Your opinions please...

Usually don't have to ask for opinions on here, but...

If you saw my Afghanistan post you know that we lost a Marine from our area in Afghanistan on Monday. Not a good thing, for sure but, it has led to another "situation" with my position on our local School Board. The issue deals with U.S. Flag Code and the proper procedure for flying a flag at half mast. Let me start by saying that I do feel that it should be flown at half mast. According to code, which is not law, the Governor must issue the proclamation to fly the flag at half mast. Our custodian that handles the flag responsibilities arbitrarily lowered the flag on Tuesday and our super (ex-military) made him put it back up. A crap storm shortly ensued. At that time none of the local veterans organizations had their flags at half staff either. There has been no proclamation from the governors office as yet, I do have calls in to our local rep and to the governor's office. The local VFW and American Legion did lower their flags today and the school followed suit. My only problem is that if we're going to do it without proper authorization we should have done it on Monday when we got the news. I really think that the gov's office should be on top of these things and should issue the proclamations as soon as a death is confirmed, but that's not really the issue. Having known the Marine that was killed personally, I believe that Joey would have wanted it done properly and I'm curious how some of you veterans or not feel about this. I think that showing respect for the flag is important and I also think that showing respect for fallen soldiers is a priority.

What say you?


Edit: Note to admin, sorry thought I was posting this in OT, feel free to move...

I don't think displaying the flag at half mast in cases such as this (even if executive authority is overlooked) is disrespectful to the flag...the intent was right, the logistics were a bit faulty. Our flag represents the very freedom that this young man was EAGER to defend. As a Marine brat, I'm very aware of the U.S. Flag code and the importance of following protocol and traditions. However, in this case, if it were my call I'd lower the flag to half-staff and notify the dopey politicians and force the Governor to either make the proclamation or not. If he doesn't he can take the heat. The very fact that this is even being debated sort of diminishes the sentiments of flying the flag at half-staff IMO.

Bulldog, let me say first again how sorry I am for your loss. As I look at this, I am seeing that the disagreement is how to best honor this young Marine.

First consideration: The Flag Code applies only at the Federal, State, and Military Level.
The flag code says that the president and governor of a given state may order the half staff. But the DoD also has that authority for military. As a code, there is no enforcement or penalty, and the president, governor, or DoD may only declare the half staff for federal, state, and military installations and naval vessels. Private citizens may--and should--follow the lead.


Second Consideration: Fallen Service Members are not addressed in the Flag Code.
Note well that he flag code for half staffing does not include fallen service members--there is in fact no law on that.

Third Consideration: We are  free.
There is no applicable law, here the flag code may act as guide or precedent. And where there is no law, we as free people have the right to develop "customs or practices not inconsistent with law." A veterans organization may strike half staff for a fallen member when and for as long as it feels appropriate. a private citizen may do the same. A local school district, or municipality may develop it's own protocols to honor a fallen service member.

With all that in mind, it seems that it is not a question of law, but lack of law. The school district or the municipality should develop a policy regarding the when and for how long to fly the flag at half mast.

as a current soldier, Iraq vet, and a person that has lost some close friends, I agree with the above comments.  The locality of the fallen soldier should lower the flag as soon as the news of the fallen soldier is heard. 

And Bogey I think you are correct, at least I interpret it the same way, that a governor is only needed for a state wide lowering of the flag just as the president is needed for a national lowering.

Bulldog,
Many time when I was on burial duties the flags in a town would be left at half mast in rememberance of the dead soldier. As in the military a commander/Leader can instruct a Local (within his scope of command) lowering of the flag for a specific purpose (to honor dead) but then the flag should be reset after the ceremonies are concluded. Again the key words here are scope of control. The school board could ask that the flag be lowered, as could a mayor, or the commander of the local National Guard Armory. But that only pertains to the respect for a local individual. For instance a local gov't office can't order the flag flown at half mast for someone outside of their area of command/control, but should obey a request from someone higher. So the principal was correct. But if the mayor declared a day of mourning, or the school board, then it would have taken precedence. Gets confusing huh? Basically: you follow the orders of those above you unless no other guidance is given.

I don't know or care about defining rule,as long as i am not hurting any one I just do what i feel is right in honoring someone.I think it is sad that we have to figure out the defining rule.bulldog,I am sorry for your loss for he is all of our loss America.

ORIGINAL: ray126

I don't know or care about defining rule,as long as i am not hurting any one I just do what i feel is right in honoring someone.I think it is sad that we have to figure out the defining rule.bulldog,I am sorry for your loss for he is all of our loss America.

I totally agree.

Unit, Corp, God, Country...

Honor the Code.

God be with the family.