Flags at Half-Staff to Honor Texas School Shooting Victims
It was an horrific day in Uvalde, Texas on Tuesday, May 24th, 2022. An 18 year old shooter walked into the Robb Elementary School and opened fire with a handgun and possibly a rifle. At least 19 students and two adults were killed.
President Joe Biden Lowered U.S. Flags
Late on Tuesday evening, President Joe Biden released a Proclamation lowering all "U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff at the White House and 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 through the United States and it's Territories and possessions until sunset, May 28, 2022."
Michigan Also Lowers Flags to Half-Staff
Here in Michigan, Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued a Michigan Executive Order and also lowered flags in honor of the shooting victims. The order reads in part:
The State of Michigan remembers the victims and stands in solidarity with the community of Uvalde, Texas by lowering flags to half-staff. Michigan residents, businesses, schools, local governments and other organizations also are encouraged to display the flag at half-staff.
Governor Whitmer released the following statement:
My heart breaks for the students, teachers, staff, and families of Robb Elementary School. The death of multiple students and the shooting of many others is horrific. Our state is in mourning alongside the parents who had their children taken from them today and the entire community in Uvalde, Texas.
How to Properly Lower a Flag to Half Staff
The proper procedure to lower a flag to half staff is to first hoist the flag to the peak of the flag pole for an instant, and then lower the flag to the half-staff position. The process should be reversed before the flag is lowered for the day.
Flags across Michigan and the United States will return to full staff on Sunday, May 29th, 2022.