Why flags are flying at half-staff, half-mast in Ohio on Sunday?

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has ordered that U.S. and Ohio state flags across the state be flown at half-staff at all public buildings and grounds on Sunday to honor the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service.

What is the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service?

The memorial honors firefighters across America who have died on the job or from injuries sustained while on the job.

This year, 226 firefighters are being honored, including 89 who died in 2023.

“When you lower your flag this year, you will recognize the brave men and women who died protecting their communities from natural and manmade emergencies and disasters and those who carry on the proud tradition,” according to the foundation’s website.

The foundation is based in Maryland, at the memorial park in Emmitsburg.

For those being honored, the foundation offers travel and lodging assistance for immediate next of kin, and family members’ meals are provided. The weekend is full of events and resources for these families. The memorial service takes place at 10 a.m. Eastern Time on May 5 and is livestreamed on multiple platforms for those who can’t attend.

What does half-staff mean?

When a flag is lowered to the middle of the pole, it remembers a sorrowful event or anniversary that impacted the public.

Half-staff always refers to the lowering of a flag. In contrast, half-mast refers to naval ships, according to the Naval History blog and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

When flags are ordered to be lowered at half-staff, they should stay at that designated height for 30 days unless the order specifies a sooner date.

When are flags lowered throughout the year?

Flags on public building throughout the United States are routinely flying at half-staff on these additional dates:

May 15 - Peace Officers Memorial Day (half-staff all day)

Sept. 11 - Patriot Day (half-staff all day)

First Sunday in October - Fallen Fighters Fallen Firefighters (half-staff all day)

Dec. 7 - Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (half-staff all day)

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Information from the Tri-City Herald was used in this story).

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This story was originally published May 5, 2024 at 5:55 AM.