Should the State Flag Be Half-Staffed?

Answer: Hi Mr R. I apologize if you did not get a response. I can't remember if I answered you or not. The Flag Code is silent on this fascinating question and I know of no other source that deals with this question. Army regulations for example do not mention it. And even if they did, those regs or any other military regulations apply to the military only. For private citizens, The Flag Code applies. My sense is this: Many flag usage questions are left up to the discretion of the individual. I believe that this is one of them. The Flag Code for example gives us all the option on how to retire, that is to say, dispose of a worn out flag. It need not be burned as most people think. The operative concept that guides is "in a respectful manner." In handling the myriad of real world situations that The Flag Code does not and can not address, I think if "in a respectful manner" is always the guide, then one can not go wrong. Absent any local or state law dealing with it, I would say it is not improper to leave the state flag on the pole and half staff it along with the US flag. That having been said, well meaning individuals can disagree as to the state flag being left there or not. Some might say it is a more effective statement for our weeping Old Glory to stand alone in solitude. She mourns a national event, after all. On the other hand, one might say that your great state mourns along with the nation. The state flag from that perspective represents the people of your state as they mourn in concert with the American nation. I always try to ask myself, "If The Flag could speak, what would she say." I think both are proper and The Flag Code leaves it up to the individual user and beholder. If you find it codified somewhere, please let me know. Absent any authoritative code or law, I don't think it can be maintained that either usage is correct or incorrect. Thank you for wanting to get it right.