Flags to fly at half-staff

Governor Mark Gordon has ordered both the U.S. and State of Wyoming flag be flown at half-staff statewide from sunrise until sunset on Friday, January 24 in honor of Wamsutter paramedic Michael Wilder, who died in the line of duty on January 11.

The ambulance service member suffered a fatal heart attack while working at the scene of a fatal car crash.

The American flag conjures a vast array of different thoughts, feelings, memories and connotations for Americans.

Many people feel a fierce sense of loyalty and pride when they see the star-spangled banner wave.

Many see the sacrifice that thousands of men and women have made over the years in times of war, fighting and dying for the American nation and its core values, beliefs and policies. Often times that sacrifice came from that person themselves or their close comrades, friends, or family members.

The U.S. flag is to always be displayed at half-staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day, Memorial Day, Patriot Day, National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.

When the flag is ordered to be flown at half-staff it must first be hoisted to the peak of the flag pole for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position.

On Friday, take a moment to honor Wilder and those who have died in the line of duty.