![]() Today on Memorial Day, we honor those who have given their lives so that we may live in peace and safety. Memorial Day is also a unique day in flag display. The National Flag is flown at half-mast (or half-staff) until 1200 noon and then raised to full staff. This is the only day that this is done. When half-masting the flag, the flag is first raised to full-staff, paused, and then lowered to about half way up the pole. Some traditions has the flag at about 1/3 down the pole or an "invisible flag of death" lower down the pole. The flag is usually not flown at half-mast on a ship underway and if flown on a flag pole with a cross bar, the lower part of the blue canton is even with the cross bar. At 1200 noon, the flag is then raised back to full-staff. Remember that when raising the flag, it is done briskly (but with respect) and when lowering, is done slowly. We posted a link to NTP 13 on our links page. This manual is published by the U.S. Navy to govern the display of all flags and pennants on naval ships and units. It is also used by the Coast Guard. Flag procedures are simply guidelines - not laws. The Flag Code is simply a code of respect for flying or displaying the U.S. Flag. There is nothing "illegal" about improper displaying the flag. We also posted a link to the Flag Code as well. Here is the regulation for half-masting the national ensign if the pole has a crosstree: NTP-13(B), page 8-1, section 801, b, 2 (2) Polemast with Crosstree - Flown at peak of pole. When at half-mast, the bottom of union portion shall be even with crosstree. If displayed with foreign ensign(s), the U.S. national ensign shall be displayed from the outermost halyard on right hand crosstree.
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