You might notice flags around Wisconsin flying at half-staff Saturday.
The gesture, ordered by Gov. Tony Evers, is in honor of a former Wisconsin Supreme Court justice who died earlier this month. Here’s what to know about the flags at half-staff:
Why are flags at half-staff in Wisconsin on Saturday?
Flags are at half-staff Saturday in memory of former state Supreme Court Justice David Prosser, who died at on Dec. 1 at age 81 after a several-month battle with cancer.
Born in Appleton, Prosser began his career in public service as an attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice and later as Outagamie County District Attorney, according to a news release from the governor’s office.
In 1978, he began a nearly two-decade stint in the Wisconsin State Assembly, where he served terms as chamber’s speaker and minority leader. He also spent a year on the Wisconsin Tax Appeals Commission, before former Gov. Tommy Thompson appointed him to the state Supreme Court in 1998.
Prosser served for 18 years on the court and retired in 2016.
“Justice Prosser devoted his career to public service, from working for a congressman and his local community to serving as a legislator and his nearly two decades as a Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice,” Evers said in the news release. “His career was unique — he did a little bit of everything — and he spent much of his life seeking new and more impactful ways that he could make a difference in our state.”Services for Prosser will held on Saturday in Appleton.
More: Former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice David Prosser dead at 81
How long will flags be at half-staff?
Flags will fly at half-staff from sunrise to sunset Saturday.
Where will flags be at half-staff?
According to Evers’ order, the American flag and the Wisconsin state flag will fly at half-staff at all buildings, grounds and military installations belonging to the state of Wisconsin.
When do flags fly at half-staff?
U.S. flags typically fly at half-staff in the wake of national tragedies or after deaths of government officials, military members or first responders. They also fly at half-staff on Memorial Day and other national days of remembrance, including 9/11.
“The United States flag flies at half-staff or at half-mast when the nation or a state is in mourning,” USA.gov says. “The president, a state governor, or the mayor of the District of Columbia can order flags to fly at half-staff.”
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Why are flags at half-staff in Wisconsin Saturday?
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