For several months during the Winter of 1972-1973 I worked part time at a USDA facility assisting the maintenance staff in any way I could.?ÿ Being a starving college student I had very flexible hours.?ÿ During that period I was given the master keys to the entire facility as I was to be the first person to arrive for the day and handle the chores of turning on lights, checking to make sure restrooms were ready for business, inspecting the gages on the large boilers in hopes the heating system was working correctly, unlocking all the outside doors and raising the US flag on the very large flagpole in the center of the front parking area.?ÿ During late December the news reported that former President Truman was gravely ill and might die at any time.?ÿ Somehow they managed to keep him technically alive until December 26, so as to not interfere with the standard Holiday schedule across the country.?ÿ Flag etiquette required the US flag to fly at half mast for 30 days to honor a seated or former President.?ÿ I received instructions on the proper procedure ahead of time, so knew what to do.?ÿ All went along fine for the first 27 days.?ÿ Then, on January 22, 1973 for President Lyndon Johnson died.?ÿ I asked if I should fly the flag at one-quarter mast for the next three days, then go back to half mast for the rest of Johnson's 30-day period of honor.?ÿ The answer was, NO.
Way back when one of the former presidents died we were given the day off.
A Chinese friend of mine asked if a Vice-president died would we get a half day off.
One thing that irks me is folks who fly the Flag at their homes 24/7 and do not illuminate them at night as it's required protocol.?ÿ Worse is those that ignore them and let them decay into tatters. Some Vets are doing something about it.
