Des Moines, Iowa — Iowa Governor Terry Branstad has ordered all flags in Iowa be flown at half-staff from sunset on September 9, 2016 until sunrise, September 12, 2016, to honor those who perished in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
The governor’s directive applies to all U.S. and state flags under the control of the state. Flags will be at half-staff on the state Capitol building and on flag displays in the Capitol complex, and upon all public buildings, grounds, and facilities throughout the state. Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flag at half-staff for the same length of time as a sign of respect.
The September 11 attacks were a series of four coordinated terrorist attacks by the Islamic terrorist group al-Qaeda on the United States on the morning of September 11, 2001. The attacks killed nearly 3000 people. Two jet airliners were hijacked to destroy the two buildings of the World Trade Center in New York City, one was hijacked to fly into the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and the fourth was also steered toward Washington D.C., but crashed in a Pensylvania farm field when passengers tried to overcome the hijackers.
Sunday is the 15th anniversary of the attacks.
