Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine ordered Aug. 25 that flags at all Ohio state buildings be lowered to half-staff in honor of country music legend Dolly Parton.
Parton worked with DeWine and first lady Fran DeWine for years as part of the Dolly Parton's Imagination Library. Parton visited Ohio State University in 2022 and DeWine declared"Dolly Parton Day" in Ohio.
How long will flags be lowered?
"In honor of the life and legacy of Dolly Parton, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has ordered that the flags of the United States and the state of Ohio shall be flown at half-staff upon all public buildings and grounds throughout the state of Ohio effective immediately until sunset, September 1, 2026," according to a statement from DeWine's
office.
President Trump orders flags lowered
President Donald Trump posted on social media that the American flag will be lowered for a week in honor of Parton.
"In her honor, I am lowering the American flag throughout the United States for a one week period beginning tonight at 6:00PM. Rest in Peace, Dolly! The World loves you," Trump posted on Truth Social.
What's the difference between half-staff and half-mast?
Flags are flown at half-mast on ships and at naval stations. On shore, flags are flown at half-staff, meaning the flagpole is attached to a building or stuck in the ground.
Why are flags flown at half-staff?
The American flag flies at half-staff when the country or a state is in mourning, according to USA.gov.Flags can be ordered to fly at half-staff by the president, a state governor or the mayor of the District of Columbia. In most cases, flying the flag at half-staff marks a significant death, such as one of a government official or military member, a national tragedy, or a national day of remembrance, such as Memorial Day or Patriots' Day, which occurs annually on Sept. 11 in memory of the victims who died in the 2001 attacks.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: DeWine orders Ohio flags lowered for Dolly Parton
