Flag Status Alert: Maryland Flag will be at Half-Staff

This is to advise that Governor Wes Moore ordered the Maryland Flag lowered to half-staff from sunrise until sunset, Monday, May 4, 2026. This action is in honor of Dipakkumar R. Patel, a Maryland highway construction worker who tragically lost his life in the line of duty on Tuesday, April 28, 2026.

Source: http://sos.maryland.gov/Pages/Services/PastFlagStatus.aspx

Office of Governor Walz and Lt. Governor Flanagan
Governor Walz Orders Flags at Half-Staff to Honor Captain Willibald C. Bianchi

Governor Tim Walz today ordered all United States and Minnesota flags to fly at half-staff at all state buildings in the State of Minnesota from sunrise to sunset on Saturday, May 2, 2026, in honor and remembrance of Captain Willibald C. Bianchi.

“After more than 80 years, Captain Willibald C. Bianchi is coming home,” said Governor Walz. “His courage on the battlefield and his endurance as a prisoner of war represent the highest ideals of service. Today, we stand with his family and community to ensure his sacrifice is remembered with the dignity and respect it has always deserved.”

Captain Bianchi, a native of New Ulm, Minnesota, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on February 3, 1942, during the defense of the Bataan Peninsula in the Philippines. Despite sustaining multiple wounds, he continued to lead and engage enemy forces with exceptional bravery. He later died as a prisoner of war in 1945. After more than 80 years, his remains have been identified and returned to Minnesota through the efforts of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.

Individuals, businesses, and other organizations are encouraged to join in lowering their flags to honor Captain Bianchi’s legacy. The Governor’s proclamation can be found here [ https://mn.gov/governor/assets/05.02.2026%20Captain%20Willibald%20C.%20Bianchi%20Day_tcm1055-745378.pdf ].

Flags at Half-Staff

In keeping with appropriate flag etiquette and U.S. Code, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz may
order the state flag to be flown at half-staff under very limited circumstances. He may also order the national flag to be flown at half-staff on state property only. A state flag on state property is required by law to be flown at half-staff if the national flag is flown at half-staff.

Source: https://mn.gov/governor/assets/05.02.2026%20Captain%20Willibald%20C.%20Bianchi%20Day_tcm1055-745378.pdf

Flag Status Alert: United States Flag and Maryland Flag will be at Half-Staff In honor of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service, President Donald J. Trump has ordered the United States Flag to be flown at half‑staff from sunrise to sunset, Sunday, May 3, 2026. As a matter of protocol, the Maryland flag is lowered to half‑staff as well. No flag may be higher than the United States flag.

Source: http://sos.maryland.gov/Pages/Services/PastFlagStatus.aspx

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he is directing U.S. and state flags in Connecticut lowered to half‑staff from sunrise to sunset on Sunday, May 3, 2026, in recognition of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service, an annual ceremony that serves as the official national tribute honoring all firefighters in the U.S. who have died in the line of duty.

Accordingly, since no flag should fly higher than the U.S. flag, all other flags – including state, municipal, corporate, or otherwise – should also be lowered during this same duration of time.

During Sunday’s ceremony, which is held at National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Park in Emmitsburg, Maryland, 204 fallen firefighters from departments across the country will be honored in the 2026 Roll of Honor. Included among those being honored are two firefighters from Connecticut: Raymond A. Moreau of the Plainville Fire Department, who died in the line of duty on July 27, 2025, while operating at a fire at a residence in Plainville; and Todd G. Gagnon of the Cromwell Fire District, Local 4662, who died on May 22, 2020, after a brave battle with occupational esophageal cancer. Their names are included on a plaque that will be unveiled this weekend as part of the permanent memorial at the federal park.

Since 1852, there have been 364 firefighters in Connecticut who have died in the line of duty.

“Every day, firefighters face the possibility of risking their lives to protect complete strangers, heroically putting themselves in danger out of a sense of duty to the safety of our communities, and we should all thank them for the service they provide,” Governor Lamont said. “I urge everyone to reflect upon those firefighters who have given their lives in the line of duty, as well as the sacrifices made by their families and loved ones. The bravery and courage of our fallen firefighters will always be honored and respected.”

“When tragedy strikes, it is our firefighters who run towards danger,” Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz said. “As we recognize this year’s National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service, let us all take a moment to honor the selfless sacrifice of our firefighters and recognize the risk that comes with their job, especially the risk to their health. This year is especially meaningful, as we remember the lives of Plainville Firefighter Ray Moreau and Cromwell Firefighter Todd Gagnon. Both Ray and Todd were dedicated first responders who leave behind a lasting legacy. My heart goes out to the loved ones of our fallen firefighters and their beloved fire companies.”

Flags will be at half‑staff on the Connecticut State Capitol building and all other state‑operated buildings, grounds, and facilities statewide. Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, and any other private entities and government subdivisions are encouraged to lower their flags for this same duration of time.

To receive email alerts anytime the governor orders flags to half‑staff, visit https://portal.ct.gov/governor/news/sign-up-for-news-updates.

Source: https://portal.ct.gov/governor/news/press-releases/2026/05-2026/governor-lamont-directs-flags-to-half-staff-sunday-for-the-national-fallen-firefighters-memorial

Gov. Beshear Orders Flags Lowered to Half-Staff in Honor of Fallen Firefighters

FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 1, 2026) – In accordance with a proclamation https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/04/national-fallen-firefighters-memorial-weekend-2026/ from the White House and Public Law 107-51 https://www.congress.gov/107/plaws/publ51/PLAW-107publ51.pdf, Gov. Andy Beshear has directed that flags at all state office buildings be lowered to half-staff on Sunday, May 3, to coincide with the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service.

A joint resolution of Congress, approved Oct. 16, 2001, designated that each year, American flags should be lowered to half-staff in honor of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service. This year, that service takes place on May 3.

Gov. Beshear encourages individuals, businesses and organizations throughout the commonwealth to join in this tribute. Flag status information is available at https://governor.ky.gov/flag-status.

Source: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/04/national-fallen-firefighters-memorial-weekend-2026/

Governor’s Flag Order in Memory and Respect of Dr. Cerina Wanzer Fairfax Victims of Domestic Violence

In accordance with the authority vested in me as Governor, I hereby order that the flags of the United States of America and the Commonwealth of Virginia be flown at half‑staff on all state and local buildings and grounds in the Commonwealth of Virginia in memory and honor of Dr. Cerina Wanzer Fairfax and in memory and honor of all victims of domestic violence.

We remember Dr. Cerina Fairfax’s life and her devotion to others, her patients, and most especially, her children. We honor her educational achievements, professional success, service to our Commonwealth, and her deep love for her family.

We honor Dr. Cerina Fairfax by drawing attention to the reality that women in any community or circumstance may face domestic violence, and we lower the flags in memory of her and all women whose lives have been lost to domestic violence.

With a solemn commitment to helping those who face domestic violence or the threat of domestic violence, I hereby order that the flags shall be lowered at sunrise on Monday, May 4, 2026, and remain at half‑staff until sunset.

Ordered on this, the 1st day of May 2026.

Sincerely, Abigail D. Spanberger, Governor

Source: Email from: Virginia Office of the Governor on 2026-05-01T12:11:07.000Z

HALF-STAFF NOTIFICATION

Gov. Hobbs Orders Flags to Half-Staff May 3 and 4

National Firefighters Memorial Day and Arizona Peace Officers Memorial Day recognized

Governor Katie Hobbs ordered flags at all state buildings be lowered to half-staff from on Sunday, May 3, in honor of National Firefighters Memorial Day, and Monday, May 4, in honor of Arizona Peace Officers Memorial Day.

Governor Hobbs issued the following statement:

“We’ve experienced tragic losses in the firefighter and peace officer communities, and I know Arizonans will join me in remembering and honoring all of the heroes who died in the line of duty. We will never forget the courage and service of the men and women we’ve lost in Arizona, and we mourn alongside their families, friends, and all who loved them.”

Learn more about services planned from the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation ( https://www.firehero.org/events/memorial-weekend/memorial-weekend-coverage/arizona/ ) this weekend.

Learn more about the Arizona Peace Officers Memorial Day ( https://www.azag.gov/criminal/law-enforcement/pomb ) ceremony planned for May 4.

Individuals, businesses and other organizations are encouraged to join in these tributes.

For more information on half-staff orders in Arizona or to sign up for notifications, visit az.gov/half-staff-notices ( https://az.gov/half-staff-notices ).

To sign up for half-staff notifications, join our distribution list here ( https://az.gov/half-staff-notices ).

Source: https://az.gov/half-staff-notices

Gov. Kelly Armstrong has directed all U.S. and North Dakota flags to be flown at half-staff from dawn to dusk Friday, May 1, and encourages North Dakotans to do the same at their homes and businesses, in honor and remembrance of state Rep. Liz Conmy of Fargo.

Conmy died Saturday, April 25, at age 67, along with her partner, Joe Cass, in a plane crash in Minnesota. Conmy had represented District 11 in the North Dakota House of Representatives since 2022.

The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial honors the brave men and women of the fire service who gave their lives in the line of duty. Each year, the memorial observance serves as a national reminder of their sacrifice and of the debt owed to the families, departments, and communities they left behind. In 2026, the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend is scheduled for May 2–3.

In connection with the annual memorial service, the President is expected to order U.S. flags flown at half-staff in accordance with longstanding federal practice tied to Public Law 107-51, as has been done in prior years. Once the official presidential proclamation is issued, it will be posted here.