Washington, D.C. — Since until recently it had been nearly twelve years since a President of the United States died, people may have forgotten the protocol for our flag.
It has been custom to fly the U.S. flag at half-staff for 30 days after the death of a president. President George H.W. Bush died on November 30th. Soon afterward, President Donald Trump proclaimed that flags should be flown at half-staff for 30 days.
In his proclamation, Trump said:
“Even with all he accomplished in service to our Nation, President Bush remained humble. He never believed that government — even when under his own leadership — could be the source of our Nation’s strength or its greatness. America, he rightly told us, is illuminated by “a thousand points of light,” “ethnic, religious, social, business, labor union, neighborhood, regional and other organizations, all of them varied, voluntary and unique” in which Americans serve Americans to build and maintain the greatest Nation on the face of the Earth. President Bush recognized that these communities of people are the true source of America’s strength and vitality.”
The flag is to be displayed at half-staff at the White House and on all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions for a period of 30 days from the day of President Bush’s death. The representatives of the United States in foreign countries were also told to make similar arrangements for the display of the flag at half-staff over their embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.
