A tragic event took place locally, the Police chief in a neighboring town was killed in an automobile crash. I don’t have any details regarding that, I understand it is under investigation. I don’t believe it happened while in the performance of his duties.

A dignified return of his body was organized. Escorted by law enforcement, local citizens lined the route in tribute. The flag was lowered to half-staff. All of that is very touching, well deserved and appropriate. Honors rendered.

I mean no disrespect in any way. It’s just that when I see the flag lowered to half-staff my thoughts immediately turn to the reason for that. Under the US flag code, it should be lowered only for official state observances and for periods of mourning. The president, state governors and the mayor of DC have that authority. I’m assuming the governor of Maryland ordered that in this situation.

It is a very high honor to bestow upon an individual. For that reason, I often question the justification for doing so. My issue with that being the flag is lowered so often these days its’ rarely at full staff! And, in my way of thinking, that honor has been diminished by that. It’s like getting a participation trophy.

I realize that to those that knew the individual it doesn’t appear that way. I get that, it is an honor indeed to warrant that action. I just feel that it is an honor that shouldn’t be extended as rapidly as it is. It has become almost an automatic thing.

As a retired member of the Navy, I am offended by those that engage in what we call “stolen valor.” That is when you assume an honor, a medal, an accomplishment or whatever concerning military service that you haven’t earned. I’m just as offended when those honors are handed out like candy! It just lessens the value.

This is something that bothers me and I have written about it in the past. Today everyone calling themselves heroes! I’m a volunteer firefighter, a hero. The issue with that is when it becomes almost like a demand. I should get “special” privileges and acknowledgement. That isn’t supposed to be the reason you volunteer!

I’m not saying it is stolen valor when the flag is lowered to half-staff, the deceased have no say in that, I’m just saying if it is granted to everyone, the significance is lost. It’s an everyday thing.

There are five official days the flag is to be flown at half-staff. May 15 is Peace Officers Memorial Day. Did you know that? I didn’t. Memorial Day, Patriot Day I’m familiar with. There is a National Fallen Firefighters Memorial service the first Sunday of fire prevention week, I didn’t know that. Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day is also on the official list.

The flag code also designates official mourning periods for certain officials. The president, the vice president, justices and congress people. The length of time is set. For a congressman, the day of their death and one day after. It just appears to me that the lowering of the flag has become more of a political statement than an actual act of mourning.

We hear a lot of talk these days concerning equality. Well, there is a small problem with that. When everyone is equal there is no one to look up to. Are we all equally deserving of every honor? If so, honors mean nothing, just a gesture. I’m assured of the prize!

Our highest military decoration is the Medal of Honor. It was most often awarded in the Civil War. The number awarded in all other wars and conflicts has deceased over time as the criteria for being awarded that honor was changed. In the civil war the number awarded was about 1,522. Just 124 were awarded in ww1.

I don’t know. It just seems like the significance of lowering our flag to half-staff is being diminished. There is tarnish on the trophy! It isn’t a reflection of whether the person being honored is deserving of that honor, rather it is a reflection of the standard required. As for myself, I want taps played by a lone bugler as my ceremony. It’s an honor I have earned. I expect nothing else.