TUCKAHOE TALK
With Mayor John Fitzpatrick

Originally printed in THE TOWN REPORT May 25, 2007

Mayor John Fitzpatrick Memorial Day is almost upon us and summer will soon be on most people’s minds. Earlier this month I was invited to memorial events run by both the Tuckahoe police as well as veterans of our Village. The National holiday is the day to honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country. This year our parade will fittingly honor Robert C. Murray, a Tuckahoe hero who died in Vietnam and was posthumously awarded our nation’s highest award, the Congressional Medal of Honor.

Ongoing wars in Iraq and Afghanistan continue to add to the list of men and women who will forever be honored on Memorial Day, but is there no daily reminder to the public that soldiers are possibly dying this very day? As I march in the parade this year I know my eyes will be drawn to our flags flying at half-staff at each of our communities’ monuments and municipal buildings.

All of this has made me inquire as to who has the ability to order the flag flown at half-staff? And, more specifically, “Are mayors allowed to order the flag flown at half-staff?” Perhaps most or all of our veterans know the answer to this question, but for the rest of those reading this article allow me to inform you that no authority is granted to mayors. The rules state that the flag is to be displayed at half-staff according to Presidential orders or instructions, or in accordance with recognized customs or practices consistent with the law. The rules list the many dignitaries for whom the flag may be lowered, but additionally the President has ordered it lowered for events such as the recent tragedies at Virginia Tech. The rules also grant state governors the right to lower the national flag in their respective states.

After some research I have discovered that some mayors have either inappropriately or unknowingly ordered the flags of their municipalities flown at half-staff upon the death of a local hero or dignitary. Even the Green Bay Packers caused a controversy by ordering the flag above Lambeau Field flown at half-staff following the death of a famous football player, Reggie White. Many of the individuals who made these decisions cited the “in accordance with recognized customs” section of the rules. I have not found if any penalties were ever issued to those who ignored the rules regarding our flag. Some may say good intentions prompted these acts of tribute, but nevertheless they appear in contradiction to the rules.

One of the greatest liberties afforded American citizens is our ability to be a part of a public debate on virtually any issue. With that in mind, and with a sincere invitation for such debate, I would like everyone to know that if it were in my authority to lower the flag, I would do so to honor those soldiers currently losing their lives in our armed forces. Furthermore, I would keep the flag at half-staff until the war in Iraq and Afghanistan had ended. I wouldn’t worry about those in the public who might feel it was a statement against this war. In fact, my only hesitation would come from a fear that too often when we see something everyday we become desensitized to its meaning. But that fear alone would not stop me from honoring those who died for us. Honoring them Every Day . . . not just on Memorial Day.