I wondered why flags around town have been at half-staff for so long. I thought that they would be at full-staff about a week or so after ex-President Gerald Ford's funeral.
Checking a couple of web sites, including Wikipedia, I found that by federal law U.S. flags are to be flown at half-staff "[for] thirty days after the death of a current or former President." The length is less and less for other federal officials down to "[on] the day of death and the following day for a Member of Congress".
Why not fly the flag at half-staff on the day of a funeral for the death in the line of duty of any military personnel, law enforcement officer, or firefighter?
