My mom and I passed a firehouse today where the American flag was at its regular position, but there was black and purple mourning bunting hung over the doors. I always thought that black and purple bunting at a firehouse meant that a firefighter had died recently, and that it always went along with the flag flying at half-staff. Does anyone know if there is a specific meaning to having the bunting, but not the half-staff flag?
4 Answers
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The US Flag is only officially lowered to half-staff when the entire Nation is in mourning, by Executive Order of the President. The Town of Municipality’s flag can be lowered for the death of a Fire/Police man/woman. In many cases a locality will indeed lower the American flag to half-staff, since it is such a distinctive and recognized symbol of mourning. BLACK and PURPLE bunting at a Firehouse is a generally a sign that a Fireman/woman died in the line of duty. You will also see their Fire-truck draped the same if it is serving as the “hearse” to transport the casket of the deceased to the cemetery for burial.
Hope that answers your question?
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Black Bunting
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It’s fine if some individual wants to fly a confederate flag at his house. Even fine is a private business owner wants to do the same. But to allow a confederate flag to fly at any government office or government entity like a fire or police station is not acceptable.