Flags in Southborough and across are flying at half staff until sunset today, October 18, 2019, in honor of U.S. Congress Representative Elijah E. Cummings, of Maryland, who passed away yesterday.
(photo from Susan Fitzgerald)
Why flags are at half staff: October 18, 2019
Unfortunately flying the flag at half staff has lost its meaning. It was once reserved for the death of a president or past president of the United States. Then it was expanded to include “principal figures of the United States government and the Governor of a state, territory or possession”. It also now seems to include both active and retired members of the armed services.
What did this country do during WWII? Were the flags flown at half staff for more than 4 years? I do not recall the flag always being flown at half staff during the war in Viet Nam.
When my pet goldfish goes belly up, I’m going to contact Carolyn Dykema to get the governor to issue a flag lowering order. Probably not for a full 30 days.
When everyone is special, nobody is special…