Flags at state and local buildings will fly at half-staff from sunrise until noon Monday.
Gov. Ron DeSantis has ordered flags lowered to half-staff across Florida in observance of Memorial Day.
In a memorandum issued Friday to Brian Fienemann, the state’s Director of Real Estate Development and Management, the Governor directed the flags of the United States and the State of Florida to be flown at half-staff at all local and state buildings, installations, and grounds throughout Florida. The order runs from sunrise until noon Monday.
“On Memorial Day, we honor the heroes of the United States Military who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country,” DeSantis said. “May we never forget the selfless bravery of the men and women who have laid down their lives to protect their fellow citizens.”
The half-staff directive follows long-standing federal protocol. Under the U.S. Flag Code, the flag is flown at half-staff until noon on Memorial Day and then raised to full height for the remainder of the day — a custom meant to honor the fallen in the morning and the living who continue their service in the afternoon. The split schedule is unique among federal holidays; the timing was standardized by a 1954 proclamation from President Dwight Eisenhower.
Memorial Day, observed on the last Monday in May, traces its roots to the years after the Civil War, when communities across the country began decorating the graves of fallen soldiers. It became a federal holiday in 1971. Florida joins states nationwide in marking the day with ceremonies, services, and remembrances.
The Governor’s office released a Memorial Day proclamation alongside the memo.
— Ed. note: This story was drafted with assistance from AI. Editorial judgment, sourcing, and final review were performed by Peter Schorsch and the Florida Politics editorial team.
