American Flags and Illinois Flags to fly at half-staff Thursday, December 26th through Saturday, December 28th in the State of Illinois in honor of Cuauhtemoc Estrada. Estrada was an Investigator with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office who was shot and killed while off duty when he tried to stop an armed robbery.
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American Flags and Massachusetts Flags to fly at half-staff Monday, December 23rd in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in honor of US Marine Lance Cpl. Matthew Rodriguez. Lance Cpl. Rodriguez died while conducting combat operations in Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. He was assigned to 1st Combat Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, California.
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#MassachusettsFlags
American Flags and Arizona Flags to fly at half-staff Friday, December 20th in the State of Arizona in honor of US Army Chief Warrant Officer Two Joshua Silverman. US Army CW2 Silverman died in a helicopter crash in Afghanistan while serving as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. He was assigned to the 3rd Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Aviation Regiment, 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, based at Fort Riley, Kansas.
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American Flags and New York State Flags to fly at half-staff Thursday, December 19th in the State of New York in honor of New York State Police Trooper David Cunniff. State Trooper Cunniff died as a result of injuries suffered during a traffic accident. He was a nine year veteran of the New York State Police.
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American Flags and Connecticut Flags to fly at half-staff Saturday, December 14th in the State of Connecticut in honor and remembrance of the 20 children and 6 adults who were killed a year ago in the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.
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American Flags and Missouri Flags to fly at half-staff Saturday, December 14th in the State of Missouri in honor of US Marine Staff Sgt. Eric Summers. Additionally, flags are to remain at half-staff through December 20th in Butler County only honoring Staff Sgt. Summers. Staff Sgt. Summers was assigned to the 3rd Marine Air Wing, Marine Wing Support Group 37, Marine Wing Support Squadron 372 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. His awards and decorations include the Navy Commendation Medal, with Combat Distinguishing Device in lieu of third award; the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal; and the Good Conduct Medal in lieu of third award.
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American Flags and New Mexico Flags to fly at half-staff Thursday, December 12th in the State of New Mexico in honor of Robert Baron. Sgt. Baron was a member of the Sandoval County Sheriff’s Office who died as a result of injuries suffered in the line of duty. Sgt. Baron had previously served as a deputy and a detective before achieving his rank of Sergeant. Prior to joining the Sandoval Sheriff’s Department, Baron worked as an officer for the US Park Service as well as a probation officer for Los Angeles County.
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Alaska State Flags to fly at half-staff Wednesday, December 11th in honor of former State Representative Niilo Koponen. Koponen represented Fairbanks in the Alaska Legislature from 1983-1992.
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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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#NelsonMandela
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
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#PearlHarborRemembranceDay