Latest news with #honor
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Why are flags at half-staff in Iowa? Flags lowered Saturday for World War II veteran
Flags around Iowa will be at half-staff on Saturday, June 28, at the direction of Gov. Kim Reynolds. Flags will remain at half-staff from sunrise to sunset. All flags at the Iowa State Capitol and on public buildings, grounds and facilities throughout the state will be at half-staff. Flags in Iowa will be lowered to honor U. S. Army Air Forces Corporal Melvin L. Huff, of Iowa Falls. Huff was reported missing in action in January 1945 near Wewak in what is now modern-day Papua New Guinea, after Allied forces lost contact with the military aircraft he was aboard. He was 19 years old at the time, according to a news release from the governor's office. More: Remains of Iowa corporal missing in action in World War II to finally be buried After his remains were identified last July, Harrington is finally being laid to rest in his hometown of Iowa Falls on June 28. Half-mast is used when the flag is flown from a flagpole, typically referring to a ship mast or similar structures, according to Federal Flags. Half-mast means the flag is flown two-thirds up between the top and bottom of the flagstaff. Half-staff is the term used for flags on land, particularly in the United States. Half-staff describes a flag that is raised halfway, between the top and bottom of the flagpole. Flying the American flag at half-staff conveys a message of respect and mourning. Federal Flags says this custom is most often observed following the death of a government official, military personnel or in response to a national Moines Register reporter Kate Kealey contributed to this report. Cooper Worth is a service/trending reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at cworth@ or follow him on X @CooperAWorth. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Why are flags at half-staff today in Iowa? Flags lowered for WWII vet
South China Morning Post
10 hours ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Melissa Hortman's ‘best boy' Gilbert lies in state with slain Minnesota lawmaker
Gilbert the golden retriever was home with US Democratic leader and Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband when a gunman fatally shot the couple and mortally wounded their beloved dog. Advertisement And he was with them again on Friday when the Hortmans lay in state at the Capitol in St. Paul. He is all but certainly the first dog to receive the honour, having been put down after being badly injured in the attack. There is no record of any other non-human ever lying in state, and Melissa Hortman, a former state House speaker still leading the chamber's Democrats, is the first woman. The state previously granted the honour to 19 men, including a vice-president, secretary of state, senators, governors and a Civil War veteran, according to the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library. Advertisement Hundreds of people waited outside the Capitol before they were allowed into the rotunda at noon to pay their respects.
CTV News
11 hours ago
- General
- CTV News
Fundraiser honours Surrey teen
Vancouver Watch A touching tribute in Surrey with family and friends coming together to honour Chase De Balinhard with a fundraiser near and dear to his heart.
CBS News
5 days ago
- CBS News
Dallas firefighter Juan Omar Chaidez remembered as hard worker who loved the job, his mom and making jokes
A procession was held Monday morning in Collin County to honor Dallas Fire-Rescue firefighter Juan Omar Chaidez. The CBS News Texas chopper captured the moment Chaidez's body was escorted inside the Collin County Medical Examiner's Office by his crew from Dallas Fire Station 43, standing shoulder to shoulder, giving him one last salute. "A lot of times you don't want being a fireman to define you, and this is one of those times where he was a great fireman, but we're talking about him as a person and as a man, and like I said, as a family member," said Wes Southard, who worked with him at the fire tation. Around 7 a.m. Monday, Officials recovered Chaidez' body near Bratonia Park on Lavon Lake, after two days of search efforts. The Collin County Sheriff's Office said Chaidez was kayaking Saturday at the lake with his dog when he went missing. A witness reported seeing him in the water, and later saw only the dog paddling near the overturned kayak. Some of Chaidez's fire crew members were at the lake as his body was recovered from the water. "We talked to his mom and his dad, and we just let them know that we're there, and we loved him… loved him very much, and that they raised a really good son," Southard said. Chaidez was a firefighter with the Dallas Fire-Rescue for six years. Southard said Chaidez was a hard worker who loved his job, his mom and making jokes. "He was one of those ones that that was always having fun. I don't think Omar was ever having a bad time," said Southard. "I think wherever he went, he made sure that everybody else was happy, made sure that everybody else was cared for, and made sure everybody else knew that someone was thinking of them." Collin County authorities said Chaidez' dog was found safely and is doing well. Multiple crews helped locate Chaidez' body. Currently, Bratonia Park remains closed to the public. Dallas Fire Rescue said it's focusing its resources on helping Chaidez' family and the fire crew process this tragedy. "He'll be missed for a very long time," Southard said.
CBS News
6 days ago
- Politics
- CBS News
Colorado congressman pushing to continue program to honor Vietnam veterans
A Colorado congressman is pushing to make a program that honors the service and sacrifice of Vietnam veterans permanent. Assistant Minority Leader Joe Neguse says the commemoration is one of the most meaningful events he does each year. During the ceremony, Neguse gives each veteran a pin, a certificate and the welcome home they didn't receive when they returned from war some 50 years ago. CBS The program was started by President Obama and is set to end on Veterans Day this year. Neguse introduced a bill, along with two Republican colleagues, to extend it indefinitely. "Every year, we put in a lot of effort to try to find Vietnam veterans in our community. We've got 53 towns, 12 counties in my district, so we do a lot of outreach, and we're surprised every year we find more veterans from that war who have not been recognized," said Neguse. "It's one of the most meaningful things that I've been able to do as a member of Congress, personally. And I just don't see any reason why this shouldn't continue." In addition to honoring veterans, Neguse uses the ceremonies to connect vets with services. Last year, his "Mental Health for Military Families Act" became law, expanding access to mental health services for veterans and their families. Those who would like to participate in this year's commemoration can RSVP online here.
