Q: What is the proper way to raise and lower the flag to half-staff positioning? A: When raising and lowering the flag, bring it to the top of the pole for just a moment before bringing it into position or taking it in for the night.

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The national flag should be displayed at half-staff on the days noted below, or on other days by special proclamation of the United States President or New York State Governor.

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How long should the flag be lowered? On standard half-staff days except for Memorial Day, the flag is lowered at sunrise and raised back to full-staff at sunset. The flag is lowered only until Noon on Memorial Day. During days where a declaration is made in honor of victims, official declarations typically request flags be lowered until interment, then raised back to full staff.

The New York State Office of General Services provides the public with the opportunity to purchase the United States or New York State flag for a nominal fee.

Governor Glenn Youngkin ordered the United States and Commonwealth of Virginia flags be flown at half-staff at local, state and federal buildings and grounds out of respect and memory of victims of the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas.

Governor Kathy Hochul announced flags on State buildings will be flown at half-staff on January 24, from sunrise to sunset, in honor of Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation employee Aaron J. Peters. Aaron Peters, a member of the regional sawyer crew, was fatally injured January 17 while involved in tree removal at Golden Hill State Park in Niagara County. Click here to read the full Proclamation.

Q: Are there any requirements for flying the flag at night? A: The flag must be illuminated if it is being flown in the dark.

Governor Kathy Hochul announced flags will be flown at half-staff until sunset on January 29 in honor of fallen New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Police Lieutenant David J. McShane. Click here to read the full Proclamation.

Governor Kathy Hochul today directed flags to half-staff for fallen Syracuse law enforcement officers. Flags will be lowered from sunrise Saturday, April 20 to sunset Monday, April 22 for Onondaga Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Michael Hoosock and Syracuse Police Officer Michael Jensen, who were killed in the line of duty last Sunday evening. Click here to read the full Proclamation.

Governor Kathy Hochul directed flags on all state buildings to be flown at half-staff beginning at sunrise on March 11 until interment in honor of fallen members of the New York National Guard, Casey Frankoski and John Grassia. Grassia also served as a New York State Trooper. Click here to read the full Proclamation.

Governor Kathy Hochul today directed flags on State buildings to be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Monday, October 7 in mourning and honor of the victims of the attack on Israel one year ago. Click here to read the full proclamation.

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Q: How long should the flag be at half-staff? A: Usually the flags should be at half-staff from sunrise to sunset, but on Memorial Day it is sunrise to noon.

Governor Kathy Hochul directed flags on all State buildings to be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on January 31 in honor of fallen Fairville Volunteer Firefighter Dan DeWolf. Click here to read the full Proclamation.

Q: What if I can’t fly my flag at half-staff? A: You can buy a mourning bow (black ribbon) for the top of your pole and that will represent half-staff.

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Governor Kathy Hochul today directed flags on all state buildings to be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on March 16 in honor of fallen Genesee County Sergeant Thomas A. Sanfratello. Sergeant Sanfratello also served as a Board Member for the Town of Alexander. Click here to read the full Proclamation.