Latest news with #halfstaff
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Flags ordered at half-staff for Minnesota firefighter who died in the line of duty
Flags ordered at half-staff for Minnesota firefighter who died in the line of duty originally appeared on Bring Me The News. Flags are at half-staff this weekend in honor of a firefighter from southern Minnesota who died in the line of duty. Andrew Karels, 35, died Monday. He served as a medical officer with the Amboy Fire Department. To honor Karels, Gov. Tim Walz ordered flags at state buildings to be flown at half-staff from sunrise on Saturday to sunset on Monday, June 9. 'Firefighter Andrew Karels was a steadfast leader for the Amboy Fire Department,' Walz said in a statement. 'His commitment to delivering exceptional care in emergency situations – always with compassion and professionalism – touched countless peoples' lives during their most challenging moments. We mourn this sudden and tragic loss, and I extend my deepest condolences to Firefighter Karels' family, colleagues, and all who knew and loved him." According to his obituary, Karels also served in the Army National Guard from 2007 to 2014, where he earned the rank of Sergeant. At the Amboy Fire Department, he received the the lifesaver award for hosting training events for South Central Minnesota EMS. He was a member of the fire department for 10 years. Karels and his wife Morgan have three children. 'Andrew's steady pride was unwavering during coaching wrestling tournaments, swimming lessons, baseball and softball, and our everyday life as he came home each day declaring in song as he walked in the door, 'I Love YOU!' the obituary says. Karels' cause of death hasn't been disclosed. This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Jun 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Flags are at half-staff in Massachusetts today. Here's why
Gov. Maura Healey announced that state and national flags will fly at half-staff in Massachusetts today, June 7 to honor Staff Sergeant Loring E. Lord of Somerville. SSG Lord served in the U.S. Army Air Forces 642d Bombardment Squadron, 409th Bombardment Group, 9th Bombardment Division, 9th Air Force, during World War II. On March 21, 1945, while on a mission to Duelmen, Germany, SSG Lord was killed in action when his aircraft was shot down. His service was honored with the Air Medal and the Purple Heart. After being missing for almost 80 years, Somerville sargeant was recently identified. In honor of SSG Lord and his service to the country, flags at all Massachusetts state buildings will be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Saturday, June 7, the day when his remains will finally be laid to rest at Woodlawn Cemetery in Everett. According to the official website of the U.S. General Services Administration, flags typically fly at half-staff when the country or specific state is in mourning. Observances include national tragedies, days of remembrance and deaths of government or military personnel. The president, the state governor or the mayor of Washington, D.C., can order flags to fly at half-staff. While half-staff refers to lowered flags on land, half-mast refers to those at sea. Both refer to a flag being flown beneath the top of its staff as a sign of respect. This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Why are flags at half-staff in Massachusetts today? What to know
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Why are the flags at half-staff in Wisconsin today?
Gov. Tony Evers has ordered flags to fly at half-staff in honor of former Oneida Nation Chairman Gerald L "Jerry" Danforth, who died June 1 at age 78. 'Chairman Danforth led the Oneida Nation with integrity, dedication and a deep commitment to upholding and protecting Tribal sovereignty and culture,' Evers said in a news release. Services for Danforth will be held June 7 at the Oneida Turtle School, N7125 Seminary Road in Oneida, according to the release. Flags will be at half-staff from sunrise to sunset June 7. The U.S. flag and Wisconsin flag will be flown at half-staff at all buildings, grounds and military installations of Wisconsin, according to the release. Danforth served two terms as chairman of the Oneida Nation, and was first elected in 1999 and then again in 2005. "As chairman, Danforth prioritized Indian gaming interest and economic development, as well as issues around health care, higher education, Oneida language preservation and expanding communication between the state and the Native Nations," according to the release. Flags are usually flown at half-staff after national tragedies or deaths of government officials, military members or other first responders. Flags can also be at half-staff for Memorial Day or other national days of remembrance, according to This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Why are flags at half-staff in Wisconsin today, June 7?
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Flags will fly at half-staff in honor of former Oneida Nation Chairman Gerald Danforth
Gov. Tony Evers has ordered the flags to fly at half-staff June 7 in honor of former Oneida Nation Chairman Gerald "Jerry" Danforth. Danforth died June 1 at the age of 78. Danforth served two terms as chairman in 1999 and 2005. Evers signed Executive Order No. 265, ordering the flags of the United States and the state of Wisconsin to be flown at half-staff on June 7. 'Chairman Danforth led the Oneida Nation with integrity, dedication, and a deep commitment to upholding and protecting Tribal sovereignty and culture,' said Evers in a news release. 'Kathy (Evers wife) and I are sending our deepest condolences to Chairman Danforth's family and loved ones and the Oneida Nation as they mourn his passing.' Services for Danforth will be held at 10 a.m. June 7 at the Oneida Turtle School. Tehassi Hill, chairman of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, reflected on Danforth's leadership. He said the two would often go golfing and share their experiences of life and tribal leadership. "Continuing to build community relationships with the greater Green Bay area, I think was one of his focuses, and it continues to be one of my focuses," Danforth told the Press-Gazette. "Making sure that we're out there, meeting the people in the community, and being able to foster stronger relationships in the greater Green Bay area." Evers said the flags will fly at half-staff from sunrise to sunset June 7. According to Evers' order, the flags will be flown half-staff at all buildings, grounds and military installations in the state of Wisconsin. Flags are flown at half-staff usually when a government official, a first responder or a military member dies. According to "The president, a state governor, or the mayor of the District of Columbia can order flags to fly at half-staff." The flags can also be flown at half-staff for Memorial Day or other national days of remembrance, such as 9/11. Rashad Alexander can be contacted at ralexander@ and 920-431-8214. This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Flags fly at half-staff June 7 honor of former Oneida Nation chairman
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Why are flags at half-staff today? Iowa flags lowered until noon
Flags around Iowa will be lowered to half-staff on May 26, according to orders from Gov. Kim Reynolds to commemorate Memorial Day. Flags around Iowa will be lowered from sunrise to noon on May 26 in honor of Memorial Day. The National League of Families POW/MIA flag will be flown on the Capitol grounds for the entire day. 'This Memorial Day we remember our country's heroes and are deeply humbled by the great debt they paid on our behalf,' Reynolds said in a news release. 'We honor the brave men and women who have gone to battle and paid the ultimate price so we can live in a free nation. Kevin and I join with all Iowans as we reflect on the powerful reminder that our liberty can only be preserved through sacrifice and service.' Half-mast is used when the flag is flown from a flagpole, typically referring to a ship mast or similar structures, according to Federal Flags. Half-mast means the flag is flown two-thirds up between the top and bottom of the flagstaff. Half-staff is the term used for flags on land, particularly in the United States. Half-staff describes a flag that is raised halfway, between the top and bottom of the flagpole. When the American flag is flown at half-staff, it conveys a message of respect and mourning. Federal Flags says this custom is most often observed following the death of a government official, military personnel or in response to a national tragedy. Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at kkealey@ or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Why are flags at half-staff today? Iowa flags lowered on Memorial Day
