Flying the Flag as a Mark of Respect for Victims of the Second Boston Massacre

This TV image shows the American colors flying
near the finish line of the Boston Marathon, shortly
after the terrorist attack.
(TV ScreenShot/Dick Bergeron)

On Tuesday, April 16^th, one day after the detonation of two improvised explosive devices in Boston, the flag of the United States flew at half-staff over the White House. 

President Barack Obama issued a proclamation to that effect, and the colors of America will remain in that position over the White House until the sun sets on Saturday, April 20^th, five full days later.

Yet, as of yesterday, when I drove by the Bridgewater Township Municipal Complex, the U.S. flag was still catching the wind in a fully raised position.  I thought that odd.  Today it is flying at half-staff.

After making inquiries of the Mayor’s Office and subsequently speaking with the Township business administrator, I discovered that the Township follows the protocol of the New Jersey Governor’s Office and plans to fly the colors at half-staff for one day only, today, Thursday, April 18, 2013.

On the other hand, I’ve also discovered that the Bridgewater-Raritan School District has been following a protocol consistent with the proclamation and order of the United States President and is flying the colors at half-staff until Saturday.

The Governor’s Executive Order applies only to state buildings and is silent as to those situated within other jurisdictions.

For what may be only the second successful terror attack upon U.S. soil since 9/11, whether of domestic or foreign origin, it seems to me wholly appropriate that the Township of Bridgewater now keep its flags at half-staff until sunset on Saturday. 

As Barack Obama stated while speaking today at an interfaith service in the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston, he explained some of America’s civic rituals, and strongly underscored how the Boston Marathon is part and parcel of those civic rituals. 

He said, “An attack on our civic rituals is an attack on those values.”

The lowering of the American flag, especially out of respect for national tragedies such as that which occurred in Boston on Monday, is clearly one of those civic values – one which needs to be sufficiently honored.

Bridgewater deserves to have America’s colors catching the wind accordingly until sundown on Saturday: 

Just like the President’s order that they be “. . . flown at half-staff . . . upon all public buildings and grounds . . . until April 20, 2013.”