Why were flags at half staff Thursday in Washington? It wasn’t for Veterans Day

Noticed flags at half-staff Thursday?

You’re not alone. Flags were ordered to half-staff at Washington buildings through sunset.

Here’s why.

On Thursday, the Washington and United States flags at state agencies were ordered to half-staff in honor of two service members who died during a routine training flight near Mount Rainier.

Naval aviators Lieutenant Commander Lyndsay Evans and Lieutenant Serena Wileman, both 31, died in the line of duty Oct. 15.

“Lt. Cmdr. Lyndsay ‘Miley’ Evans and Lt. Serena ‘Dug’ Wileman will be remembered as role models, trailblazers, and women whose influence touched countless people on the flight deck and well beyond,” stated the U.S. Navy in an article released after the crash.

They both had accomplished careers in the military. Evans was also an Electronic Warfare Officer with two sea tours under her belt and numerous medals. She was part of the 2023 all-female Super Bowl flyover, in recognition of the 50-year anniversary of women flying in the Navy, according to the article. Additionally, she was named the 2024 Growler Tactics Instructor of the Year.

Flags at half-staff

In each state, the governor is responsible for issuing flag directives. Each year, there are pre-determined dates for lowered flags, and the governor’s office announces any additional dates as necessary.

You can sign up for email updates on flag directives.

So far this year, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has called for lowered flags in recognition of federal holidays including Memorial Day, for the deaths of former representatives and on the tenth anniversary of the Oso landslide.

Generally, the directive includes a requirement for state buildings and an invitation for others to lower their flags.

Directives can be issued by the president for flags on federal property. These directives can be echoed on state levels through governor’s offices.