2015 July 25: While I was out shopping today, I noticed that all of the businesses within sight still had their flags flying at half-staff to honor the military personnel who were murdered on July 16, 2015 in Chattanooga, TN. Observing these, it occurred to me that a photo would be appropriate to remember how our nation honored these people.
My camera, of course, had been left at home, as I did not anticipate seeing anything of interest to photograph at Walmart or Sam's Club.
Arriving home, however, I noticed that several of my neighbors still had their flags lowered. I quickly grabbed my camera and took a photo of one that was visible from my yard.
Alabama is following the federal guideline of leaving the flags at half-staff through today; while it is my understanding that Louisiana is leaving theirs until the end of July, and Florida is leaving theirs indefinitely until the last of the murdered servicemen is interred.
This is our President's proclamation about it:
START: 7/21/2015
END: 7/25/2015
US Flags at Half-Staff Honoring the Victims of the Tragedy in Chattanooga, Tennessee
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION
Our thoughts and prayers as a Nation are with the service members killed last week in Chattanooga. We honor their service. We offer our gratitude to the police officers and first responders who stopped the rampage and saved lives. We draw strength from yet another American community that has come together with an unmistakable message to those who would try and do us harm: We do not give in to fear. You cannot divide us. And you will not change our way of life. We ask God to watch over the fallen, the families, and their communities. As a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated on July 16, 2015, in Chattanooga, Tennessee, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon 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 until sunset, July 25, 2015. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-first day of July, in the year of our Lord two thousand fifteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fortieth. BARACK OBAMA
Such a great tribute that our nation is doing and we in the south, in my opinion seem to feel it more! Don't send me hate mail anyone, it's just how "I" feel! Ours are at half-staff until tonight also. An Instant FAV!
