All Star Flags Flag Half-Staff Announcements | All Star Flags - Part 12

American Flags to fly at half-staff Friday, December 6th through Monday, December 9th throughout the United States in honor of Nelson Mandela. Mandela who was once a prisoner and rose to become President in South Africa will be forever remembered for his passion and actions in striving for freedom and peace for all.

DEATH OF NELSON MANDELA
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION

Today, the United States has lost a close friend, South Africa has lost an incomparable liberator, and the world has lost an inspiration for freedom, justice, and human dignity — Nelson Mandela is no longer with us, he belongs to the ages.

Nelson Mandela achieved more than could be expected of any man. His own struggle inspired others to believe in the promise of a better world, and the rightness of reconciliation. Through his fierce dignity and unbending will to sacrifice his own freedom for the freedom of others, he transformed South Africa — and moved the entire world. His journey from a prisoner to a President embodied the promise that human beings — and countries — can change for the better. His commitment to transfer power and reconcile with those who jailed him set an example that all humanity should aspire to, whether in the life of nations or our own personal lives.

While we mourn his loss, we will forever honor Nelson Mandela’s memory. He left behind a South Africa that is free and at peace with itself — a close friend and partner of the United States. And his memory will be kept in the hearts of billions who have been lifted up by the power of his example.

We will not see the likes of Nelson Mandela again. It falls to us to carry forward the example that he set — to make decisions guided not by hate, but by love; to never discount the difference that one person can make; and to strive for a future that is worthy of his sacrifice. For now, let us pause and give thanks for the fact that Nelson Mandela lived — a man who took history in his hands, and bent the arc of the moral universe toward justice.

As a mark of respect for the memory of Nelson Mandela, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and 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, December 9, 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 fifth day of December, 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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American Flags to fly at half-staff Saturday, December 7th throughout the United States in honor of 2013 National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. We honor the lives of those that battled and perished in the dreadful attack on Pearl Harbor.

NATIONAL PEARL HARBOR REMEMBRANCE DAY, 2013
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION

More than seven decades ago, on a calm Sunday morning, our Nation was attacked without warning or provocation. The bombs that fell on the island of Oahu took almost 2,400 American lives, damaged our Pacific Fleet, challenged our resilience, and tested our resolve. On National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, we honor the men and women who selflessly sacrificed for our country, and we show our enduring gratitude to all who fought to defend freedom against the forces of tyranny and oppression in the Second World War.

In remembrance of Pearl Harbor and to defend our Nation against future attacks, scores of young Americans enlisted in the United States military. In battle after battle, our troops fought with courage and honor. They took the Pacific theater island by island, and eventually swept through Europe, liberating nations as they progressed. Because of their extraordinary valor, America emerged from this test as we always do — stronger than ever before.

We also celebrate those who served and sacrificed on the home front — from families who grew Victory Gardens or donated to the war effort to women who joined the assembly line alongside workers of every background and realized their own power to build a brighter world. Together, our Greatest Generation overcame the Great Depression, and built the largest middle class and strongest economy in history.

Today, with solemn pride and reverence, let us remember those who fought and died at Pearl Harbor, acknowledge everyone who carried their legacy forward, and reaffirm our commitment to upholding the ideals for which they served.

The Congress, by Public Law 103-308, as amended, has designated December 7 of each year as “National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.”

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim December 7, 2013, as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day. I encourage all Americans to observe this solemn day of remembrance and to honor our military, past and present, with appropriate ceremonies and activities. I urge all Federal agencies and interested organizations, groups, and individuals to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff this December 7 in honor of those American patriots who died as a result of their service at Pearl Harbor.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifth day of December, 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
#AmericanFlags
#PearlHarborRemembranceDay

Pennsylvania Flags to fly at half-staff Monday, November 25th at the Capitol Complex and at commonwealth facilities in Wyoming County in honor of Russell Gow III.  First Assistant Fire Chief Russell Gow III served with the Factoryville Fire Company for more than 40 years.  He lost his life in the line of duty while fighting a house fire last Thursday.
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American Flags to fly at half-staff throughout the United States on Friday, November 22nd in honor of a Day of Remembrance for President John F. Kennedy.  This year, 2013, marks the 50th Anniversary of the Assassination of President Kennedy.

DAY OF REMEMBRANCE FOR PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY – BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA – A PROCLAMATION

A half century ago, America mourned the loss of an extraordinary public servant. With broad vision and soaring but sober idealism, President John F. Kennedy had called a generation to service and summoned a Nation to greatness. Today, we honor his memory and celebrate his enduring imprint on American history.

In his 3 years as President of the United States, John F. Kennedy weathered some of the most perilous tests of the Cold War and led America to the cusp of a bright new age. His leadership through the Cuban Missile Crisis remains the standard for American diplomacy at its finest. In a divided Berlin, he delivered a stirring defense of freedom that would echo through the ages, yet he also knew that we must advance human rights here at home. During his final year in office, he proposed a civil rights bill that called for an end to segregation in America. And recognizing women’s basic right to earn a living equal to their efforts, he signed the Equal Pay Act into law.

While President Kennedy’s life was tragically cut short, his vision lives on in the generations he inspired — volunteers who serve as ambassadors for peace in distant corners of the globe, scientists and engineers who reach for new heights in the face of impossible odds, innovators who set their sights on the new frontiers of our time. Today and in the decades to come, let us carry his legacy forward. Let us face today’s tests by beckoning the spirit he embodied — that fearless, resilient, uniquely American character that has always driven our Nation to defy the odds, write our own destiny, and make the world anew.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 22, 2013, as a Day of Remembrance for President John F. Kennedy. I call upon all Americans to honor his life and legacy with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities. I also call upon Governors of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, officials of the other territories subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, and appropriate officials of all units of government, to direct that the flag be flown at half-staff on the Day of Remembrance for President John F. Kennedy. I further encourage all Americans to display the flag at half-staff from their homes and businesses on that day.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this Twenty-first day of November, 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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#AmericanFlags
#JFK

American Flags and Illinois Flags to fly at half-staff Friday, November 22nd in the State of Illinois in remembrance of the 50th Anniversary of the Assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
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#AmericanFlags
#IllinoisFlags
#JFK

Alaska State Flags to fly at half-staff Thursday, November 14th in honor of former state legislator Elton Engstrom Jr. Engstrom served in the Alaska House of Representatives from 1965 – 1967 and the Alaska Senate from 1967 – 1971.
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American Flags and Kansas Flags to fly at half-staff Thursday, November 14th in the State of Kansas in honor of US Army Sergeant First Class Forrest Robertson. SFC Robertson died as a result of injuries suffered when his patrol was attacked with small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades while serving in Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. Roberston was assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia.
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Maryland State Flags to fly at half-staff Tuesday, November 11th through Saturday, November 16th in honor of David Barr Jr. Barr was a 13 year veteran of the Perryville Community Fire Department. He died as a result of injuries suffered in the line of duty when he was directing traffic at the scene of a crash and was struck by a vehicle.
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American Flags and Oregon Flags to fly at half-staff Thursday, November 14th in the State of Oregon in honor of Officer Robert Libke. Libke was a police officer for the Oregon City Police Department who was killed in the line of duty when he was fatally shot while responding to a call.
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#OregonFlags

American Flags and Nebraska Flags to fly at half-staff Friday, November 8th in the State of Nebraska in honor of former Congressman John McCollister. McCollister served in the US Navy during World War II and served three terms in the US House of Representatives representing his district in Nebraska.
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#NebraskaFlags