How do people know whether or not to fly their flag at half mass?

Question

I'm familiar with it being associated with national tragedy or some form of respect. But how do flag owners know when it has begun, more to my personal point, when it stops? Is there some form of bureau that distributes that info daily like they do with gas prices?

Answer 1

Easiest thing to do is watch the Post Office.... if their flag is at 1/2 mast, then you can assume that it's official.

Answer 2

Actually to answer your question, the President "orders" all Flags on government building, offices, military insatalltions, federal property and ships by presidential proclamation. You can go to www.whitehouse.gov and read the text of all Presidential Proclamations including those for half-staffing the US flag (by the way, the proclamation for President Ford states that FLags will be flown at haf-staff until January 25 - 30 days after the President's death.) But strictly speaking, the President only has the power to order flags ion federal property be flown at half-staff. For example, if the state's governor objected nothing prevents him/her from ordering the US Flag to be flown over state buildings all the way up. The same goes for Private citizens. If you can burn the flag legally, then you can certainly fly it all the way up when the President says fly it half mast. Out of respect and deference, however, whenver the President orders the flag at half-mast, all the states follow suit and most private businesses do as well. But there is nothing illegal about flying contrary to the President's order.

Answer 3

The President or the United States authorizes Flags to be flown at half Mast. For people who die, the length of time is determined by how high ranking the person or people are. Heads of State are 30 Days.

Answer 4

isnt there a national tragedy everyday when one of our troops die for us! Really why cant we fly flags half staff everyday? Why wait for the news to say when, do it now and dont take it down until u feel like it!
sorry I couldnt really help ya on this
have a great night!

Answer 5

The government regulates the display of flag on half-mast.

Answer 6

goughtom is right.
If you ever have a question about when to lower it to half staff and when to put it back, you can call your local VFW, or the post office. They will help you.