealth of these officials.
From the date of death until interment for the governor of a state, territory or possession.
The president or governor may also order that the flag be flown at half-staff to commemorate the death of other officials, former officials or foreign dignitaries, such as the death of Pope Francis.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Why are flags at half-staff today? Texas honors fallen firefighters