When should the American flag be lowered?

The American Flag Under Attack
GREENVILLE, SC (FOX Carolina) -

The American flag holds a special meaning to Americans,and all those who fly it, high and proud outside their homes.

"I think my flag"s been up for 20 years now," said Stanley Webber, and Army veteran.

Webber is also thecommander of Post 200 of the American Legion in Boiling Springs.He said when a flag is lowered at half staff, someone of several different backgrounds has died.

"Politicians, like the President and all, it will be put at half mast, veterans that have been killed and all and also certain high ranking officials," said Webber. But is the flag being lowered too frequently, and for instances it was not initially intended to be lowered for?

"I do have a little problem on certain occasions that we put the flag at half mast, for different things," said Webber. He said the President and state governors are allowed to lower flags, and that is under the United States flag code.

"It"s our duty to do what they ask us to do," said Webber.

According to the Associated Press, in 2015the American flag was at half-staff somewhere in the countryon 328 days of the year.Some flag buffs have noted the high honor has been expanded over time, including celebrities and police dogs.

"These dogs are just as honorable as anybody else when they go in line and protect their handlers, protect the public. They get shot they are just as much entitled in my heart as anybody else," said Webber.

Last year flags were lowered for victims of extremist attacks, fallen soldiers, politicians and celebrities like Yogi Berra. But for Webber,whatever reason the flag is lowered for, it always has a special meaning to him.

He lost his father who also fought for his country and has a plaque for him below his flag pole."What he thought about this flag is why he"s there under this flag," said Webber.

He said he hopes those who were born in America and who have come here from other places, understand it"s significance,"It gives us the opportunity to do things we couldn"t do under some other kind of democracy."

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Source: http://www.wistv.com/story/32370462/when-should-the-american-flag-be-lowered