flags to Fly at half-Staff in Massachusetts on Sunday for Pearl Harbor Remembrance
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BOSTON – The United States flag and the Massachusetts state flag will be flown at half-staff across the commonwealth from sunrise to sunset on Sunday, December 7, in remembrance of the attack on Pearl Harbor. The observance honors the more than 2,400 Americans killed and over a thousand injured in the December 7, 1941, attack that propelled the United States into World War II.
This annual tradition serves as a solemn acknowledgment of the sacrifices made during a pivotal moment in American history. The flag lowering is a national sign of respect and mourning, extending to all public buildings and grounds, including those throughout Massachusetts.
Why are flags flown at half-staff?
Flags are traditionally flown at half-staff to signify mourning, typically following national tragedies, on designated days of remembrance, or to honor the deaths of goverment officials or members of the military. The practise is a longstanding symbol of respect and national unity during times of grief.
According to the U.S. General Services Management, the authority to order flags flown at half-staff rests with the President, state governors, or the mayor of Washington, D.C.
Half-staff vs. half-mast
The terms “half-staff” and ”half-mast” are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings. Half-staff refers to flags lowered on land, while half-mast applies to flags flown on ships at sea. Both signify a flag being flown below the top of its pole or mast as a mark of respect.
