Govt Refusal to fly flags at half staff to honor LODD

[EJS1810 7]

I got my Daily Dispatch today and I could not believe two articles I read. The county government in Volusia County Fla and they Mayor of Edwardsville Ks refused to allow flags to be flown at half staff for Firefighter LODD's. They both quote the US Flag code that states only the President can order flags flown at half staff.

Order to raise flags angers firefighters honoring comrade

By LYDA LONGA

Staff Writer

Colleagues of fallen firefighter John "J.J." Curry were fuming Wednesday -- one day after his death in a training accident -- when they were ordered to raise American flags lowered to half-staff at Volusia County Fire Services stations in honor of the 30-year-old.

http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJour...EAD02112907.htm

Edwardsville Mayor Refuses To Lower Flags For Fallen Firefighter

Wyandotte County firefighters were honoring their fallen brother on Wednesday night, but it's also sparking controversy.

A long line of mourners formed outside St. Anthony's Church in Kansas City, Kansas for Mike Tluscik's visitation. Tluscik died on Thanksgiving, he had just returned from a call when he collapse at his KCK fire station.

To honor their fallen brother, firefighters all across Wyandotte County have been flying flags at half-staff but one city's mayor is refusing to participate saying that it breaks the law.

http://www.myfoxstl.com/myfox/pages/Home/D....1.1&sflg=1

I bleieve it is a matter of respect for our fallen brothers and sisters that we honor them with lowered flags. I feel this is something our elected officials need to address and correct as soon as possible.

[JohnnyOV 2]

By LYDA LONGA

Staff Writer

Colleagues of fallen firefighter John "J.J." Curry were fuming Wednesday -- one day after his death in a training accident -- when they were ordered to raise American flags lowered to half-staff at Volusia County Fire Services stations in honor of the 30-year-old.

http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJour...EAD02112907.htm

My awesome politically correct department at work...My resignation letter goes monday after his funeral.

[nycemt728 49]

Here's the flag code

Section 7m of the Flag Code (see below) reads:

The flag, when flown at half-staff, should be first hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The flag should be again raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day. On Memorial Day the flag should be displayed at half-staff until noon only, then raised to the top of the staff. 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 possession, 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 instructions or orders, or in accordance with recognized customs or practices not inconsistent with law. In the event of the death of a present or former official of the government of any State, territory, or possession of the United States, or the death of a member of the Armed Forces from any State, territory, or possession who dies while serving on active duty, the Governor of that State, territory, or possession may proclaim that the National flag shall be flown at half-staff, and the same authority is provided to the Mayor of the District of Columbia with respect to present or former officials of the District of Columbia and members of the Armed Forces from the District of Columbia. The flag shall be flown at half-staff 30 days from the death of the President or a former President; 10 days from the day of death of the Vice President, the Chief Justice or a retired Chief Justice of the United States, or the Speaker of the House of Representatives; from the day of death until interment of an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, a Secretary of an executive or military department, a former Vice President, or the Governor of a State, territory, or possession; and on the day of death and the following day for a Member of Congress. The flag shall be flown at half-staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day, unless that day is also Armed Forces Day. As used in this subsection —

Basically, the governor can order it down for a member of state government or a state memeber of the military killed on active duty. Strictly speaking, agencies cannot half staff their flag w/o an order from the president or governor. That being said, the flag code is strictly voluntary w/ no criminal penalty attached for non compliance. Now, add that to the fact that there are more disrepectful ways people use the flag these days....not that I'm sure where I stand on the issue, but it would appear that the ends justify the means in a case like this????

Edited November 29, 2007 by nycemt728