Why flags are at half-staff only part of Memorial Day
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Americans are used to flying the flag on patriotic days of the year. They also fly it at half-staff on certain occasions of mourning, such as the death of a dignitary or first responder.
Memorial Day is one of the days Americans fly the flag at half-staff, but only for the first half of the day.
U.S. Code calls for the American flag to be lowered to half-staff only from sunrise until noon. The flag should then be raised briskly to the top of the staff until sunset, according to the VA.
Memorial Day is the only day the flag is at half-staff for half a day. The morning hours are to remember the more than one million men and women who gave their lives in service to the country. Raising the flag symbolizes the nation’s determination to go on.
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“At noon, their memory is raised by the living who resolve not to let their sacrifice be in vain, but to rise up in their stead and continue the fight for liberty,” is the quote used in many Memorial Day speeches.
The U.S. Code on The Flag also has a special instruction whenever the flag is at half-staff. It says the flag should first be hoisted to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position.
Memorial Day also includes a National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m. local time. All Americans are encouraged to pause wherever they are at 3 p.m. for a minute of silence to remember and honor those who have died for the nation.
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