Why are flags currently at half staff?

Question

I don't mean to sound out of touch, but have been vacationing this week. Yesterday, I noticed flags at rest areas, and government locations, flying at half mast. Who died?

I was travelling thru Illinois and Indiana. So, it wasn't state specific. Although I would like to give a special shout out to the morons @ the INDOT location, on Route 63, that were flying the IN flag higher than Old Glory.

Answer 1

It was probably because Gerry Studds died. Studds, a Democrat, was the first openly-gay politician to be elected to Congress. Later, he figured in a scandal when it was brought to light that he was having a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old congressional page. Studds was censured by the House of Representatives, but did not resign, and was elected to his seat in the House until he retired.

Answer 2

In what state are you in? Sometimes it's someone better known in the state. The governor of the state has the authority to order flags at half-mast. Not just the President of the U.S.

Some deaths very much in the public attention are the Amish girls', the NY Yankees pitcher, and that young woman in Burlington, VT. A good place to look would be the New York Times obituaries.

Answer 3

In the United States, the President or Governor of a state or territory can issue an Executive Order for the flag of the United States to be flown at half-staff upon the death of principal figures of the United States government, and others, as a mark of respect to their memory. When such an order is issued, government buildings, offices, and military bases are to fly their flags at half-staff. Since it is a generally accepted practice to fly the US flag higher than other flags (except those of other nations), private organizations and individuals usually also fly their flags at half-staff at these times, but are not required by law to do so. Governors, by law and custom of their particular state, are able to direct by Executive Order their respective state flags be flown at half-staff.

Upon the order of the President, the flag is to be flown at half-staff in following circumstances:

For thirty days after the death of a current or former President.
For ten days after the death of a current or former Vice-President, Chief Justice, or 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
On the day of death and the following day for a Member of Congress
On Memorial Day until noon
Annually by presidential proclamation, (as requested by U.S. Congress) on September 11 (Patriot Day), and December 7, National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, (see US Code: Title 36, Chapter 1)
Upon presidential proclamation, which have included: the remembrance of the 9/11 attacks, the death of Pope John Paul II, the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster in 2003, the victims of Hurricane Katrina, and the Indian Ocean tsunami, death of Coretta Scott King
US federal law requires the flag be flown at half-mast on Peace Officers Memorial Day (May 15), unless that day is also Armed Forces Day. Yearly presidential proclamations also mandate that the flag be flown at half-staff on Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (December 7) and National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day (July 27).

Answer 4

the service men and women are dying from the war in iraq they put flag at half staff to remember them .

Answer 5

because north koreas nuclear program is dead

Answer 6

not me