Anyone else wonder why we (the CG) do not half mast the national ensign on board CG units for deceased members of our service?

I recall back as a station OOD, continuously reading CGMS traffic to half mast the ensign for deceased senators, border patrol agents and even soldiers that were killed in Iraq.

WTF? Why don't we remember our own?

What the hell is going service is the Coast Guard from 1790 to today . Half Masting is Mandatory (sp)

I believe we do

ALCOAST 426/08
COMDTNOTE 5060
SUBJ: HALF MASTING OF NATIONAL ENSIGN
A. COMDTINST M5000.3(SERIES), USCG REGULATIONS, CHAPTER 14
1. IAW REF A, THE NATIONAL ENSIGN OF THE UNITED STATES SHALL BE FLOWN
AT HALF MAST BEGINNING IMMEDIATELY, THROUGH MONDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2008
IN HONOR OF THE CREW OF CG-6505 LOST IN THE VICINITY OF HONOLULU
YESTERDAY EVENING.
2. THE NATIONAL ENSIGN SHALL BE FLOWN AT HALF MAST ON ALL COAST GUARD
BUILDINGS, GROUNDS, AND VESSELS NOT UNDERWAY.
3. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.

Great job detective, try to find another one.

Well, rusty, I'm not a detective such as yourself, but I did find this with relative ease...

ALCOAST 205/04
COMDTNOTE 01000
SUBJ: DC3 NATHAN BRUCKENTHAL, USCG

1. On 25 April, DC3 Nathan Bruckenthal and two USN sailors, PO1 Michael Pernaselli and PO2 Christopher Watts, were killed in the line of duty while conducting maritime intercept operations in the North Arabian Gulf.

2. DC3 Bruckenthal was a proud Coast Guardsman who served his country and his fellow man with honor and compassion. He willingly entered into harms way to protect our nation and his fellow servicemen from terrorists and to assist the people of Iraq as they pursue freedom and democracy. By his actions, he exemplified honor, respect and most especially, devotion to duty. We should never forget his sacrifices or the legacy he will leave behind. While no words can adequately console his wife, patty, or his parents during this very difficult time, I ask you to please keep the Bruckenthal family in your thoughts and prayers.

3. PO Bruckenthal will be buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery at 1100 on 07 May 2004.

4. Operations permitting, Coast Guard units shall observe a moment of silence at 1100 on 07 May in memory of DC3 Bruckenthal and all our service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice serving our nation with honor. All coast guard units, not underway, shall display the national ensign at half-mast from 1100 until 1300 on 07 May 2004.

5. In true Coast Guard fashion, numerous inquiries have been made regarding donations and letters of condolences for the Bruckenthal family. Donations should be sent to:

The Nathan Bruckenthal Memorial Trust Fund
P. O. Box Box 398
Northport, NY 11768

If any unit has already received donations, contact your servicing legal office for additional guidance. Letters of sympathy and condolences may be sent to:
U. S. Coast Guard
Richmond Hts. MWR Rec. Center
15403 SW 123 Avenue
Miami, FL 33177
Attn: Family Of Nathan Bruckenthal

6. Internet release authorized.

7. Admiral Thomas H. Collins, Commandant.

Now... I'm sure someone will have some complaint; they ALWAYS do.

We certainly don't do it routinely.

My friend, I consider that a good thing. A VERY good thing indeed. I hope I never have to see another one.

Rusty;
Becuase we follow CG REGS. See Chapter 14.

Becuase we have also agreed to follow DOD DIRECTIVE 1005.6 (which admitidly in cases contradicts CG REGS)

Because we also follow other orders from the President.

And frankly, it is rare that we have a death in the service of a person who actually rates a 'national' level honor. Flag & General level Officers are the only ones that rate the National Level Honors. When you read CG REGS Ch 14, you will see other occurences when you have already been ordered to do so locally.

Of course, since the Comdt 'signed' CG REGs, he or she may choose to require modifications to them from time to time, like the ones above.

A better question is how to properly fly the flag at half mast. It has been my understanding that the bottom of the blue field should line up with the horizontal part of the yardarm?
CWO A

A common mistake for sure... The bottom of the canton (the blue field) should be even with the cross tree (the horizontal portion).

quote:

the bottom of the blue field should line up with the horizontal part of the yardarm?

quote:

The bottom of the canton (the blue field) should be even with the cross tree (the horizontal portion).

Did you both say the same thing or am I missing something?

Nope. You are right. We both said exactly the same thing. My friend above was just using the less common names. My listing included the nomenclature as mentioned in NTP 13.

I wasn't saying he was wrong at all. Only using correct terminology....

Having seen many variations of improperly flown National Ensigns at half mast aboard CG units (and making phone calls to rectify the problem), shall we start throwing units under the bus by posting pictures!
CWO A

quote:

Posted Wed 09 September 2009 10:53 AM Hide Post
Great job detective, try to find another one.

You have to be rude to a Commander, an ex-stewburner at that, Rusty. Oh yeah that's right you're anonymous so you can be tough on the internet.

Senior, I'm good, I think we generally do a good job at this and thankfully we don't have to do it too often. Here are a few more:


ALCOAST 115/08
COMDTNOTE 5060
SUBJ: HALF MASTING OF NATIONAL ENSIGN
A. COMDTINST M5000.3(SERIES), USCG REGULATIONS, CHAPTER 14
1. IAW REF A, THE NATIONAL ENSIGN SHALL BE FLOWN AT HALF MAST ON
MONDAY, 10 MARCH, 2008, FROM SUNRISE TO SUNSET, IN HONOR OF RADM J.
DAVID SPADE, USCG, RETIRED.
2. THE NATIONAL ENSIGN SHALL BE FLOWN AT HALF MAST ON ALL COAST GUARD
BUILDINGS, GROUNDS, AND VESSELS NOT UNDERWAY.
3. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.


SUBJ: HALF-MAST OF NATIONAL ENSIGN IN HONOR OF CG FLAG OFFICER
A. USCG REGULATIONS, COMDTINST M5000.3(SERIES), ART 14-8-7
1. THE COMMANDANT ANNOUNCES WITH REGRET THE DEATH OF VICE ADMIRAL
WAYNE E CALDWELL, ON SATURDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2009 IN ELLICOTT CITY,
MD. VADM CALDWELL RETIRED 1 JULY 1984.
2. BY ORDER OF THE COMMANDANT AND IAW REF A, IN HONOR OF VADM
CALDWELL THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES WILL BE FLOWN AT HALF MAST
ON ALL COAST GUARD BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS AND ABOARD VESSELS NOT
UNDERWAY, ON TUESDAY 26 MAY 2009.
3. VADM CALDWELL WILL BE INTERRED AT ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
WITH FULL HONORS DUE A FLAG OFFICER. THE FUNERAL IS SCHEDULED FOR
TUESDAY 26 MAY 2009. AT 1300 A FUNERAL SERVICE WILL BEGIN AT THE
FORT MYER OLD POST CHAPEL. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE SERVICE THE
FUNERAL PARTY WILL PROCESS THROUGH ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY. A
BRIEF GRAVESIDE SERVICE WILL FOLLOW.
4. UNIFORM FOR COAST GUARD FRIENDS AND MOURNERS WILL BE SERVICE
DRESS BLUE BRAVO WITH COMBINATION CAP.
5. DISTRICT COMMANDERS SHOULD TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION TO ADVISE
SENIOR RETIRED OFFICERS RESIDING IN THEIR DISTRICTS. HEADQUARTERS
SUPPORT COMMAND (A-4) IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE AREA OF WASHINGTON,
DC.
6. MR. CURTIS B. ODOM, DIRECTOR OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT, SENDS.
7. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.

ALCOAST 596/08
COMDTNOTE 5060
SUBJ: HALF MASTING OF NATIONAL ENSIGN
A. U.S. COAST GUARD REGULATIONS 1992, COMDTINST M5000.3 (SERIES)
1. AS DIRECTED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, THE NATIONAL
ENSIGN SHALL BE FLOWN AT HALF MAST ON SUNDAY, 7 DECEMBER 2008, FROM
SUNRISE TO SUNSET, IN HONOR OF THE INDIVIDUALS WHO DIED AS A RESULT
OF THEIR SERVICE AT PEARL HARBOR.
2. THE NATIONAL ENSIGN SHALL BE FLOWN AT HALF MAST ON ALL COAST GUARD
BUILDINGS, GROUNDS, AND VESSELS NOT UNDERWAY.
3. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.

Displaying the national flag at half-mast aboard federal installations is under the authority of the president. However, the president has delegated that authority, in limited circumstances, to secretaries, service chiefs and governors. The display of the flag at half mast indicates that the nation mourns. It would never be an indication that the unit mourns (with the sole exception, I believe, of the death of the ship's captain in transit).

The authority recently granted to state governors is an interesting twist. The president, by law, has granted that authority to apply to federal installations within the state upon the death of an active duty member from that state. This means that two neighboring stations located in different jurisdictions follow different protocol. Historically, notification to half mast was always directed by message. Now units and sectors have to establish liaisons with the state (hopefully e-notification) for these short-notice honors.

Final thought- we half mast our flag a lot. It is far from a rarity (I highly doubt that my current unit follows the state). I think our system works fine, although the state stuff is as odd as saluting the flag in civilian clothes.

FFJ

Take it easy Senior it's just a web forum. I apologize if I came off offensive Commander. Trying to have a lil' fun...

BMC

quote:

Originally posted by rusty37:
Take it easy Senior it's just a web forum. I apologize if I came off offensive Commander. Trying to have a lil' fun...

BMC

If?

quote:

The display of the flag at half mast indicates that the nation mourns. It would never be an indication that the unit mourns (with the sole exception, I believe, of the death of the ship's captain in transit).

Actually, there are a few more examples. There are actually a LOT of times when the half mast is local.

For a Governor - in that state
For members of Congress other than the top 7 - JUST DC and their state for day of death and day after - just heir state until internment.
Other civial official entitled to gun salute - local

Other Services Flag/General Officer, and all other CG Members: "units in the vicinity"


Clarification on WHEN: The above is CG Regs, which appear to be superceeded by the DOD Instruction I posted earlier in some cases. That DOD Instruction CLAIMS that DHS agreed that we would abide by it. (makes sense so that all services are simliar)

Clarification on HOW: There are slight differences in HOW to half mast for different types of display points between the Marine Corp Drill & Ceremonies Manual and NTP 13. The MCDC has been re-promulgated as COMDTINST M5060.11B



And by the way - MANY of the ALCOASTs directing half-masting are not needed. CG Regs and the others listed all CLEARLY state that the disaply rules shall be followed when notified by ANY RELIABLE means. So - if CNN says that A Senator has died for instance, you don't need to huddle around CGMS, just do what CG REGS says to do.

While we're on the subject, just in case any new Coasties are reading and maybe don't know...

When raising the National Ensign to Half Mast, the proper way to do it is to raise the flag to the top of the pole/mast, then lower it to the proper "half mast" height.

When taking it down, you again raise it to the top, then lower it.

Folks, please correct me if I am giving bad info on this. This was my understanding of the correct way to do this back in my days in the CG.

Don

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