Celebrated on the last Monday of May, Memorial Day is a federal holiday to honor and remember the brave military veterans who died serving in the Armed Forces. Formerly called Decoration Day, it’s a tradition across the nation. And since it’s a federal holiday, government workers get the day off. Whether barbecuing in your backyard or visiting a veteran’s gravesite, flying the American flag at half-staff is a fitting tribute on this day.
What Is Half-Staff?
The term “half-staff” refers to a semi-lowered position in which a flag is displayed on a flagpole. Traditionally, it’s performed as a symbol of respect and mourning. In dozens of countries throughout the world including the United States, flags are flown at half-staff for this purpose.
To fly the American flag at half-mast, you must first raise it to the top of the flagpole, after which you can lower it about halfway down the flagpole. Also known as “half-mast,” it’s a universal symbol for respect and morning.
Why the American Flag is Flown at Half-Staff on Memorial Day
The U.S. Veterans Administration (VA) explains that the American flag should be flown at half-staff on Memorial Day. With that said, Memorial Day is somewhat different than other federal holidays. While you should typically fly the American flag at half-staff on all federal holidays, you should only do so for a short period of time on Memorial Day.
On Memorial Day, the American flag should only be flown at half-staff from sunrise until noon, after which it should be raised back to the top of the flagpole. According to the VA, this is intended to honor our nation’s fallen heroes. Hundreds of thousands of military service members have died while serving in the Armed Forces. By flying the American flag at half-staff until noon on Memorial Day, you honor their legacies while projecting your patriotism in the process.
With Memorial Day fast approaching, you should check to ensure your American flag is ready to be displayed. From sunrise until noon on this federal holiday, you should fly it at half-mast. After noon has passed, you can then raise your American flag back to the top of the flagpole. While other federal holidays are different, this is the only proper way to display the American flag on Memorial Day.
See the full list of American flag holidays.
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