Latest news with #PeaceOfficersMemorialDay
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Why are flags at half-staff in Arizona? Here's what to know on Memorial Day
Arizonans may notice flags at half-staff on May 26 for a portion of the day. Each year on Memorial Day, flags are flown at half-staff from sunrise until noon to honor military members who died defending the United States. After noon, the flags will be raised to the top of the staff. This is in honor of the living soldiers who continue to defend liberty and justice in the country, according to Liberty Flags. Memorial Day, which is observed on the last Monday in May, allows Americans to remember and honor the soldiers who died defending the United States. Here's what to know about the difference between half-mast and half-staff and why flags are flown at half-staff. Typically, the difference between the two is where the flag is being flown. Half-mast refers to flags flown on ships, while half-staff is used for flags flown on land. More: What does the Arizona state flag mean? From the colors to the history, here's what to know There are specific holidays and events when flags are flown at half-staff in the United States. The Arizona state website outlines those days as: Memorial Day, when the flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon only, 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. U.S. presidents can also declare that flags be flown at half-staff on the death of a notable person, according to the site. In those cases, the flag would be flown at half-staff in these instances: 30 days from the death of the president or a former president. 10 days from the day of death of the vice president, the chief justice or a retired chief justice of the United States, or the speaker of the House of Representatives. From the day of death until the interment of an associate justice of the Supreme Court, a secretary of an executive or military department, a former vice president or the governor of a state. The day of death and the following day for a member of Congress. The governor can also order that the U.S. flag be flown at half-staff on the death of a notable present or former government official or member of the armed forces who dies while on active duty. In Arizona, the governor can also require that the state flag be lowered at all state, institutional and educational buildings. The law also allows the state flag to be lowered on the death of an incumbent elected state officer for seven days beginning on the day following the death of the officer. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Why are flags at half-mast on May 26? Here's what to know
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Flags are half-staff in Texas, US for Memorial Day, but only until noon. Here's why
In honor of Memorial Day, flags across the United States and Texas are required to fly at half-staff. But unlike the other holidays and occasions, they only fly at half-staff until noon, then are raised to the top of the pole until sunset. Here's why. The U.S. flag is displayed at half-staff until noon on Memorial Day, which always falls on the last Monday of May, to honor those who died serving in the armed forces. According to the Independence Hall Association website, it is then raised to full-staff until sunset to show that the nation lives. 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 only, 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 may also order the flag to be flown at half-staff to commemorate the death of ot This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Why are flags at half-staff? What time to raise them on Memorial Day
Newsweek
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Why Are Flags at Half-Staff Today? Memorial Day Rules Explained
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. American flags will be lowered across the country to fly at half-staff to reflect the solemnity of Memorial Day on Monday morning. The flags will be lowered at sunrise and will remain flying in that position until they are raised again at noon. Officials at federal buildings across the land will lower—and then raise—the flags at different points of the day to symbolize various meanings behind the event, which honors the nation's fallen service members. Following the death of former President Jimmy Carter, American flags fly at half-staff at daybreak with the U.S. Capitol in the background on December 30, 2024, in Washington. Following the death of former President Jimmy Carter, American flags fly at half-staff at daybreak with the U.S. Capitol in the background on December 30, 2024, in Washington. It Matters Memorial Day is a federal holiday held in honor of the U.S. military members who died serving their country. The country's flags are always lowered to indicate a period of national mourning, such as during the death of a president or to honor fallen law enforcement officers, such as during the Peace Officers Memorial Day that was held earlier this month. What To Know This year, Memorial Day falls on May 26. The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs has published a document setting out the rules for when it is appropriate to fly the American flag at half-staff. "On Memorial Day, the flag should be flown at half-staff from sunrise until noon only, then raised briskly to the top of the staff until sunset, in honor of the nation's battle heroes," the department says. The origins of Memorial Day date to 1868, although it was then known as Decoration Day, and observance gradually spread throughout the states. Since 1971, Memorial Day has been observed nationally on the last Monday in May. In 2000, Congress passed the National Moment of Remembrance Act, which encourages the nation to observe a moment of silence at 3 p.m. local time to honor and remember those killed in the line of duty. What People Are Saying The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs: "An easy way to remember when to fly the United States flag at half-staff is to consider when the whole nation is in mourning. These periods of mourning are proclaimed either by the president of the United States, for national remembrance, or the governor of a state or territory, for local remembrance, in the event of a death of a member or former member of the federal, state or territorial government or judiciary. The heads of departments and agencies of the federal government may also order that the flag be flown at half-staff on buildings, grounds and naval vessels under their jurisdiction [...] "In the early days of our country, no regulations existed for flying the flag at half-staff and, as a result, there were many conflicting policies. But on March 1, 1954, President Dwight Eisenhower issued a proclamation on the proper times." What Happens Next American flags across the country will be lowered then raised as appropriate on Memorial Day. Other traditions held to mark the occasion will also be taking place, such as the 3 p.m. moment of remembrance, as well as various parades, religious services, speeches by public officials and the laying of a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
Lives, service of fallen officers recognized on Peace Officers Memorial Day
Never forget the sacrifices of the fallen, participants in a special memorial ceremony on Thursday urged. The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 118 annual Police Memorial was held at the Fayette County Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Building in Fayetteville. The event is staged annually in observance of Peace Officers Memorial Day. 'May you never be forgotten,' Det. Cpl. Brian Fernandez, of the Fayette County Sheriff's Department, said as he completed reading the names on the Roll Call of Honor, which annually is read at the solemn ceremony and this year included the names of 241 West Virginia law enforcement officers who have fallen in the line of duty. The first name Fernandez intoned as he stepped to the podium to follow Cpl. C.G. Kennedy, of the Fayetteville Police Department, in reading the list of the fallen was Roger Lee Treadway, a Fayette County Sheriff's Department deputy who was killed in the line of duty on Oct. 8, 1975. Treadway, a military veteran, was shot and killed after he and his partner stopped to aid what they thought was a disabled motorist on U.S. Route 60 near Hico in the early morning hours of Oct. 8 nearly 50 years ago. Helping Fernandez and Kennedy recite the names of the fallen were Fayetteville Chief of Police T.M. Hogan and Patrolman First Class A. Bias, representing the Oak Hill Police Department. Ahead of his closing prayer, FOP Chaplain Retired Sgt. Charles Bryant, of the Fayette County Sheriff's Department, said he served with and/or worked with some of the officers whose names are on the list of fallen. That included Treadway, with whom Bryant recalled making plans to meet for a meal after their shifts on that fateful morning. Treadway was killed not responding to a call which portended anything bad to come, Bryant said, but 'he stopped to assist a motorist, and because of that he was shot ...' 'Never let your guard down,' Bryant told current officers. 'Watch after each other, because lot of times that's all you have.' Fayette County Circuit Judge Thomas K. Fast delivered the keynote remarks Thursday. 'Memorial services are meant for us to remember our history,' Fast said after the ceremony. 'We can learn from our history. 'Officers can take this as a reminder, as Officer Bryant stated, to be alert and never let your guard down. Stay dedicated and stay true to the calling.' 'These services are important,' Fast said. 'If we just forgot about it, where would that get us? Nowhere.' Susie Smith, the mother of slain Beckley Police Department Detective Corporal Charles Eugene 'Chuck' Smith II, attended Thursday, as she has in past years. 'Time has its way of dimming things,' she said. 'Of course, it's easier. You gotta go on,' she said, adding, 'You never forget, never get over it.' 'I come for Chuck,' Smith said. 'It's more about remembering, and showing officers that are here today how important it is ... to stay vigilant. That's the biggest thing.' 'Honor, respect and remember, that's what I say,' she added. Her son's sense of humor is her favorite memory of him, she said. 'He was very funny, a prankster. He was a lot of fun.' The service was 'beautiful as always,' said Smith, who was joined at the event by Chuck's aunt, Barb Workman, and his sister, Robyn Hensley. According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, Chuck Smith was shot and killed on Aug. 29, 2006 as he and another officer participated in an undercover narcotics purchase on South Fayette Street at approximately 4 a.m. Smith was a United States Marine Corps veteran and had served with the Beckley PD for 5 1/2 years. In addition to Smith and Treadway, fallen officers represented in photographs on the stage Thursday included Deputy Sheriff William G. 'Billy' Giacomo, Deputy Sheriff Claude C. Hamilton, Sgt. Thomas E. Baker III, Patrolman Carl Dale Buckland and Sgt. David Lee Lilly. Detective-Lt. James R. Pack, of the Oak Hill Police Department and also the master of ceremonies, offered his appreciation to those in attendance 'to honor the officers that have given that ultimate sacrifice, which is their life.' Pack said lodge members had discussed the possibility of reducing the number of names read each year in order to shorten the ceremony, but then he stumbled on a quote that said, in part, 'In life you die twice. The first time you die is when you take your last breath, your heart beats your last beat. The second time is when your name is spoken for the last time. ... As long as we have anything to say about it,' the officers on the list 'will never die the second time.' Bryant prayed for strength for 'the family members that are still suffering through the pain and the loss of their loved ones.' During the afternoon, Heavens Harmony performed 'Scars In Heaven' and 'Go Rest High On That Mountain.' Monty Price concluded the ceremony with a stirring rendition of 'Taps,' and a reception followed. On Wednesday, Gov. Patrick Morrisey issued a proclamation ordering flags in West Virginia to be flown at half staff on May 15 in honor of Peace Officers Memorial Day. 'Law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day for our safety,' Morrisey said in a press release. 'May we always remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, and may we pledge to do everything in our power to keep our brave officers safe. 'Thank you to every peace officer across West Virginia for protecting our communities.' Morrrisey further encouraged citizens of West Virginia to join all Americans to honor the federal, state and local officers killed or disabled in the line of duty, in gratitude and in support of their continuing efforts to protect the rights and safety of the citizens and their freedoms.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
‘We need to honor that sacrifice': The 2025 Peace Officer's Memorial Service
COLUMBUS, Ga. () — Law enforcement officers, families, and community members came together at the Bibb Mill Event Center to honor the ultimate sacrifice made by fallen officers. The annual Peace Officers' Memorial Service, hosted by the Fraternal Order of Police, recognized fallen officers from across Georgia and Alabama. This year's Roll Call of Heroes included names stretching back to the 1800s, each read aloud and honored in solemn silence. There were 43 names called. Each name that echoed through the room served as a reminder of the lives lost. The service included a proclamation from Columbus Mayor Skip Henderson. As well as representative speakers from the Columbus Police Department, Muscogee County Sheriff's Office, Muscogee County Prison, and Rutledge State Prison. 'We need to honor that sacrifice both on the part of the officer as well as their families.' said Sgt. Kelly Phillips, the Fraternal Order of Police, Vice President. 'I would hope the public would look at an event like this and realize there are still individuals out there who want to serve, who want to help… and that we're human too.' The Fraternal Order of Police says the memorial is also a reminder to the public that behind every badge is a person, and behind every name is a family. The Peace Officers' Memorial Service is held each year in May, aligning with National Police Week and Peace Officers Memorial Day on May 15th. The Fraternal Order of Police says it hopes to see even greater turnout next year as the community continues to honor its heroes. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
