Seattle is half-staffed

December 7, 2004 5:23 PM

I noticed that flags were at half staff around my area today (Seattle). I haven't seen anything in the news about why. Anybody know why?
posted by Crackerbelly to Law & Government (10 answers total)

Pearl Harbor?
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 5:24 PM on December 7, 2004 [1 favorite]

I stubbed my toe.
posted by xmutex at 5:26 PM on December 7, 2004 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Geez, I did try google news with the string "half staff". *doh*
posted by Crackerbelly at 5:49 PM on December 7, 2004

Yeah, I was in mourning after seeing Ben Affleck and Josh Harnett's performance too.
posted by icontemplate at 5:51 PM on December 7, 2004

Here in OR flags flew at half staff due to the death of a national guardsman. perhaps he had ties to seattle as well?
posted by docpops at 8:02 PM on December 7, 2004

Yes, "half-staff" is preferred, as long as you're not talking about flags on ships or naval installations.

[/pedant]
posted by Vidiot at 8:51 PM on December 7, 2004

FWIW, my original Ask MeFi question about similar issues.
posted by werty at 9:44 AM on December 8, 2004

Vidiot, "half-staff" is prefered in the US. "half-mast" is prefered elsewhere.

On preview, after following werty's link I feel like a broken record.
posted by Monk at 9:55 AM on December 8, 2004

The Washington State Department of Veteran's Affairs Public Events Calendar includes [for the moment] the following for December 7th:

Remember: Fly flag at half-staff on Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
posted by WestCoaster at 11:25 AM on December 8, 2004

In Canada, the government has a handy half-masting site that lists the days that flags should be lowered, the regions affected, and the reasons behind the acts.

Kind of neat!
posted by lowlife at 11:34 AM on December 8, 2004