Missouri’s flags are flying at half-staff in May. Here’s why
If you’re wondering why flags around Missouri are flying at half-staff, it’s to honor the death of a former senator.
Former Missouri governor and U.S. Senator Christopher “Kit” Bond died Tuesday, May 13, in his hometown of St. Louis at age 86. Bond’s death was announced by Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe, who said Bond was “a skilled statesman, public servant, and a man who truly loved Missouri,” in a statement.
Kehoe signed a proclamation May 13 ordering U.S. and Missouri flags on all government buildings to be flown at half-staff until sunset Thursday, May 22. Then they’ll be lowered again a few days later for Memorial Day.
The Republican served two terms as Missouri’s governor and was the state’s youngest governor, first elected to the position in 1972 at age 33. As a U.S. senator, he helped secure funding for numerous projects in the Kansas City area, including a renovation for Union Station and a bridge over the Missouri River, which opened in 2010.
Why are flags lowered in Missouri?
There are numerous reasons flags are flown at half-staff, including celebrating a national holiday or the death of a state official.
The governor handles directives in each state. There are pre-determined dates for lowering flags, and the governor’s office will announce any additional dates.
Flag directives can be issued by the president for flags on federal property, which can be followed at the state level through the governor’s offices.
Missouri last lowered the flag Monday, April 25, following an order from President Donald Trump to honor the death of Pope Francis.
Here are some of the dates and reasons when Missouri lowered the flag in 2024:
- Feb. 10: in honor of former U.S. Sen. Jean Carpenter Carnahan, who died Jan. 30.
- May 4: in honor of Sgt. Colin Arslanbas, a Marine who died April 18 in training exercise.
- May 15: in honor of Peace Officers Memorial Week
- May 27: Memorial Day
- Sept. 11: in honor of the terrorist attacks against the United States on Sept. 11, 2001.
Dec. 7: Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
Dec. 30: in honor of President Jimmy Carter, who died Dec. 29
Eric Adler contributed to this report.
