Flags lowered across nation to honor servicemen, not in Alabama

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Photo Credit: J. Scott Applewhite/AP

Flags have been lowered to fly at half-staff at the U.S. Capitol, in Florida and in other states to honor the victims of the terrorist attack at two military centers in Chattanooga last Thursday.

Four marines and a sailor lost their lives, prompting calls to arm the military and national guard at their offices.

State Auditor Jim Zeigler has called upon the Gov. Robert Bentley to lower the flags in Alabama as well. He posted a Facebook status which read:

Flags in Alabama not lowered to half staff in honor of slain military personnel in Chattanooga

I have now requested that Gov. Robert Bentley lower our flags to half staff in honor of our military personnel murdered in Chattanooga. This step of honor has not been taken at this time.

The protocol is that the President requests the Governor who directs the Director of Capitol Operations to lower the flags. Since this has not been done, I have requested both the Governor and the Director of Capitol operations to now lower our flags. New protocol for an old tradition.

I do not agree that Alabama should be bound by the President’s lack of action in this regard. We are a sovereign state and own and control these flags.

According to AL.Com Thomasville Mayor Sheldon Day has also requested the flags be lowered. Mayor day quoted in their story as saying, “I respectfully request Governor Robert Bentley to issue an executive order asking everyone in our state to lower their flags to half staff in tribute to the five fallen heroes who were killed this week while doing their duty and serving America.”

Alabama Today has asked the governor’s office for comment and will update this story when more information becomes available.

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