Can just anyone fly a flag at half mast?

[Shayna]

I was talking with a friend today who went to the cable company to pay her bill in person and saw that they were flying a flag out front at half mast. When she went in, she asked about it, wondering what important person had died that she hadn’t heard about. They told her they were flying it at half mast because one of their employees had died. She said she didn’t think they were “allowed” to do that. She contends that flying an American flag at half mast is something reserved strictly for official government buildings or in instances where the U.S. government says it’s ok for its citizens to do so.

I searched Cecil’s archives and the only article I found was http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mhalfmas.html which said,

Dear Straight Dope:

Today at work I noticed that the state flag was sort of at 3/4 mast. Does this mean somebody important is seriously ill? --Name withheld

SDSTAFF Ranger replies:

I’d say more likely either someone has serious depth perception problems or was in a hurry to get inside to use a restroom. When one raises a flag to half mast, you’re supposed to raise it all the way, then lower it to half. To lower a flag that is at half mast, you’re supposed to raise it all the way first. But these are the rules (or traditions if you prefer) for the US flag. You didn’t specify in what state this occured. The different states have been known to have silly laws.

Now, that only addresses (sort of) State flags, not the U.S. flag. However, it alludes to “rules” and “laws” governing in what manner flags can/should be raised and lowered.

So what’s the straight dope? Can anyone lower a flag, say, in their front yard, to half mast if they want to? If I have a flag pole and my father dies, can I lower the flag to half mast in his honor, or does the U.S. government have to sanction it? Or is that something that is only done for “important” people? And if so, who qualifies?

[RealityChuck]

I’m pretty sure that anyone can decide to fly the flag at half-staff as a sign of mourning. A governor or president can order it for all state or Federal offices, but the flag code does not prohibit individuals from deciding to fly the flag at half staff.

[Scruloose]

Flying the flag at half-staff is an area of flag etiquette that most people want to make sure they get right. It is also an area for which the road to error is routinely paved with good intentions. With that in mind, we offer this refresher course as the all-important intersection where knowledge meets benevolence.

FLYING THE FLAG AT HALF-STAFF: The pertinent section of the Flag Code says, "by order of the President, the flag shall be flown at half-staff upon the death of principal figures of the United States Government and the Governor of a State, territory, or possesion, as a mark of respect to their memory. In the event of the death of other officials or foreign dignitaries, the flag is to be displayed at half-staff according to Presidential orders, or in accordance with recognized customs or practices not inconsistent with law.

In the event of the death a present or former official of the government of any State, territory, or possession of the United States, the Governor of that state, territory, or possession may proclaim that the National flag shall be flown at half-staff." The code also includes other related details including the specific length of time during which the flag should be displayed at half-staff, in the event of the death of a “principal figure”(e.g., 30 days for the death of a sitting or former President, 10 days for the death of a sitting Vice-President,etc.).

GOOD-FAITH MISUNDERSTANDINGS: Although the code is actually pretty clear, confusion continues to occur. For example, U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno recently ordered the American Flag flown at half-staff on all U.S. Department of Justice buildings, in honor of several DEA agents who had died. While NFF understands this gesture, the Flag Code does not give Attorney General Reno the authority to issue that order. Closer to NFF’s Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania home, Mayor Tom Murphy ordered all flags flown at half-staff to honor the victims of a plane crash. Here again, a well-intentioned gesture, but one for which no authority exists. NFF points out these “good-faith misunderstandings” not to criticize or embarrass anyone, but rather to head off a growing trivialization of this memorial salute, and to preserve the dignity and significance of flying the U.S. flag at half-staff. To any readers who may think that NFF is insensitive for raising these breaches of etiquette, please be assured that our motives are pure. We grieve these human loses deeply; however, we believe proper respect for our flag must be maintained - no matter the circumstances.
We owe that respect to our living, our dead and our flag.

For more info from where this came from:

http://www.icss.com/usflag/toc.html#Misc

[Scruloose]

BTW, the above is not my writing, it is quoted from the linked website.

©

[Lance_Turbo]

Does the NFF (National Flag Foundation) have the right to tell me what to do?

I think not.

Go ahead and fly your flag at half staff if your Dad dies. If the NFF comes knocking, tell them, “Lance Turbo gave me the go ahead.”

[Lance_Turbo]

Seriously though, if flag burning is protected by free speech. I’m sure you can fly the flag at half staff for any reason you see fit. It may not be proper ettiquette, but if you are mourning your father anyone who gives you flag ettiquette tips has hopefully lowered the flag before that enormous pole went up…

Nevermind.

[Scruloose]

From the aforementioned site:

While the Code empowers the President of the United States to alter, modify, repeal or prescribe additional rules regarding the Flag, no federal agency has the authority to issue ‘official’ rulings legally binding on civilians or civilian groups. Consequently, different interpretations of various provisions of the Code may continue to be made. The Flag Code may be fairly tested: ‘No disrespect should be shown to the Flag of the United States of America.’ Therefore, actions not specifically included in the Code may be deemed acceptable as long as proper respect is shown.

The answer to the OP, I believes lies here. As I read this, and the “Flag code”, I would say that civilians half masting the flag out of respect is their own buisness. The code applies to the Gov’t, and how Gov’t agencies/Dept’s, handle/display the flag, etc.

©

[Arken]

Just a bit of personal experience to add…

Here in Bloomington, Indiana, when beloved local citizen Herman B. Welles died (the man turned Indiana University int o the Big 10 school it is today) pretty much every flag in town was at half-mast for over a week, including the ones at the Army Reserve centre and the National Guard armoury.

[Shayna]

Thank you very much for the replies and clarification. I had thought flying the flag at half-mast/half-staff was something anyone could do, but my friend was so insistent, I had to find out the real skinny. This is why I love this place.

Thanks again!

(P.S. - Arken, my sister graduated from IU in Bloomington. :))

[handy]

Shayna cutie, which flag? The american one? State one? City one? Company one? I know you implied its the USA flag but just want to make sure. Much better than them flying it upsidedown, though, eh?

[sailor]

Not too long ago I saw the flag flying upside down in front of the post office. I asked at the window what the reason was and was told the reason was the guy who put it up was not paying attention. A few hours later it was still that way. I guess they couldn’t be bothered. I also guess it is not a good idea to complain too loudly to your (maybe disgruntled) post office workers…

[Diceman]

**
Not too long ago I saw the flag flying upside down in front of the post office. I asked at the window what the reason was and was told the reason was the guy who put it up was not paying attention. A few hours later it was still that way. I guess they couldn’t be bothered. I also guess it is not a good idea to complain too loudly to your (maybe disgruntled) post office workers…
**

I’ve heard that flying the U.S. flag upside-down is supposed to indicate some kind of severe trouble. This is mostly mentioned with resepect ocean-going ships, although maybe it’s also a signal that a disgruntled postal employee is nearing the edge.

You might want to find a new post office, Sailor.

[Little_Nemo]

I work in a New York government office. We fly the national and state flags at half-mast whenever we receive orders from Albany to do so. These orders are sent out by e-mail, name who it is that died, and specify how long the flags will be flown at half-mast. Two recent persons who deaths were commemorated in this fashion were a former governor and a former deputy mayor of NYC.