President Trump has ordered flags to be flown at half-staff across the United States to honor the victims of a recent school shooting in Minnesota on Aug. 27.
"As a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence, [...] I hereby order that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff," the proclamation reads.
On Wednesday, Aug. 27, two children were killed and at least 17 were injured when a shooter fired through the windows of Annunciation Church in Minneapolis, where students of Annunciation Catholic School were attending Mass.
In honor of the two victims, aged 8 and 10, the flag of the United States at all public buildings and grounds across the country and its territories – including in Massachusetts – will fly at half-staff until sunset on Sunday, Aug. 31.
Gov. Maura Healey also ordered the flags to be flown at half staff, offering her condolences on X.
"My heart breaks for the Annunciation Catholic School. The start of the school year shattered by another senseless, preventable act of gun violence," she wrote. "Praying for first responders, students, teachers and families going through the unimaginable. Children should be safe in school.
Why are flags flown at half-staff?
According to the official website of the U.S. General Services Administration, flags typically fly at half-staff when the country or specific state is in mourning. Observances include national tragedies, days of remembrance and deaths of government or military personnel.
The president, the state governor or the mayor of Washington, D.C., can order flags to fly at half-staff.
Half-staff vs. half-mast
While half-staff refers to lowered flags on land, half-mast refers to those at sea. Both refer to a flag being flown beneath the top of its staff as a sign of respect.
Cheryl McCloud of the USA TODAY Network contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Why are flags at half-staff in Massachusetts today? What to know
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