We Remember
COOPERSTOWN—A member of the Cooperstown Police Department drops the Main Street flag to half mast on September 11, in memory of those who lost their lives during the 9/11 attacks. (Photo by Chip Northrup)
September 11, 2001 was a day of infamy. I regret to say that many innocent lives were lost on that tragic day, whether they were brothers and sisters, women and men, children, and others whom we remember.…
Half-staff when it’s on land.
Half-mast when it’s on a ship.
Therefore, Half-staff.
Cambridge Dictionary: A flag that is at half mast has been brought down to a point halfway down the pole as an expression of sadness at someone’s death:
The flags at City Hall were all flying at half-mast.
Associated Press Stylebook: “On ships and at naval stations ashore, flags are flown at half-mast. Elsewhere ashore, flags are flown at half-staff.”
Though we primarily use AP style, we do have our own company stylebook that, in some cases, diverges. 🙂
Fair enough. I respectfully concede.