Desantis Orders Flags Lowered In Memory

From the Florida Phoenix: By Michael Moline - May 22, 2020

U.S. and state flags flying over state properties will be lowered to half-staff for the duration of the Memorial Day weekend to commemorate the people who died because of COVID-19, Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced.

The governor’s office issued a memorandum to that effect in line with a similar edict from President Trump, “as a mark of respect for the victims of the novel coronavirus pandemic.”

The governor’s order will apply to “all local and state buildings, installations, and grounds throughout the State of Florida” through sunset on Sunday.

“May God be with the victims of this pandemic and bring aid and comfort to their families and friends,” the president’s order says in part.

The governor’s order came down shortly before state health officials updated their COVID database to reflect a total of 49,451 cases including 2,190 deaths.

Memorial Day traditionally is meant to honor servicemen and -women who died while serving, but Trump’s proclamation made no mention of them, except in including military facilities and vessels as subject to the order.

This story was originally published by the Florida Phoenix. For more stories from the Florida Phoenix, visit FloridaPhoenix.com.