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American Morning

Ask CNN: Why are Flags Flown at Half-Mast?

Aired May 25, 2001 - 10:54   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ANNOUNCER: A CNN viewer wants to know: What would be the reasons for flying a flag at half-mast?

GARY TUCHMAN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Chris, first thing's first. Here's a fact you can use on "Jeopardy!": Flags fly at half- mast when they're on ships. They fly at half-staff when they're on land.

Now, why and when do we fly flags at half-staff or half-mast? Here are some of the major reasons: If a president of the United States or a former president dies, the flags go halfway up for 30 days. It happens for 10 days if a vice president, a sitting or former U.S. chief justice or speaker of the House dies. If an associate justice, a former vice president or a governor dies, the flag goes half-staff or half-mast from death to internment. And when a member of Congress dies, the flag goes at the half-way point for the day of the death and the following day.

One thing to keep in mind: All Americans are supposed to fly their flags at half-staff or half-mast on Memorial Day from early morning until noon.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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