The star-spangled banner does yet wave.
But as a time-honored tradition, flags have again been ordered to fly at half-staff nationwide for Memorial Day on Monday, May 25.
The annual, solemn observance honors US Armed Forces service members who have died while serving the country and is practiced across every state, from Hawaii to Texas, from Georgia to New York. In New York, the POW-MIA flag also will fly over all state buildings from sunrise to sunset on Monday.
However, some well-meaning Americans overlook the relevance of the tradition and leave Old Glory either raised or lowered the entire day.
“Both miss the significance of this intentional transition,” Aaron Bacon, program manager for the American Legion, explained to USA Today.
Originally known as Decoration Day — and dating back to 1868, three years after the end of the Civil War — Memorial Day officially became a national holiday 55 years ago, according to the US Department of Veterans Affairs. That was when Congress declared the official observance would take place on the last Monday in May, starting in 1971.
In a Memorial Day radio address in 1992, President George H.W. Bush underscored the holiday’s ongoing importance.
“On this day, we must tell the stories of those who fought and died in freedom’s cause. We must tell their stories because those who’ve lost loved ones need to know that a grateful Nation will always remember,” he proclaimed. “We must tell their stories so that our children and grandchildren will understand what our lives might have been like had it not been for their sacrifice.”
By tradition, at sunrise and in accordance with the US Flag Code, American flags have been raised momentarily to full-staff before being lowered to half-staff on the holiday in tribute to the country’s fallen; they are then raised again to full-staff at noon.
The half-staff position symbolizes mourning for those the country has lost in battle, while the subsequent full-staff change symbolizes the nation’s ongoing resolve.
“The flag flying at half-staff represents a nation in mourning, reflecting the collective grief and gratitude for those who made the ultimate sacrifice,” according to Colorado-based Custom Flag Co. “At midday, the flag is ceremoniously raised to full-staff. This transition is intentional and powerful. While the morning is dedicated to remembrance of the fallen, the afternoon is meant to symbolize the living.
“Raising the flag signifies that the nation will continue forward, upholding the freedoms and values those service members fought to protect.”
“That moment when the flag is raised isn’t just a rule,” Legion rep Bacon said of the tradition’s importance. “It reflects the sacrifice and resilience of our nation and those who serve.”
The flag is also lowered to half-staff on five other occasions:
- Peace Officers Memorial Day: May 15
- Korean War Veterans Armistice Day: July 27
- Patriot Day: Sept. 11
- Pearl Harbor Day: Dec. 7
- When ordered by the president during periods of mourning following a major public figure’s death or a national tragedy
Regardless of the reason, the public is encouraged to follow the long-established protocol.
“The flag isn’t just something we hang up for decoration,” Bacon told USA Today. “It represents those who gave their lives for our freedoms and their families.”
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