what does it mean for an American Flag to be flown at Half Mast???

Answer 1

To honor someone who has died and to remember and recognize an event that has caused great concern and death to someone. Like 911. Also when someone in law enforcement has been killed in the line of duty and to remember our soldiers of the past and present.

Answer 2

The flag is flown at half-mast to recognize a loss of life.

Answer 3

Half mast is when the flag is half way up the pole. This means that the nation is recognizing the death of someone important to the nation.

Answer 4

Half-staff or half-mast (naval applications only) describes a flag flying 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.

When 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.

The 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-staff' has now commonly become to fly the flag at true 'half-staff' regardless of the size of the flag or hoist.

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 5

Someone died, such as a president or someone important to whoever has the flag - our local fire departments fly them at half mast when fire fighters die in our region.

Answer 6

It means somone who was in the milatary or held a government office or has done great and gave their to their country, basically itswhen someone dies

Answer 7

It means that someone really important, or a large amount of people died.

Examples:

When the pope died
When Abe Lincon died
Veterans day

Answer 8

It means the nation is mourning the lost of someone important or special.

Answer 9

It means that someone has died and they are paying respect to that person.
It is a symbolic way of telling everyone.

Answer 10

It is a sign of respect for someone who has passed away.