The U.S. and Ohio flags will fly at half staff to honor the life and service of a former state representative, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine ordered July 18.
Jack Cera, 69, a Bellaire (Belmont County) native, died July 13 after a two and a half year battle with cancer, according to his obituary. He served in the Ohio House of Representatives from 1983 to 1996 and again from 2011 to 2020.
Flags will be flown at half-staff at all public buildings and grounds throughout Belmont, Jefferson, Monroe, Noble and Washington counties as well as at the Ohio Statehouse, Vern Riffe Center, and Rhodes Tower on the day of his funeral, July 19, DeWine ordered.
Why are flags flown at half-staff?
The American flag flies at half-staff when the country or a state is in mourning, according to USA.gov. Flags can be ordered to fly at half-staff by the president, a state governor or the mayor of the District of Columbia. In most cases, flying the flag at half-staff marks a significant death, such as a government official or military member; a national tragedy or a national day of remembrance, such as Patriot Day or Memorial Day.
What is the difference between half-staff and half-mast?
Half-staff refers to flags on land. Flags are flown at half-mast on nautical vessels, such as a naval ship. But the purpose is the same for both.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Jeffersonian: Why are flags flying at half-staff in Ohio? Former state official dies. What to know
Reporting by Chad Murphy, Cambridge Daily Jeffersonian / The Daily Jeffersonian
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