Politics & Government

"Operation Fly The Flag" Alert: May 21 is Armed Forces Day

Sign up for Shondel's email alert to find out how and when the U.S. flag should be presented.

Operation Fly The Flag, a notification system set up by an Avon Lake veteran to make sure the flag is flown properly, sent out its first email alert on May 18, alerting 72 recipients in Avon and Avon Lake that this Saturday, May 21, the flag should be flown to celebrate Armed Forces Day.

John Shondel, a retired Green Beret, began accumulating emails for businesses and residents who wanted to be alerted when the flag  should be flown at full or half-staff. He began Operation Fly the Flag after noticing only one business in town properly lowered the flag to half staff after the last living World War I veteran died in March.

President Obama had ordered that all U.S. flags be flown at half staff to honor Buckles that day.

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The email thanked recipients “on behalf of all the 900+ veteran members of American Legion Post 211” in Avon Lake for participating in Operation Fly The Flag.

“This Saturday, the third Saturday in May, the 21st, is Armed Forces Day,” the email said. “Many Americans celebrate Armed Forces Day annually which is on the third Saturday in May. It is a day to pay tribute to men and women who serve the United States’ armed forces.”

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The email reminded recipients of the country’s most solemn holiday, Memorial Day, which falls on May 30 this year.  The holiday commemorates U.S. soldiers who died while in the military service.

“Memorial Day… is also one of the United States’ holidays when the American Flag is flown at half-staff,” Shondel said in the email.

According to Title 4 of the US Code (The Flag Code), the flag is to be flown at half-staff from Sunrise (or when the flag is put up early that day) until noon.  At that time, it should be raised briskly to full staff and the halyard secured.

To have your email added to Shondel's list, send him an email at  osujohn@mac.com or a letter sent to Shondel’s attention at American Legion Post 211, 31972 Walker Road, Avon Lake, OH 44012.


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