Half-Staff American Flags – Washington Navy Yard Victims
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
#FlagsHalf-Staff
