Flag Protocol for Active Duty Military Deaths

The following protocol shall be used when requesting the flying of the National and State Flags at half-staff to memorialize the death of a Florida member of the armed services while on active duty.

1. When a Florida member of the Armed Forces dies while serving on active duty, the chair of a County Commission or the Mayor of a City wherein the deceased resided or where the decedents’ parents reside (if applicable) may request at least 48 hours prior to date requested for flying flag half-staff in writing (including fax or e-mail) that the Governor authorize flying the National and State flags at half-staff for one day in front of the city hall, the county court house and the State Capitol. The request shall include: a) the date and circumstances of death; b) the date requested for flying the flag at half-staff taking into account the family’s wishes, the day of interment and other relevant factors; c) the date of enlistment, rank, deployment and relevant military history; d) the city of residence of the decedent (and spouse if applicable) and parents (if applicable); e) the contact information of spouse and parents (if applicable) including home address, phone number and e-mail address); f) any other information the family may suggest or request.

Such requests shall be sent to Harriette Jackson at 400 South Monroe Street, The Capital, Executive Office of the Governor, Room 209, Tallahassee Florida 32399-0001, Phone: 850 488-3494 or Fax: 850-488-9810 or harriette.jackson@myflorida.com and susan.smith@myflorida.com (see recommended form attached)

2. The Governor may authorize by proclamation (or other appropriate manner) that the National and State flags be flown at half-staff in the city of residence, the respective county seat and in front of the State Capitol for one day as declared in the Governor’s proclamation.

3. Pursuant to such proclamation, the National flag shall also be flown at half-staff at any federal installation or facility designated by the proclamation.

4. This protocol is promulgated pursuant to the authority granted by 4 U.S.C. Sec. 7 (m), which was signed by the President on June 29, 2007. This protocol shall be posted on the Governor’s Department of Military Affairs’ (DMA) and Department of Veterans’ Affairs’ (FDVA) Web sites. This protocol shall also be distributed to the state’s Veteran Service Organizations by FDVA through the Veterans’ Planning Group and all county and municipal offices throughout Florida. Once a Proclamation is signed, the Executive Office of the Governor will distribute the Proclamation to the Mayor and the County Chairperson, Mr. Gary Mote, Public Affairs Officer at the U.S. General Services Administration Main Office, the General Counsel of FDVA and Carter Johnson at DMA. Each of these individuals will distribute the Proclamation to their respective agencies, facilities or organizations as necessary and appropriate.

Please complete the Request to Fly Flag at Half-Staff [.pdf] form or the form provided below at least 48 hours prior to date requested for flying the flag at half-staff.