thoughts on flags lowered half mast for Whitney Houston

[asian1]

I have seen a great deal of commentary with regards to Gov Christie ordering the the Flag to be at half mast in honor of Whitney Houston. Basically, members of military families that I have spoken with at my job don't feel it was justified. They felt that the honor should be more befitting that of a fallen serviceman. What are your thoughts?

[King Of The Whole World]

I agree. I think its disgraceful. That is for our service men who fight for our freedoms. Its a very high honor and should be ONLY for them. Now what I worry about there will be another famous person that will die and they will be wanting the same thing for them, then it becomes a huge problem.

I have a feeling Christie did it because he needs some good rating numbers.

[RS277]

Disgraceful is an understatment. I am a police officer and live in New Jersey. Members of our US military who protect our nation, and my fellow officers who protect our citizens are killed in the line of duty all to often. I've yet to see the governor order our nation's flag lowered to half mast in their honor. Nothing against Ms. Houston, but she sacrficed what exactly for our nation??

[King Of The Whole World]

Disgraceful is an understatment. I am a police officer and live in New Jersey. Members of our US military who protect our nation, and my fellow officers who protect our citizens are killed in the line of duty all to often. I've yet to see the governor order our nation's flag lowered to half mast in their honor. Nothing against Ms. Houston, but she sacrficed what exactly for our nation??

I agree with you whole heartedly. Thank you for your service as a police man, your job is dangerous too.

[RS277]

I agree with you whole heartedly. Thank you for your service as a police man, your job is dangerous too.

Thank you for your support. I was deployed for two weeks at the world trade center on 09/11. So there's a reason why Im more so offended by Christies flag lowering decision. Seriously discusted.

[King Of The Whole World]

Thank you for your support. I was deployed for two weeks at the world trade center on 09/11. So there's a reason why Im more so offended by Christies flag lowering decision. Seriously discusted.

I don't blame you for being upset. If I remember correctly I think they lowered the flags after 9/11, which was a great honor for all the people that lost their lives that day. That was appropriate for 9/11 not Whitney Houston's death.

[Jungleroom76]

Have to agree with you all on this! While it is certainly sad that Whitney has passed away, lowering the flags to half-mast should be reserved STRICTLY for servicemen, police/fire officers and other people who serve our country.

As RS277 said, nothing against Whitney Houston as her death is indeed very tragic, but lowering the flags in honor of her? There surely must be another way Governor Christie could have honored her passing in the state of New Jersey? Perhaps something like this will be an incentive for the powers-that-be in Washington to change the laws so that flying the flag at half mast is only reserved for servicemen, officers, etc. That way, hopefully nothing like this will be done in the future for people who quite frankly aren't as deserving of the honor as others.

TCB!
Mike

[asian1]

I agree. I think its disgraceful. That is for our service men who fight for our freedoms. Its a very high honor and should be ONLY for them. Now what I worry about there will be another famous person that will die and they will be wanting the same thing for them, then it becomes a huge problem.

I have a feeling Christie did it because he needs some good rating numbers.

Agreed, I do believe Christie is being simply political and pandering to his voters.

[shelley.m.]

I'm not an American but I totally agree with Kingofthewholeworld.

[Tommy]

Flag Etiquette

STANDARDS of RESPECT

The Flag Code, which formalizes and unifies the traditional ways in which we give respect to the flag, also contains specific instructions on how the flag is not to be used. They are:

The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal.
The flag should not be used as a drapery, or for covering a speakers desk, draping a platform, or for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top.

The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard
The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, fireman, policeman and members of patriotic organizations.
The flag should never have placed on it, or attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind.

The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms. To store the flag it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.

The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary.

When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.


Note: Most American Legion Posts regularly conduct a dignified flag burning ceremony, often on Flag Day, June 14th. Many Cub Scout Packs, Boy Scout Troops, and Girl Scout Troops retire flags regularly as well. Contact your local American Legion Hall or Scout Troop to inquire about the availability of this service.


Displaying the Flag Outdoors
When the flag is displayed from a staff projecting from a window, balcony, or a building, the union should be at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half staff.

When it is displayed from the same flagpole with another flag - of a state, community, society or Scout unit - the flag of the United States must always be at the top except that the church pennant may be flown above the flag during church services for Navy personnel when conducted by a Naval chaplain on a ship at sea.

When the flag is displayed over a street, it should be hung vertically, with the union to the north or east. If the flag is suspended over a sidewalk, the flag's union should be farthest from the building.

When flown with flags of states, communities, or societies on separate flag poles which are of the same height and in a straight line, the flag of the United States is always placed in the position of honor - to its own right.
..The other flags may be smaller but none may be larger.
..No other flag ever should be placed above it.
..The flag of the United States is always the first flag raised and the last to be lowered.

When flown with the national banner of other countries, each flag must be displayed from a separate pole of the same height. Each flag should be the same size. They should be raised and lowered simultaneously. The flag of one nation may not be displayed above that of another nation.


Raising and Lowering the Flag
The flag should be raised briskly and lowered slowly and ceremoniously. Ordinarily it should be displayed only between sunrise and sunset. It should be illuminated if displayed at night.
The flag of the United States of America is saluted as it is hoisted and lowered. The salute is held until the flag is unsnapped from the halyard or through the last note of music, whichever is the longest.


Displaying the Flag Indoors
When on display, the flag is accorded the place of honor, always positioned to its own right. Place it to the right of the speaker or staging area or sanctuary. Other flags should be to the left.

The flag of the United States of America should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags of states, localities, or societies are grouped for display.

When one flag is used with the flag of the United States of America and the staffs are crossed, the flag of the United States is placed on its own right with its staff in front of the other flag.

When displaying the flag against a wall, vertically or horizontally, the flag's union (stars) should be at the top, to the flag's own right, and to the observer's left.


Parading and Saluting the Flag
When carried in a procession, the flag should be to the right of the marchers. When other flags are carried, the flag of the United States may be centered in front of the others or carried to their right. When the flag passes in a procession, or when it is hoisted or lowered, all should face the flag and salute.


The Salute
To salute, all persons come to attention. Those in uniform give the appropriate formal salute. Citizens not in uniform salute by placing their right hand over the heart and men with head cover should remove it and hold it to left shoulder, hand over the heart. Members of organizations in formation salute upon command of the person in charge.

The Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem
The pledge of allegiance should be rendered by standing at attention, facing the flag, and saluting.
When the national anthem is played or sung, citizens should stand at attention and salute at the first note and hold the salute through the last note. The salute is directed to the flag, if displayed, otherwise to the music.

The Flag in Mourning
To place the flag at half staff, hoist it to the peak for an instant and lower it to a position half way between the top and bottom of the staff. The flag is to be raised again to the peak for a moment before it is lowered. On Memorial Day the flag is displayed at half staff until noon and at full staff from noon to sunset.

The flag is to be flown at half staff in mourning for designated, principal government leaders and upon presidential or gubernatorial order.

When used to cover a casket, the flag should be placed with the union at the head and over the left shoulder. It should not be lowered into the grave.

[King Of The Whole World]

Thanks for posting Tommy, I forgot some of the rules of the flag, there are a lot of them. It’s important to remember these rules for the courageous people who have fought so bravely for our country. God bless the USA!!

[buttonhead]

I agree, i think Houston passing is not necessarily needed to be honor in such high manner...But when Elvis died , The flag was raised half way... or was it not ? Correct me if I wrong, i said so because some of the media said that about Elvis ... But to me personally, Houston brings so much joy, despite her battling her own demon., I believe she is a hero for so many of her fans..Just like the way Elvis, his music is / was / always been MY hero..

[elvia7]

I'm not an American but I totally agree with Kingofthewholeworld.

I want to say the same thing. Thank you Shelley.

I do not understand why this award!? Is Mrs. Huston spent
lives in defense of their country? Outrageous!

[cibetty]

I agree, i think Houston passing is not necessarily needed to be honor in such high manner...But when Elvis died , The flag was raised half way... or was it not ? Correct me if I wrong, i said so because some of the media said that about Elvis ... But to me personally, Houston brings so much joy, despite her battling her own demon., I believe she is a hero for so many of her fans..Just like the way Elvis, his music is / was / always been MY hero..

It's true Buttonhead, they did it for Elvis too. Maybe it was too much respect, I don't say she did so much for the country like a soldier who died. But it doesn't change the fact she was a very talented lady with wonderful voice. And talent always deserves respect, I think. And she gave so much joy with her music. It is sad her life ended in this way.

[King Of The Whole World]

It's true Buttonhead, they did it for Elvis too. Maybe it was too much respect, I don't say she did so much for the country like a soldier who died. But it doesn't change the fact she was a very talented lady with wonderful voice. And talent always deserves respect, I think. And she gave so much joy with her music. It is sad her life ended in this way.

You said they did it for Elvis too, was it for the state of Tennessee or for the country?

[cibetty]

You said they did it for Elvis too, was it for the state of Tennessee or for the country?

I read on many sites on net the flags were lowered half mast "in the states of the US" at the time of his funeral. Probably in all states then. In Tennessee they did it for sure, but I'm not sure about the other states. Anyway I'm not American either. I think for Whitney they did it only in New Jersey as I read.