An observation on half masting

[Ex-Dragoon]

For those who are unaware of the tradition the CF raises the flags, ensigns etc to the top position and then lowers it to the half mast position for a set time period As a mark of respect for the death of either law enforcement, political, military personnel who have lost their lives. Here in Halifax on the base its no exception the flags are at half mast. What I have noticed over the past several years is when CF personnel lose their lives and the flag is half masted and rightly so, but I find when political or law enforcement personnel die and the flags are lowered it tends to be for a much longer period of time. Can one of the more senior members perhaps comment on why we tend to show more respect for others then our own?

This is not meant as any sort of disrespect towards those RCMP personnel that died in the line of duty this weekend so please don't even go there. It just seems to be uneven I find in gestures of respect.

 

[childs56]

good point. I always thought that you halve masted for the funeral day only and that was it. I was wondering that also. 

 

[Edward Campbell]

I think it is because we (you, actually, I'm now part of 'they' again) have internal rules.

Most government wide half masting is ordered on an ad hoc basis and, sometimes, it borders on the ridiculous. I recall a few years ago that a minister (Ms. Copps?) secured an order for all federal flags to be half masted to mark the anniversary of the Montreal massacre; that was in the period when it was not (is still not?) required to lower all federal flags on 11 November.

When something like this latest tragedy happens the government tends to over-react and order flags to half mast for extended periods â “ something akin to putting the Court into mourning, in the old, old days.   In fairness, the population demands some tangible evidence that 'they' care; remember Princess Di's funeral and the near global weeping and wailing?   Governments give people what they want.

The military's customs and traditions are thoughtful, dignified and appropriate.   'They' (we) should learn from 'us' (you).

 

[helene_alone]

Since this is a matter of national (and even international) standards, the half masting has a set of procedures and rules for who, when and for how long this needs to be done...
you can check this site:
http://www.patrimoinecanadien.gc.ca/progs/cpsc-ccsp/sc-cs/occasion_e.cfm
It is very explicit about those rules...
Hope that answer your question!
see ya!
helene
p.s. in our country, bare in mind that not much is left to the full discretion of a politician, any politician..there is a law, a statute, a regulation or a statement somewhere for every single thing!

 

[Inch]

I think it is because we (you, actually, I'm now part of 'they' again) have internal rules.

Most government wide half masting is ordered on an ad hoc basis and, sometimes, it borders on the ridiculous. I recall a few years ago that a minister (Ms. Copps?) secured an order for all federal flags to be half masted to mark the anniversary of the Montreal massacre; that was in the period when it was not (is still not?) required to lower all federal flags on 11 November.

When something like this latest tragedy happens the government tends to over-react and order flags to half mast for extended periods â “ something akin to putting the Court into mourning, in the old, old days.  In fairness, the population demands some tangible evidence that 'they' care; remember Princess Di's funeral and the near global weeping and wailing?  Governments give people what they want.

The military's customs and traditions are thoughtful, dignified and appropriate.  'They' (we) should learn from 'us' (you).

I think you're right Edward, we're a little more structured when we do it than the politicians, as you stated. I agree completely with your last sentence.

I don't have a clue where to look for the actual order, I'd guess the CF Manual of Drill and Ceremonial, but I've always been under the impression that the flags were to be half masted from the day of the death until the day of the funeral. The day after the funeral, they're all the way up again.

 

[hockeysgal]

while on the topic of half masts...
I was wondering how a member of the CF is suppose to pay respects to a half masted flag,  assume we should salute when in uniform?  and what about when in civvies?

thanks

 

[277to081]

while on the topic of half masts...
I was wondering how a member of the CF is suppose to pay respects to a half masted flag,  assume we should salute when in uniform?  and what about when in civvies?

thanks

You do not have to salute the flag if it is at half mast, however, you have to salute if it is during morning colours or for the ceremony at sunset, or while it is actually being half masted (I could be wrong on that last one but I don't think so). You can find more info about half masting in the Manual of Ceremony, I would give a link to it if I was at work, I know it is on the DIN.

Edit: Nobody would jack you up if you wanted to pay your respects to a half masted flag though.

 

[Blackhorse7]

In the RCMP, the flags stay half masted until the day after the funeral.  In this case, there were four separate funerals, the last of which was today for Cst. MYROL.  I expect that RCMP flags will be at full mast tomorrow.  Hope this helps....