Flag at Half-Staff

I see the flag of the United States of America flying at half-staff fairly often. I almost always wonder for whom is this honor. Sometimes I am aware of the reason. I know there are certain days (you can check them out on-line) when Federal and State entities lower the flag to half-staff. I know that only the President of the United States or the Governor of a State can order the flag to be lowered to half-staff. I also know that it is lowered after the death of a President or former President, a Vice President, the Chief Justice or a retired Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, or the Speaker of the House of Representatives, or a Congressman/woman. Private citizens and non government buildings may choose to fly their flags at half staff to honor anyone. The Flag Code does not exclude any citizen, whether they belong to an organization or not, whether they are recognized very locally or regionally. There need be no authorization from the government for the private sector (non-government) to use the Flag to honor any citizen.

And since we so honor members of Congress, there is another time, in my opinion, when it should be lowered.

Gen. John Allen recently retired from the military following his post as the commander of the International Security Assistance Force, but the memories of the 561 troops who died under his command – and the many thousands who were wounded – have not retired from his mind. “I think about them every day; I think about them at night,” Allen told On the Radar. “And there’s a moment of reflection about those 561 empty chairs around dinner tables.” (Yahoo News)

Every time an American soldier loses his life in a combat related death, I think the flag should be lowered to half-staff. One might say, “well then it would be there most days.” Exactly! That’s the point. Why would we honor Congress persons, and not those who are “giving the last measure of devotion” to our Nation and to us.

Sour grapes? Maybe. But the death of every soldier killed in combat defending our freedoms is precious blood spilled on our behalf.

Remember: Only Jesus Christ, the Savior of mankind made the choice to die in your place, and only the American soldier who stands between you and the tyranny of evil men, makes the choice to forfeit his or her life on your behalf whenever necessary.