Gov. Beshear Changes Flag Policy For Fallen Soldiers

Save

Posted: 6:08 PM Jul 23, 2008
Last Updated: 6:08 PM Jul 23, 2008

4 comments

A | A | A

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) - A new policy in Kentucky is changing which fallen soldiers are being honored with the symbolic gesture of
lowering flags to half staff after their deaths.
Kentucky's previous policy was to honor all fallen soldiers who
either resided in Kentucky or were stationed here. Now, the flag will only be lowered to half-staff for a soldier on the day of his or her funeral and only for Kentucky residents.
State officials say the change is intended to highlight the sacrifices made by individual soldiers and prevent lengthy stretches of having flags stationed at half-staff for multiple people.
Some say the new policy alienates soldiers who may be stationed
at Fort Knox or Fort Campbell but have permanent residences elsewhere.
Democratic Gov. Steve Beshear's new policy took effect in mid-June.

More Stories
U. S. Attorney Firing Probe Sheds New Light On McConnell Aide

V.P. Debate Fact Check

Vice Presidential Candidates Square Off

Senate Passes $700 Billion Bailout

House Speaker Seeks Meeting On LRC Chief's Pay Raise

Feds Want Defense Subpoena Stopped In Road Bid Rig Probe

Top Race Horse Doc Resigns

State Ethics Probe Into Nepotism Moves Forward

Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Rob Location: Lexington on Jul 24, 2008 at 10:57 AM
I for one will leave the flag down as before,from the day they died until sunset on the day of the funeral!!The families may not know we are honoring them,but I do and it doesn't matter if they know I am or not,I am doing it out of respect to the fallen and their families.Not to be seen or heard !! God Bless Our TROOPS!!!!

Posted by: Edwin Location: Richmond on Jul 23, 2008 at 08:50 PM
Just another way for the government in this country to show that the respect for our men and women in uniform is lost. I cannot help but think that our country is loosing sight that the brave men and women are the ones who give us the right to make these stupid laws and policies. Leave it to a Democrat to come up with something like this.

Posted by: Steve Location: Lexington on Jul 23, 2008 at 08:07 PM
As one who respects the flag and tries to lower it to half-staff when the Governor issues orders to do so, I have to say that I agree with his decision to only have the flag lowered on the day of the soldiers funeral. There are so many soldiers dying in Iraq and Afghanistan, and they were leaving it down from the time they died to the time they were buried (usually 2 weeks because it takes so long to get them back to the states) that you never knew if you were supposed to have it up or down, and never knew who you were respecting/honoring when you had it down. I think it a much better policy to lower only on the day of the funeral...as for whether they are Kentuckians or not, that doesn't bother me one way or the other. I will pray for all of them, alive fighting or killed in action, and lowering the flag in a state they weren't from and aren't coming home to (they are sent home) doesn't really honor anything because their families don't know what we are doing.

Posted by: amc Location: lexington on Jul 23, 2008 at 06:44 PM
how many more ways can this 'governor' insult the citizens of the Commonwealth

	Rental Guide Video tours to help you find your next apartment.

	Happy Hour Deals Save 50% from local merchants.

	Desktop Alert Download weather alerts to your computer desktop.

	Classifieds THE place to buy and sell items. Most ads free.

	Experts Got a question? Ask our Health Experts.

	Crime Find out how Ray Larson is stopping crime.

	Crimestoppers Help bring criminals to justice.

Untitled Document

Kentucky Gas Prices

Lexington Gas Prices

Historical Gas Price Charts

Current Average Gas Prices

Across the Nation

Click Here for the AAA Fuel Price Finder

WKYT Mobile