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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW New Medford library storytime event is all about senses ... Boys who started fires near school, vandalized playground equipment sought ... Bend businessman announces bid for Wyden's Senate seat ... New Medford library storytime event is all about senses ... Boys who started fires near school, vandalized playground equipment sought ... Bend businessman announces bid for Wyden's Senate seat ... SINCE YOU ASKED Since You Asked: Why does the flag fly at half-staff? MailTribune.com Writer Posted Feb. 4, 2016 @ 12:01 am Posted Feb. 4, 2016 @ 12:01 am » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> Recently I saw the flag at half-mast and it got me thinking. When did we start raising the flag at half-mast? What was the original reason? — Joyce L., Medford Half-mast, or half-staff, refers to a flag flying below the summit on a pole. This is seen as a symbol of respect, mourning or distress in many countries. The tradition of flying the flag at half-staff began in the 17th century in what is now modern-day Canada. Some sources say the flag is lowered to make room for an “invisible flag of death” flying above. In the United States, the president (or a governor, for that matter) issues a order to fly the flag at half-staff upon the death of certain important figures of the government and others. This is to show respect to their memory. Joyce, the Since You Asked team has an additional nugget of information for you. In the United States, the correct non-nautical term is half-staff. Despite the fact that most people use the term half-mast, United States law and military tradition indicate half-mast is reserved to usage on a ship. Pass on this information if you ever want to impress your friends — as long as you’re not aboard a ship when you do. Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Feb. 4, 2016 @ 12:01 am » Comment or view comments Terms of Service /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501