[UPDATED] Flags at Half-Staff: Honoring General John William Vessey, Jr.
Office of Governor Walz & Lt. Governor Flanagan sent this bulletin at 08/22/2016 12:08 PM CDT
August 22, 2016
Governor Mark Dayton orders flags flown at half-staff in honor of General John William Vessey, Jr. on Thursday, September 1, 2016
ST. PAUL, MN – Governor Mark Dayton has ordered all United States flags and Minnesota flags to be flown at half-staff at all state and federal buildings in the State of Minnesota, from sunrise until sunset on Thursday, September 1, 2016, in honor and remembrance of General John William Vessey, Jr., former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
General John William Vessey, Jr. passed away on August 18, 2016, at the age of 94. General Vessey was born on June 29, 1922, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and had a remarkable 46-year military career, including serving as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. In 1992, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
In keeping with appropriate flag etiquette and U.S. Code, Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton may order the state flag to be flown at half-staff under very limited circumstances. He may also order the national flag to be flown at half-staff on state property only. A state flag on state property is required by law to be flown at half-staff if the national flag is flown at half-staff.