Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs News

Flags lowered to half-staff in Wisconsin Sunday for 10th anniversary of 9/11

Date: September 9, 2011

Flags at Wisconsin National Guard armories, air bases and other facilities across the state will fly at half-staff Sunday (Sept. 11) as a mark of respect to honor the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and the members of the armed forces defending our freedom overseas. The Guard will render these honors in accordance with Gov. Scott Walker's executive order.

EXECUTIVE ORDER # 42 reads:

Relating to a Proclamation that the Flag of the United States and the Flag of the State of Wisconsin be Flown at Half-Staff to Honor the Victims of the September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attacks and the Members of the Armed Forces Defending Our Freedoms Overseas

WHEREAS, September 11, 2011 marks the ten-year anniversary of the tragic terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001; and

WHEREAS, it is important that we never forget those attacks on freedom and we honor the nearly 3,000 Americans who lost their lives at the hands of terrorists that day; and

WHEREAS, we thank the heroic first responders that saved numerous lives on September 11, 2001, many giving up their own lives in the aftermath of the attacks; and

WHEREAS, we owe a great debt to the almost 32,000 Wisconsin soldiers who have been deployed throughout the world to defend our country from the spread of terrorism; and

WHEREAS, since September 11, 2001, 117 courageous men and women from Wisconsin have given the ultimate sacrifice for their country while defending freedom in ongoing overseas combat operations; and

WHEREAS, Congress has designated September 11 of each year as Patriot Day and has requested the observance of September 11 as an annually recognized National Day of Service and Remembrance; and

WHEREAS, Patriot Day provides Wisconsinites a special opportunity for remembering and honoring those that lost their lives in the senseless attacks of September 11, 2001 and those servicemen and women who bravely defend our freedoms and values to this day; and

WHEREAS, it is important that all Wisconsinites reflect on the democratic principles of freedom and equality, as these principles unite us as Americans;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, SCOTT WALKER, Governor of the State of Wisconsin, by the authority vested in me by Federal and State law, do hereby order that the flag of the United States and the flag of the State of Wisconsin shall be flown at half-staff at all buildings, grounds, and military installations of the State of Wisconsin equipped with such flags beginning at sunrise on Sunday, September 11, 2011, and ending at sunset on that date.

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All Wisconsin state government facilities are covered by the governor's order and a 2007 amendment to the U.S. Flag Code now requires all federal facilities in Wisconsin to comply. Other government agencies, businesses and private residences with flagpoles may also lower their U.S. and Wisconsin state flags to half-staff during the daylight hours on September 11.