Should an HOA send blast about when to fly flag at half mast?

Started by MicheleB7 • 13 replies • 628 views

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MicheleB7 (Florida)
Posts: 24

Posted:

I am on the BOD of our 63 home HOA. An owner messaged me that I should send out an email blast to all owners who have flags to let them know they should be lowering them to half-mast per the President's proclamation for the COVID-19 victims and for Memorial Day. We have never in the past sent out info regarding flags at half-mast, nor do I or the rest of the BOD feel it is our right or duty to do so. Thoughts please.

JohnT38 (South Carolina)
Posts: 1,631

Posted:

I'm not going to comment on if you should or shouldn't. However, Memorial Day is meant to reflect on the soldiers that died protecting our country. It shouldn't be shared with COVID-19 victims. It's their day and if the community wants to honor COVID-19 victims do it on a separate day.

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

Only the president can issue that. This is one of the reasons HOA should not be involved with flags. Google rules of flying a flag properly. It is too much for a HOA to handle. If you own a flag then should know when how to fly it.

Former HOA President

DeidreB (Virginia)
Posts: 113

Posted:

I agree with you and the rest of your BOD. I have never seen it done anywhere we have lived.

SheliaH (Indiana)
Posts: 6,964

Posted:

You're right, this isn't a Board function. All these people have to do is go to the American Legion website and review all of their information on flying the flag, displaying it in bad weather, even how to dispose of old flags properly. Or read the newspaper (try the digital if you don't do paper).

Why do people have to be led by the nose on EVERYTHING????

If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it. Marcus Aurelius

GeorgeS21 (Florida)
Posts: 3,808

Posted:

As a former P, VP, Sec, and long time Director, I would recommend NOT getting involved in flags - if an owner wants to send a note out of flags, sure.

BenA2 (Texas)
Posts: 1,273

Posted:

I say no because it would just be repeating what already exists. If someone wants notifications there are probably several sites they can register with for email notifications, not to mention apps for smartphones.

I see nothing wrong with it if you have an individual who wants to take on that responsibility.

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059

Posted:

Should they send the email blast? No.

If they wanted to do an article in the newsletter for next year, ok.
Note: that on memorial day, the flag is only flown at half staff until noon, to honor those who gave their life to protect, then it is raised to the top of the pole to honor those who are still serving.

See: https://www.va.gov/opa/publications/celebrate/halfstaff.pdf

Here is an article about the order:

https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/05/22/860762128/president-trump-orders-flags-to-fly-at-half-staff-as-u-s-mourns-nearly-100-000-d

GeorgeS21 (Florida)
Posts: 3,808

Posted:

When I said a homeowner could do it, I was assuming they had the email addresses ... in some states via the HOA, and in other cases they could have collected many over the years of normal communication.

SamE2 (New Jersey)
Posts: 310

Posted:

I don't think it is your duty to do it. I do believe you have the right to do it if you want. The problem with doing it is once you start you have to stay consistent. The Board already has enough to do without telling people when to fly their flag at half mast. If the HOA has a flag it is the HOA's duty to fly it correctly.

GenoS (Florida)
Posts: 4,276

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By TimB4 on 05/24/2020 1:53 AM
... then it is raised to the top of the pole to honor those who are still serving.

I couldn't find anything about that, i.e. the reason why it's raised to full staff at noon. I always thought Memorial Day was to honor the dead. As in not those still living.

I'm not against the call to fly the flag at half-mast to honor those who have died from COVID-19. I am against doing it on Memorial Day. Memorial Day has a very specific purpose.

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059

Posted:

see:

Why Is the Flag at Half-Staff Until Noon on Memorial Day?

GeorgeS21 (Florida)
Posts: 3,808

Posted:

Here’s the words - thanks, Tim.

“... Memorial Day (half-staff until noon), the last Monday in May; ...”

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