This is where flags flew at half-staff in August

Introduction

If you are driving around and notice the American or Arizona flags flying at half-staff, you may wonder why. Sure, you know when a former president has died, but sometimes these are done in memory of a tragic event.

For all of 2020, we are going to tell you when and why the flags for the United States of America or Arizona are flown at half-staff. We'll also toss in those notices for other states as well.

The source for much of this information is FlagSteward.org

According to USFlag.org, which links to a copy of the United States Code, when the flag is flown at half-staff, it should first be hoisted to the peak and then lowered to half-staff. At sunset the flag should be raised back to full-staff and then lowered slowly all the way down.

The U.S. flag must be flown at half-staff for the following office holders or former holders:

• President of the United States or former president: 30 days from the date of death.
• Vice President, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, retired Chief Justice or Speaker of the House of Representatives: 10 days from the date of death.
• Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, a member of the Cabinet, a former Vice President, President pro tempore of the Senate, Majority Leader of the House of Representatives and Minority Leader of the House: From the day of death until the date of interment.
• Unites States Senator, Representative, Delegate or the Resident Commissioner from the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico: In the District of Columbia the flag will fly at half-staff on the day of death and the following day, in the state, congressional district, territory or commonwealth of the deceased, the flag will fly at half-staff from the day of death until interment.
• Governor: Within the state, the flag will fly at half-staff from the day of death until interment.

The Old Farmers' Almanac was also used as a source.

Aug. 31, 2020

Texas: As ordered by the Governor, state flags within Odessa at public facilities will fly at half-staff Monday, Aug. 31, 2020, in memory of the seven victims of last year's mass shooting.

Delaware: As ordered by the Governor, all state flags at state facilities will fly at half-staff Monday, Aug. 31, 2020, in observance of Overdose Awareness Day.

Michigan: As ordered by the Governor, all flags at government/public facilities will fly at half-staff Monday, Aug. 31, 2020 in honor of Monroe Charter Township Fire Department Captain Joseph "Joe" Liedel, who died while responding to an emergency call.

Wisconsin: As ordered by the Governor, all flags at state facilities will fly at half-staff Monday, Aug. 31, 2020, in honor of Deputy Richard "Rick" Treadwell of the Dane County Sheriff's Office, who died after contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty.

Aug. 30, 2020

South Carolina: As ordered by the Governor, all flags atop the State Capitol will fly at half-staff Sunday, Aug. 30, 2020, in honor of Chadwick Boseman, son of Anderson County.

Aug. 29, 2020

Michigan: As ordered by the Governor, all flags at government and public facilities will fly at half-staff Saturday Aug. 29, 2020, in honor of Detroit Fire Department Sergeant Sivad Johnson, who died while trying to save three children from drowning.

Kentucky: As ordered by the Governor, all flags at state facilities will fly at half-staff Saturday Aug. 29, 2020, in honor of U.S. Army Corporal Billie Joe Hash, of Corbin, KY, who was killed in action in December 1950. He remains were recently identified and returned to the United States.

Aug. 28, 2020

Arizona: As ordered by the Governor, all flags at state facilities will fly at half-staff Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, in honor of Tohono O'odham Police Officer Bryan Brown, who died Aug. 27, in the line of duty.

Kansas: As ordered by the Governor, all flags in the city of Olathe will fly at half-staff Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, in honor of Olathe's Mayor Michael Copeland.

Aug. 27, 2020

Pennsylvania: As ordered by the Governor, all Commonwealth (state) flags at government/public facilities will fly at half-staff from Thursday, Aug. 27, 2020, until sunset Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, in honor of firefighter David Closs, of Avis Fire Company #1.

Aug. 26, 2020

Oregon: As ordered by the Governor, all flags at government facilities will fly at half-staff Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2020 in honor of Lance Corporal Jack Ryan Ostrovsky of Bend, and Lance Corporal Chase D. Sweetwood of Portland, who were among nine service members who lost their lives in a vehicle accident.

Aug. 25, 2020

Wisconsin: As ordered by the Governor, all flags at state facilities will fly at half-staff Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020, in honor of PFC Evan A. Bath of the U.S. Marine Corps, who died in a training exercise in California July 30.

Aug. 24, 2020

California: As ordered by the Governor, all flags atop the State Capitol will fly at half-staff Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in honor of Richmond Police Department Sergeant Virgil Thomas.

Virginia: As ordered by the Governor, state (Commonwealth) flags at all government/public facilities will fly at half-staff from Monday, Aug. 24, 2020 until sunset Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2020, in honor of former Lt. Governor John H. Hager.

Aug. 21, 2020

Michigan: As ordered by the Governor, all flags at the State Capitol and across the 4th State House District will fly at half-staff Friday, Aug. 21, 2020, in honor of State Representative Isaac Robinson, who dies of complications from COVID-19.

Aug. 20, 2020

Illinois: As ordered by the Governor, all flags at state facilities will fly at half-staff Thursday, Aug. 21, 2020, in honor of former Governor James R. Thompson.

Aug. 19, 2020

Minnesota: As ordered by the Governor, all flags at state facilities will fly at half-staff Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020, and on the 19th of every month through the end of 2020, in honor of all Minnesota residents lost to COVID-19.

Vermont: As ordered by the Governor, all flags at state facilities will fly at half-staff Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020, and on the 19th of every month through the end of 2020, in honor of all Vermont residents lost to COVID-19.

Navajo Nation: As ordered by the Navajo Nation president, all flags on the Navajo Nation will fly at half-staff Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2020, in honor of Earnest C. Becenti Sr., an Army Veteran and Navajo Nation public servant who passed away Aug. 16.

Aug. 18, 2020

South Carolina: As ordered by the Governor, all flags atop the state Capitol will fly at half-staff Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020, in honor of Floyd Breeland, an educator and member of the South Carolina House of Representatives.

West Virginia: As ordered by the Governor, all flags atop the State Capitol and at state facilities across Wood County will fly at half-staff Tuesdays, Aug. 18, 2020, in honor of former West Virginia Delegate Robert T. Goldenberg.

Aug. 15, 2020

Texas: All flags across New Braunfels will fly at half-staff Saturday, Aug. 15, 2020, in honor of U.S. Marine Lance Corporal Guillermo "Willie" Perez, who was killed during the Amphibious Assault Vehicle training accident off the California coast July 30.

Texas: As approved by the Governor, all state and county/city flags within Hidalgo County at public facilities will fly at half-staff Saturday, Aug. 15, 2020, in honor of former State Rep. Sergio Mun͂oz Sr.

Aug. 10, 2020

Texas: All flags at city facilities in Beaumont, Texas, will fly at half-staff Monday, Aug. 10, 2020, in honor of Police Officer Sheena Dae Yarbrough-Powell of the Beaumont Police Department, who was killed in the line of duty Aug. 9.

Texas: As ordered by the Governor, all flags at Texas Parks & Wildlife Department facilities will fly at half-staff from Monday, Aug. 10, 2020, until sunset Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2020, in honor of Wildlife Biologist Dewey Stockbridge, Fish and Wildlife Technician Brandon White and State Wildlife Veterinarian Dr. Bob Dittmar, who were killed Aug. 9, while performing official state duties in the Black Gap Wildlife Management Area in Brewster County.

Aug. 8, 2020

Arizona: As ordered by the Governor, all flags at state facilities will fly at half-staff Saturday, Aug. 8, 2020, in honor of Phoenix Police Officer and Arizona National Guard Second Lieutenant Robert Dwayne Bryant Jr., who died Wednesday following an Arizona National Guard training event.

Aug. 7, 2020

Michigan: As ordered by the Governor, all flags at government/public facilities will fly at half-staff Friday, Aug. 7, 2020, in honor of Bloomfield Hills Department of Public Safety Sergeant Steven Splan, who died in the line of duty.

South Carolina: As ordered by the Governor, all flags atop the state Capitol, will fly at half-staff Friday, Aug. 7, 2020, in honor of Matthew James Clancy, Chief of Police for the Beaufort Police Department.

Aug. 6, 2020

Michigan: As ordered by the Governor, all flags at public facilities will fly at half-staff Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020, in honor of Michigan State Highway Patrol Trooper Caleb Starr, who was killed July 31 by a drunken driver.

Aug. 5, 2020

South Dakota: As ordered by the Governor, all flags atop the State Capitol will fly at half-staff Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020, in honor of former Attorney General Mark Meierhenry.

California: All flags at public facilities across the cities of Riverside and Corona will fly at half-staff from Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020, until sunset Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020, in honor of U.S. Marine Cpl. Cesar Villanueva and U.S. Marine Pfc. Bryan Baltierra, who died with six other marines and a Navy Corpsman in a training accident July 30.

Aug. 4, 2020

Washington: As ordered by the Governor, all flags at state facilities will fly at half-staff Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2020, in honor of Bothell Police Officer Jonathan Shoop, who died in the line of duty.

Aug. 3, 2020

Texas: As ordered by the Governor, state flags at government facilities in El Paso County will fly at half-staff Monday, Aug. 3, 2020, in honor of the victims of the Aug. 3, 2019, mass shooting in which 23 people were killed.

Aug. 1, 2020

Alaska: As ordered by the Governor, all flags at state facilities will fly at half-staff until sunset, Monday, Aug. 3, 2020, in honor of Alaska State Representative Gary Knopp.

Texas: As ordered by the Governor, all flags atop the State Capitol and at public facilities across Collin, Dallas, Grayson, Hunt, Kaufman and Rockwell County will fly at half-staff Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020, in honor of Justice David I. Bridges of the Fifth Court of Appeals District.