Hurricane Katrina Remembrance Day

Governor Jeff Landry Kicks off Katrina Anniversary Week: Proclaims August 29, 2025 as Hurricane Katrina Remembrance Day

August 25, 2025
Baton Rouge, LA – As the 20th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina nears, Governor Jeff Landry announced that August 29, 2025, will be recognized across Louisiana as “Hurricane Katrina Remembrance Day”. To commemorate the day, Governor Landry and First Lady Sharon Landry are encouraging Louisianians of all faiths to participate in a statewide day of prayer on August 29, 2025. Governor Landry has also ordered that all United States and Louisiana flags be flown at half-staff on state buildings from sunrise to sunset. EO attached.
 
Hurricane Katrina made landfall on August 29, 2005, claiming the lives of more than 1,800 peopledisplacing hundreds of thousands, and causing widespread destruction across Louisiana. Yet, in the face of unimaginable suffering, Louisianians displayed extraordinary courage, compassion, and resilience.
“Twenty years ago, our state endured one of the darkest chapters in its history. But out of that tragedy, the people of Louisiana showed the world what it means to rebuild, recover, and rise stronger than ever before. This week, we honor the lives lost and pay tribute to the countless heroes who answered the call. As we remember Hurricane Katrina, we also recognize the incredible progress we’ve made to rebuild stronger, invest in preparedness, and protect the future of our great state,” said Governor Landry.

Honoring Steve Kuczynski

Steve Kuczynski – Connecticut Department of Developmental Services Employee

Reason: Flag Lowering for Steve Kuczynski, DDS Employee

Half-Staff Start Date: 2025-08-23

Half-Staff End Date: 2025-08-23

Full Details:

See source for full text

Source: Governor Ned Lamont

Honoring Judge Bruce Brown

Honor 18th Judicial District Division 10 Judge Bruce Brown

August 22 – August 30, 2025

TOPEKA – Today, in accordance with Executive Order #20-30, Governor Laura Kelly directed flags be lowered to half-staff at the State Capitol Complex and all court buildings and facilities to honor 18th Judicial District Division 10 Judge Bruce Brown.
“Judge Brown had a long career of service to his community and commitment throughout his tenure on the bench,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “On behalf of the State of Kansas, I thank him for his dedication to upholding the law. My sincere condolences go out to his family and friends.”
Judge Brown passed away on August 21, 2025, and flags will remain half-staff until he is interred. This flag order will be updated when the date of interment is determined.

Source: Governor Laura Kelly

Honoring Joe Reece Salter

Joe Reece Salter – Former Legislator and Speaker of Lousiana House

Reason: In honor of former legislator and Speaker Joe Reece Salter

Half-Staff Start Date: 2025-08-21

Half-Staff End Date: 2025-08-24

Full Details:

Governor Landry ordered U.S. and Louisiana flags to half-staff over the State Capitol and all state buildings August 22 & 24, 2025 in honor of former Louisiana legislator and former Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives, Joe Reece Salter.

Source: Office of the Governor of Louisiana

Tribute to Trooper First Class Dennis Dewayne Ricks, Jr.

Trooper First Class Dennis Dewayne Ricks, Jr. – of the South Carolina Highway Patrol

Aug 20 – Aug 20, 2025

The Governor orders that the flags atop the State Capitol be lowered to half-staff from sunrise until sunset on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, in tribute to Trooper First Class Dennis Dewayne Ricks, Jr. of the South Carolina Highway Patrol and in honor of his selfless service and supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. The Governor requests that the flags over state buildings and buildings of the political subdivisions of this State similarly be flown at half-staff for this purpose.

Source: The Governor of South Carolina

Honor of National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day

Reason: National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day

Half-Staff Start Date: 2025-08-21

Half-Staff End Date: 2025-08-21

Full Details:

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 honor of National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day. This day serves as a solemn reminder of the lives lost to fentanyl poisoning, the families forever affected, and the profound impact this crisis has on our communities. It is also a time to honor those working tirelessly to advance awareness, education, and prevention efforts in Virginia and across the nation.

I hereby order that the flags shall be lowered at sunrise on Thursday, August 21, 2025, and remain at half-staff until sunset.

Source: Governor Glenn Youngkin

Victoria Fire Department Firefighter Laura Zumbusch-Wood Memorial: Flags Half-Staff on August 21, 2025

Laura Zumbusch-Wood – Victoria Fire Department Firefighter

Reason: Victoria Fire Department Firefighter Laura Zumbusch-Wood Memorial

Half-Staff Start Date: 2025-08-21

Half-Staff End Date: 2025-08-21

Full Details:

All United States flags and Minnesota flags to be flown at half-staff at all state buildings in the State of Minnesota from sunrise until sunset on Thursday, August 21, 2025, in honor and remembrance of Victoria Fire Department Firefighter Laura Zumbusch-Wood.

Source: Governor Tim Walz, State of Minnesota

For Fallen Tremonton-Garland Officers

Sgt. Lee Sorensen and Officer Eric Estrada – Tremonton-Garland Police Department

Aug 18 – Aug 29, 2025

Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox has issued an order for the flags of the United States of America and the great state of Utah to be flown at half-staff on all state facilities in honor of Tremonton-Garland Police Department’s Sgt. Lee Sorensen and Officer Eric Estrada, who were killed in the line of duty.

Flags should be lowered to the half-staff position beginning immediately on Monday, Aug. 18 and remain at half-staff until sunset on the day of interment.

The Governor’s Office will send an additional notice indicating when flags may be returned to full staff.

The governor extends an invitation to all private citizens, businesses, and other organizations to participate in this recognition.

Source: Utah Governor Spencer J. Cox

In Honor of Sergeant Caleb Eisworth: Flags at Half-Staff

Sergeant Caleb Eisworth – Former Governor of Louisiana

Reason: In honor of Sergeant Caleb Eisworth

Half-Staff Start Date: 2025-08-16

Half-Staff End Date: 2025-08-20

Full Details:

Today, the flags of the United States and the State of Louisiana fly at half-staff in honor of fallen officer, Sergeant Caleb Eisworth.

He will always be remembered for his service and sacrifice on the Thin Blue Line.

Rest in Peace, Sgt. Eisworth. Please continue to lift up the Eisworth family in your prayers.

Source: Office of the Governor of Louisiana

Flags at Half-Staff at State Capitol in Honor of Lyndell Peterson

Lyndell Peterson – former state legislator

Reason: Flags at Half-Staff at State Capitol in Honor of Lyndell Peterson

Half-Staff Start Date: 2025-08-18

Half-Staff End Date: 2025-08-18

Full Details:

Today, Governor Larry Rhoden ordered that flags be flown at half-staff at the State Capitol from sunrise until sunset on Monday, August 18, 2025, in honor of former state legislator Lyndell Peterson. He served in the South Dakota State Senate from 1977 to 1994. Lyndell Peterson will be honored at the Central States Fair on Monday, August 18, 2025.

Source: Governor Larry Rhoden