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)
New York State throws around a lot of grant money, here and elsewhere, while the area’s only health provider, according to Chip, is gasping for life. In terms of basic priorities and local outcomes, this looks totally upside down. Is anyone paying attention?…
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.