NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, in honor and tribute to the memory of Gerald R. Ford, and as an expression of public sorrow, do hereby direct that the flag of the United States be displayed at half-staff at the White House and on all buildings, grounds, and Naval vessels of the United States for a period of 30 days from the day of his death. I also direct that for the same length of time, the representatives of the United States in foreign countries shall make similar arrangements for the display of the flag at half-staff over their Embassies, Legations, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and stations.
4 comments:
Quick look around town this AM and only seen 4 places w/ Flags at Half staff. Post Office, McDonalds, MGM motors and Wis-pak.
Come on people.
It's funny, NBC & CBS (Leno & Letteman re-runs) did not even break in when GRF passed away last night. ESPN, for gosh sakes, did!
CNN had really good coverage, I thought! GRF, though "a Ford, not a Lincoln" was kind of a mini-Lincloln, in a way, with all the repair work he did for the nation. And I think it was this great repair work that ultimately cost him his re-election bid in 76. A great pres, indeed!
Notice that this is a presidential proclamation. Flags are to be flown at half-staff nation-wide. Upon on the death of a prominent resident of a given state, Governors may also order that flags be flown at half-staff in their own particular state. However, etiquette does not permit ordinary citizens or local officials to order flags to be flown at half-staff. This is becoming increasingly prevalent and detracts from the overall tradition of flying the flag at half-staff. That tradition unifies citizens and bolsters the national identity. While the death of a student may be tragic, a principal cannot order a flag to half-staff. Neither can a mayor. And so on.
Anon 8:34
Pick up a basic flag ettiquette booklet and you will see that private flag fliers are expected and encouraged to follow the President's message regarding one months' mourning.
I note that the County Markets, the K of C and Seiferts cleaners haven't figured it out yet.
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