why are us flags half mast today?
346625
it must be a local thing because it isn't a memorial holiday
265986
U.S. Code, Title 4, Section 1:\n\n"(k) The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning." \n\nThe key phrase here that makes this different than a protest is "...destroyed in a dignified way...". It should be done in private, or a respectful ceremony. If you want to take it even a step farther, I've heard from some, but can't find it online, that you should also bury the ashes. \n\nAs for folding the flag, check out the second link below. Fold it up good and tight, and only the union (field of blue with the stars) should be showing. No red and white should be visible at all.
999503
The Fourth of July was traditionally celebrated as America's birthday, but the idea of an annual day specifically celebrating the Flag is believed to have first originated in 1885. BJ Cigrand, a schoolteacher, arranged for the pupils in the Fredonia, Wisconsin Public School, District 6, to observe June 14 (the 108th anniversary of the official adoption of The Stars and Stripes) as 'Flag Birthday'. In numerous magazines and newspaper articles and public addresses over the following years, Cigrand continued to enthusiastically advocate the observance of June 14 as 'Flag Birthday', or 'Flag Day'. \n\nOn June 14, 1889, George Balch, a kindergarten teacher in New York City, planned appropriate ceremonies for the children of his school, and his idea of observing Flag Day was later adopted by the State Board of Education of New York. On June 14, 1891, the Betsy Ross House in Philadelphia held a Flag Day celebration, and on June 14 of the following year, the New York Society of the Sons of the Revolution, celebrated Flag Day. \n\n\n\nAs Americans, we have every right to be proud of our culture, our nation, and our flag. So raise the flag today and every day with pride!
81183
it's a federal public holiday, so the entire US does. yes.
339710
The upside down U.S. flag is an official signal of distress. It is not meant to be, and is not officially recognized as any type of disrespect when so displayed for the right reasons. To the contrary, here is the relevant part of the US Code of Laws regarding how to fly the flag when in distress: \n\nTHE FLAG CODE \nTitle 36, U.S.C., Chapter 10 \nAs amended by P.L. 344, 94th Congress\nApproved July 7, 1976\n\n§ 176. Respect for flag: No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America; the flag should not be dipped to any person or thing. Regimental colors, State flags, and organization or institutional flags are to be dipped as a mark of honor. \n(a) The flag should never be displayed with the union down, except as a signal of dire distress in instances of extreme danger to life or property. \nMost individuals who have served in the military service of our nation will (or should) recognize this signal.\n\n As a result of the many traitors and enemies we as a free people have, both foreign and domestic, as a result of the many unconstitutional acts, legislation and atrocities passed and/or committed against US citizens and their life, liberty and property, and as a result of policies that have allowed (and continue to allow) enemies of this nation to enter in large numbers through a porous border policy, I believe the life, liberty and property of US Citizens are in dire danger and distress. \n\n\n\nhttp://www.jeffhead.com/liberty/flagdistress.htm
221338
The U.S. flag has undergone many changes since the first official flag of 1777. On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress passed the first Flag Act, which said that the flag would be made up of thirteen alternating red and white stripes and thirteen white stars on a blue field. Stars have been added to the flag as new states join the union. Currently, the flag contains 50 stars.\n\nEver wonder why the flag is red, white, and blue? While the flag's colors did not have a specific meaning at the time, the colors were significant for the Great Seal of 1782.\n\n    * White: Signifies purity and innocence\n    * Red: Signifies valor and bravery\n    * Blue: Signifies Vigilance, perseverance, and justice\n\nWhy stars and stripes? Stars are considered a symbol of the heavens and the divine goal to which man has aspired from time immemorial; the stripe is symbolic of the rays of light emanating from the sun.
470260
I honestly feel that the only flag that should be paraded down in the US is the American Flag.  Although we represent a wide variety of race, culture and ethnicity, we are still Americans.  BOTTOM LINE.
370037
On June 14, the nation’s annual Flag Day—the United States Supreme Court reversed itself, this time as to its decision in the Gobitis case, doing so in the case styled West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette. It ruled that “no official, high or petty, can prescribe what shall be orthodox in politics, nationalism, religion, or other matters of opinion or force citizens to confess by word or act their faith therein.” Much of the reasoning set out in that decision was thereafter adopted in Canada by the Ontario Court of Appeal in Donald v. Hamilton Board of Education, which decision the Canadian Supreme Court refused to overrule.\n\nConsistent with its decision in the Barnette case, and on the same day, in Taylor v. State of Mississippi, the Supreme Court of the United States held that Jehovah’s Witnesses could not validly be charged with sedition for explaining their reasons for refraining from saluting the flag and for teaching that all nations are on the losing side because they are in opposition to God’s Kingdom. These decisions also set the scene for subsequent favorable rulings in other courts in cases involving Witness parents whose children had refused to salute the flag in school.
395508
I am not sure why they are flying the flag at half MAST not mask
650166
As long as a  flag is lighted at night it can be flown 24/7 , we lower the flag to half staff to show respect for our fallen hero's and deceased friends and relatives...No flag should be flown during inclement weather that may cause damage to it. And you should always salute the flag before you lower it and after raising it by placing your right hand over your heart....
740
Half-staff or half-mast describes the act of flying a flag approximately halfway up a flagpole (though anywhere from one-third to two-thirds of the way up the flagpole is acceptable). This is done in many countries as a symbol of respect, mourning, or distress.\n\nWhen hoisting a flag that is to be displayed at half-staff, it should be hoisted to full staff for an instant, then lowered to half-staff. Likewise when it is lowered at the end of the day, it is to be hoisted to full staff for an instant, and then lowered.\n\nThe original flag 'etiquette' was to fly the flag at one flag's depth from the top of the hoist. With the larger flags on shorter hoists on public buildings the practice of 'half-mast' has now commonly become to fly the flag at true 'half-mast' regardless of the size of the flag or hoist.
75054
The flag can only be ordered at half mast by the president. When he does so, it will be listed at the site below.
291567
i think its an american flag!
1055752
Here is a sampling of the information available at the web site listed below:\n\n\nThe "FLAG CODE" \n\n\nPrevious to Flag Day, June 14, 1923 there were no federal or state regulations governing display of the United States Flag. It was on this date that the National Flag Code was adopted by the National Flag Conference which was attended by representatives of the Army and Navy which had evolved their own procedures, and some 66 other national groups. This purpose of providing guidance based on the Army and Navy procedures relating to display and associated questions about the U. S. Flag was adopted by all organizations in attendance. \n\nA few minor changes were made a year later during the Flag Day 1924 Conference, It was not until June 22, 1942 that Congress passed a joint resolution which was amended on December 22, 1942 to become Public Law 829; Chapter 806, 77th Congress, 2nd session. Exact rules for use and display of the flag (36 U.S.C. 173-178) as well as associated sections (36 U.S.C. 171) Conduct during Playing of the National Anthem, (36 U.S.C. 172) the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, and Manner of Delivery were included. \n\nThis code is the guide for all handling and display of the Stars and Stripes. It does not impose penalties for misuse of the United States Flag. That is left to the states and to the federal government for the District of Columbia. Each state has its own flag law. \n\nCriminal penalties for certain acts of desecration to the flag were contained in Title 18 of the United States Code prior to 1989. The Supreme Court decision in Texas v. Johnson; June 21, 1989, held the statute unconstitutional. This statute was amended when the Flag Protection Act of 1989 (Oct. 28, 1989) imposed a fine and/or up to I year in prison for knowingly mutilating, defacing, physically defiling, maintaining on the floor or trampling upon any flag of the United States. The Flag Protection Act of 1989 was struck down by the Supreme Court decision, United States vs. Eichman, decided on June 11, 1990. \n\nWhile 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.
54645
The correct procedure is that the flag is raised to the top of the mast/flag pole as normal and then lowered to half mast.
446567
honoring the country you live in.
919188
It is a symbol ............. like the US Flag.  It is a representation of the "peoples".   And it is sacred.\n\n\nNative Pride!