Flag Lowering and Display

Contact

360-902-4111
FlagDirectives@gov.wa.gov

Press Inquires

Brionna.Aho@gov.wa.gov

Flag lowering 

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Governor Ferguson will direct the United States and Washington flags to be lowered to half-staff on these occasions:

  • National Firefighters Memorial Day, May 4
  • Peace Officers Memorial Day, May 15 (unless that day is also Armed Forces Day)
  • Memorial Day, the last Monday in May (flag lowered from sunrise to noon)
  • Patriot Day, September 11
  • National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, December 7
  • In the event of the death of a principal federal, state or tribal government official
  • In the event of the death of a principal civil rights leader
  • In the event of the death of a state government employee, or a member of the public safety community, killed in the line of duty
  • In the event of the death of a member of the armed forces from Washington state while serving on active duty

Other government entities, residents and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition.

In working with families of the fallen, we find it is most meaningful to lower flags on the day of the formal memorial services. This is the state’s standard protocol.

Please note that when the President of the United States issues a flag lowering order, the Governor will make a corresponding directive.

POW/MIA flag display

Every state agency, institution of higher education and every county, city, and town shall display the national league of families POW/MIA flag along with the state and national flags on certain days according to RCW 1.20.017, which was passed by the state legislature.

These designated days are:

  • Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day, March 30
  • Former Prisoners of War Day, April 9
  • Armed Forces Day, the third Saturday in May
  • Memorial Day, the last Monday in May
  • Flag Day, June 14
  • Independence Day, July 4
  • National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, July 27
  • National POW/MIA Recognition Day, the third Friday in September
  • Veterans’ Day, November 11
  • Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, December 7

If the designated day falls on a Saturday or Sunday, then the POW/MIA flag will be displayed on the preceding Friday and may remain up over the weekend.

Latest flag lowering notices

Directives issued by Gov. Ferguson