All Star Flags September 16, 2013 | All Star Flags

American Flags are to fly at half-staff beginning Monday, September 16th through Friday, September 20th throughout the United States in honor of the victims of the shooting at the Washington Navy Yard today. Twelve people lost their lives today when a gunman opened fire at the Washington Navy Yard and many more were injured.

Created in 1799, the Washington Navy Yard is the Navy’s oldest land establishment. The Navy Yard was originally constructed as a shipbuilding facility that built and serviced some of the Navy’s famous early vessels. The facility was burned during the War of 1812 and was later rebuilt and transformed into a center for ordnance and technological development. Today, the Washington Navy Yard houses the headquarters of Naval District Washington and as well as a naval museum.

By order of The President of the United States:

As a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence perpetrated on September 16, 2013, at the Washington Navy Yard, 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, September 20, 2013. 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 sixteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord two thousand thirteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-eighth.
BARACK OBAMA

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Visit our Flag Facts page to see our newest article about some of the ways the military uses flags.

How the Military Uses Flags:
The United States Flag is known as a symbol of freedom and unity in America. Throughout the years, the flag has evolved into the familiar icon that it is today; complete with 13 stripes and 50 stars. Although the American flag is used to represent the history of the country and the fundamentals it was founded upon, there are also a variety of ways that the United States armed forces utilize not only the American flag but other types of flags in order communicate, commemorate, pay their respects to fallen soldiers and much more. These symbols play an important role in a variety of circumstances within the operations of the United States military.

American Flags and Iowa Flags to fly at half-staff Tuesday, September 17th in the State of Iowa in honor of Officer Jamie Buenting. Officer Buenting was a member of the Rockwell City Police Department who was killed in the line of duty Friday, September 13th. Buenting was part of a group of officers who were attempting an arrest of a suspect wanted on a felony domestic assault warrant. The suspect barricaded himself inside a home. During the standoff with police officers, the suspect fired a single shot which struck and killed Officer Jamie Buenting. He had been with the Rockwell City Police Department for eight years of a twelve year career in law enforcement.
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