Why will NC flags fly at half-staff on Monday? What to know
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- North Carolina flags will be at half-staff on Monday, May 4, honoring fallen firefighters.
- National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Day falls on Sunday, May 3 this year.
- The NC Fallen Firefighters Memorial service will be held Saturday, May 9 in Raleigh.
Flags will be flown at half-staff this coming week to honor North Carolina firefighters who died in the line of duty.
Federal law requires flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Day, which is Sunday, May 3. All United States and state flags at state facilities will be at half staff from sunrise to sunset on Monday, May 4.
“Today we remember the North Carolina firefighters who made the ultimate sacrifice for others,” said Gov. Josh Stein in a news release. “May their memories be a blessing, and may we honor their heroic work by celebrating their courage and dedication to keeping their neighbors safe.”
On the second Saturday in May, the North Carolina Fallen Firefighters Foundation holds a memorial service for firefighters who died at the NC Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Nash Square in downtown Raleigh. This year’s event starts at 11:15 a.m. Saturday, May 9, with the service beginning at 1 p.m.
The 2026 memorial honorees are:
- Violet Ray Caramella, Riceville Fire Department
- Christopher Edward Rothmeyer, New London Volunteer Fire Department
- Van Williams Boles, Pinnacle Volunteer Fire & Rescue Department
- Michael Lynn Scott, Sunny Point Fire & Rescue
- Jake Wayne Bridges, City of Hickory Fire Department
- William Edward Proctor, Sr., Falkland Voluntary Fire Department
- Otis Clarence Montgomery, Horneytown Fire Department
- George T. Parham, Gastonia Fire Department
- Gabriella Vincenzia Crespo, New Hope Fire Department
- Joe Lewis Willey, Weldon Fire Department
- David Raymond Creger, Troy Fire Department
- Johnny Alvin Goines, Verona Volunteer Fire Department
Who decides when flags are at half staff?
Flags can be ordered lowered by the North Carolina Governor at state buildings and by a Presidential proclamation, which affects federal buildings, grounds and naval vessels.
“At no time shall an order be given that would result in the flag of the state of North Carolina being displayed in a manner inconsistent with the various policies governing the display of both the United States and North Carolina flags,” according to the flag code.
Stein previously ordered flags lowered to half-staff for a state trooper killed in a crash and after a state representative died from cancer, The N&O reported.
In addition to somber remembrances, the flags can be lowered for some holiday observances like:
- National Firefighters Memorial Day, first Sunday in May
- Peace Officers Memorial Day, May 15
- Memorial Day, last Monday in May
- Patriot Day, Sept. 11
- Pearl Harbor Day, Dec. 7
Portions of this story were previously reported by The News & Observer.
This story was originally published May 1, 2026 at 4:00 PM with the headline "Why will NC flags fly at half-staff on Monday? What to know."
