While going through downtown Seattle, I’ve noticed various places with numerous flagpoles out front. Mostly, all the flags are at half staff, but there are a few places where only the US flag is at half staff, the rest are still flying at the top of the pole.
Example: There are three flagpoles. The US flag is at half staff, the Washington State flag and the company flag are both flying at the top.
My question: What is the proper ettiquete on this? I was always under the impression that once the US flag is to be at half staff, ALL flags should be at half staff. Especially since, if it’s a single pole with multiple flags, all the flags would have to be lowered since the US flag is traditionally the top flag.
Has anyone else seen something like this, where only the US flag is lowered?
I don’t think having other flags flown at full height is allowed:
“When the flags are flown from adjacent staffs, the flag of the United States should be hoisted first and lowered last. No such flag or pennant may be placed above the flag of the United States or to the United States flag’s right.”
All flags here in the UK have been at half mast. THe only one that isn’t is the royal standard (and that’s because it symbolises something completly different and is NEVER flown at half mast)