Flags To Be Flown at Half-Staff This Week in Wake of Church Shooting

In the wake of Sunday’s church shooting in Sutherland Springs, outside of San Antonio, Governor Greg Abbott has ordered Texas flags across the state to be lowered to half-staff in honor of those lost in the shooting. The Governor stated that flags should remain at half-staff through Thursday, November 9, 2017. Additionally, President Trump on Sunday ordered that all flags on public grounds be flown at half-staff as well until Thursday.

In Reaction to The Horrific Event

Photo: Facebook/ABC News

Governor Abbott went on to say, in a release to the Texas Department of Public Safety, “Individuals, businesses, municipalities, counties and other political subdivisions and entities are encouraged to fly their flags at half-staff for the same length of time as a sign of honor and respect. I extend prayers of comfort to the survivors and the families of the victims and will keep them in my thoughts and prayers.”

Flag Protocol

Photo: Flickr/Khairil Zhafri

According to the Office of the Texas Governor, the protocol for flag status is as follows: When the flag is to be displayed at half-staff, the flag should first be raised briskly to full-staff and then lowered slowly to half-staff. Some entities maintain facilities that display other flags, pennants, and banners (such as replicas of the six historic flags that have flown over Texas). Each entity is responsible for determining its own policy regarding these flags and adornments when flags are to be flown at half-staff, but note that no flag may fly higher than the Texas or United States flag.

It is recommended that in displays such as those containing the six historic flags that have flown over Texas, when flags are ordered to half-staff, the Texas and United States flags should be flown at half-staff and the other flags be removed completely from the display for the duration of the time flags are at half-staff. State agencies or political subdivisions are not required to schedule employees to work non-usual hours for the sole purpose of flying the flags at half-staff.

A Tradition Dating From the 17th Century

Photo: Flickr/Wil C. Fry

The tradition of flying the flag at half-mast began in the 17th century. According to some sources, the flag is lowered to make room for an “invisible flag of death” flying above. In addition to Memorial Day and the anniversary of the September 11 attacks, under Title 4 of the United States Code, flags are to be flown at half-staff for thirty days after the death of a current or former president or president-elect and in other times of national tragedy.