John P. McDonough, Secretary of State     ~     Brian R. Moe, Deputy Secretary of State

Flying Maryland's Flag at Half Staff - Date & Commemoration

The Maryland flag is flying at full staff. MD FLAG STATUS AT A GLANCE
Date Commemoration
Maryland citizens like to know whenever Governor O'Malley has declared that flags—both U.S. and State, are to be flown at half-staff. If you would like to be added to our distribution list, please click here. Our flag alert system will automatically notify you via email of any change in flag status.
 

In response to inquiries we have received, the Office of the Secretary of State would like to explain the recent implementation of Public Law 110-41. This federal law authorizes the Governor of a State to order that the U.S. flag be flown at half staff in the event of the death of a member of the Armed Forces from that State who dies while serving on active duty. To further honor the sacrifice of this individual, Governor O'Malley has ordered both the United States Flag and the Maryland State Flag flown at half staff.

State Flag Protocol
Tuesday, February 09, 2010 This is to advise you that Governor Martin O’Malley has ordered the United States Flag and Maryland State Flag flown at half staff on Tuesday, February 9, 2010, from sunrise to sunset. This is in memory of Sgt. David J. Smith of Frederick, Maryland, who died on January 26, 2010 while supporting combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
Tuesday, February 02, 2010 This is to advise you that Governor Martin O’Malley has ordered the Maryland State Flag flown at half staff on Tuesday, February 2, 2010, from sunrise to sunset. This is in memory of Charles “Mac” Mathias, Jr., a life-long public servant, a former three-term U.S. Senator, Congressman, and member of the Maryland House of Delegates, who died on January 25, 2010.
Friday, December 11, 2009 This is to advise you that Governor Martin O’Malley has ordered the United States Flag and Maryland State Flag flown at half staff on Friday, December 11, 2009, in memory of Army Staff Sgt. Matthew A. Pucino of Cockeysville, Maryland, who died on November 23, 2009 in Pashay Kala, Afghanistan.
Monday, December 07, 2009 This is to advise you that Governor Martin O’Malley has ordered the United States Flag and Maryland State Flag flown at half staff on Monday, December 7, 2009, from sunrise to sunset. This action is in honor of National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, in memory of the brave Americans who sacrificed their lives for the cause of freedom and security of our Nation.
Tuesday, December 01, 2009 This is to advise you that Governor Martin O’Malley has ordered the United States Flag and Maryland State Flag flown at half staff on Tuesday, December 1, 2009, from sunrise to sunset. This is in honor of Army SPC Christopher J. Coffland, of Baltimore, Maryland, who died on November 13, 2009 while supporting combat operations in Wardak province, Afghanistan.
Monday, November 16, 2009 This is to advise you that Governor Martin O’Malley has ordered the United States Flag and Maryland State Flag flown at half staff on Monday, November 16, 2009, from sunrise to sunset. This is in memory of Marine Sgt. Charles I. Cartwright, of Union Bridge, Maryland, who died on November 7, 2009 while supporting combat operations in Farah province, Afghanistan.
Friday, November 06, 2009 This is to advise you that President Barack Obama has ordered the United States Flag to be flown at half staff immediately in memory of those who lost their lives yesterday in the deadly shooting rampage at Fort Hood, Texas. The flags shall remain at half staff until sunset on November 10, 2009. Therefore, Governor Martin O’Malley has ordered the Maryland State Flag to also be flown at half staff immediately and remain at half staff until sunset on November 10, 2009.
Tuesday, October 06, 2009 This is to advise you that Governor Martin O’Malley has ordered the United States Flag and Maryland State Flag flown at half staff on Tuesday, October 6, 2009, from sunrise to sunset. This is in honor of Army Sergeant First Class Bradley S. Bohle, who died on September 16, 2009 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Sunday, October 04, 2009 This is to advise you that Governor Martin O’Malley has ordered the United States Flag and Maryland State Flag flown at half staff on Sunday, October 4, 2009, from sunrise to sunset. This is in honor of Marine Lance Cpl. Jordan L. Chrobot, of Frederick, Maryland, who died on September 26, 2009 while supporting combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
Monday, September 21, 2009 This is to advise you that Governor Martin O’Malley has ordered the United States Flag and Maryland State Flag flown at half staff on Monday, September 21, 2009, from sunrise to sunset. This is in memory of Army Sergeant First Class Duane A. Thornsbury of Temple Hills, Maryland, who died on September 12, 2009 in Baghdad, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Friday, September 11, 2009 This is to advise you that the United States Flag and Maryland State Flag are to be flown at half staff on Friday, September 11, 2009, from sunrise to sunset. This is in honor and memory of the lives lost on September 11, 2001 and to mark the eighth anniversary of that tragic day.
Saturday, August 29, 2009 This is to advise you that Governor Martin O’Malley has ordered the United States Flag and Maryland State Flag flown at half staff on Saturday, August 29, 2009, from sunrise to sunset. This is in memory of Army Sergeant First Class William B. Woods, Jr., of the Maryland National Guard, who died on August 16, 2009 from injuries sustained while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009 Revised notice: This is to advise you that President Obama has issued a Proclamation stating that the United States Flag shall remain at half staff until sunset on August 30, 2009. Furthermore, if the day of interment is after August 30, 2009, the flags will be flown at half staff on that day from sunrise to sunset. This is in memory of Senator Ted Kennedy, who died Tuesday after a long battle with brain cancer. The Maryland State Flag will, therefore, remain at half staff until sunset on August 30, 2009 and on the day of interment from sunrise to sunset.
Monday, August 24, 2009 This is to advise you that Governor Martin O’Malley has ordered the United States Flag and Maryland State Flag flown at half staff on Monday, August 24, 2009, from sunrise to sunset. This is in memory of Lance Cpl. Dennis J. Burrow, of Laurel, Maryland, who died on August 7, 2009 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009 This is to advise you that Governor Martin O’Malley has ordered the United States Flag and Maryland State Flag flown at half staff on Tuesday, August 18, 2009, from sunrise to sunset. This is in memory of Sgt. Michael W. Heede, Jr. of Edgewood, Maryland, who died on July 13, 2009 while supporting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.
Monday, July 27, 2009 This is to advise you that Governor Martin O’Malley has ordered the United States Flag and Maryland State Flag flown at half staff on Monday, July 27, 2009, from sunrise to sunset. This is in honor of National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, in memory of the Americans who died as a result of their service in the Korean War.
Friday, July 03, 2009 This is to advise you that Governor Martin O’Malley has ordered the United States Flag and Maryland State Flag flown at half staff on Friday, July 3, 2009, from sunrise to sunset. This is in memory of Army Sgt. Rodrigo A. Munguia Rivas of Germantown, Maryland, who died on June 21, 2009 in Bagram, Afghanistan while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Monday, May 25, 2009 This is to advise you that Governor Martin O’Malley has ordered the United States Flag and Maryland State Flag flown at half staff on Thursday, May 21, 2009, from sunrise to sunset. This is in memory of Army SPC Michael E. Yates, Jr. of Federalsburg, Maryland, who died on May 11, 2009 in Camp Liberty, Baghdad while supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Thursday, May 21, 2009 This is to advise you that Governor Martin O’Malley has ordered the Maryland State Flag flown at half staff on Tuesday, May 19, 2009, from sunrise to sunset. This is in memory of Former Delegate Pauline H. Menes, a Member of the Maryland House of Delegates from 1967 to 2007, who passed away on May 16, 2009. Delegate Menes was House Parliamentarian from 1995 to 2007, co-founder and first chair of the Women’s Legislative Caucus, and helped pass over 2,000 bills and policy changes during her 40-year career in the Maryland General Assembly.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009 In accordance with President Obama’s proclamation, Governor Martin O’Malley has ordered that the United States Flag and the Maryland State Flag be flown at half staff on Friday, May 15, 2009 from sunrise to sunset in honor of Peace Officers Memorial Day.
Friday, May 15, 2009 This is to advise you that Governor Martin O’Malley has ordered the United States Flag and Maryland State Flag flown at half staff on Tuesday, May 12, 2009, from sunrise to sunset. This is in memory of Marine Sgt. James R. McIlvaine of Olney, Maryland, who died on April 30, 2009 while supporting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009 This is to advise you that Governor Martin O’Malley has ordered the Maryland State Flag flown at half staff in memory of Chief Charles “Buck” Clough, Jr., Fire Chief of the Sudlersville Volunteer Fire Department, Station 6 in Queen Anne’s County, until sunset on Sunday, April 19, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009 This is to advise you that Governor Martin O’Malley has ordered the United States Flag and Maryland State Flag flown at half staff on Monday, March 16, 2009, from sunrise to sunset. This is in memory of Army Captain Brian M. Bunting, of Potomac, Maryland, who died on February 24, 2009 in Kandahar, Afghanistan while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Friday, March 13, 2009 This is to advise you that Governor Martin O’Malley has ordered the United States Flag and Maryland State Flag flown at half staff from sunrise to NOON on Monday, May 25, 2009. This action is in honor of Memorial Day, in memory of the brave Americans who have sacrificed their lives for the cause of freedom and security of our Nation.
Thursday, March 12, 2009 This is to advise you that Governor Martin O’Malley has ordered the Maryland State Flag flown at half staff on Saturday, March 14, 2009, from sunrise to sunset. This is in memory of Former State Delegate and Harford County Council Member Joanne Parrott. Ms. Parrott was President of MACo in 1998 and was an active member while on the Harford County Council.
This action is taken under the Protocol for the Maryland State Flag. Any question on the above should be directed to the Office of the Secretary of State at 410-974-5521.

Questions regarding these matters should be directed to the Office of the Secretary of State.

General Information

[flags flying at half staff]

The Maryland flag should be flown at half-staff:

  • whenever the U.S. flag is so flown;
  • when so ordered by county and municipal government officials on all property under their jurisdiction; and
  • on Memorial Day, when the U.S. flag and Maryland flag are displayed at half-staff until noon only; then they are hoisted to the top of the staff.