Gov. Tony Evers has ordered U.S. and Wisconsin flags to be flown at half-staff on Thursday, May 14 for Hmong-Lao Veterans Day.
In 2021, Evers declared May 14 to be Hmong-Lao Veterans Day in Wisconsin. The date was chosen because May 14, 1975, was when the last U.S. airlift evacuated Hmong-Lao soldiers from Long Tieng, Laos.
Now, Wisconsin has the third-largest Hmong population in the United States, according to a news release.
“Through their service and sacrifice, our Hmong-Lao veteran community has earned every honor and respect we can give them by serving this nation during the Vietnam War and in many conflicts since, and for that, we owe them an enormous debt of gratitude,” Evers said.
The flags at the State Capitol will fly at half-staff from sunrise to sunset Thursday.
Why do flags fly at half-staff?
U.S. flags typically fly at half-staff in the wake of national tragedies or after deaths of government officials, military members or first responders. They also fly at half-staff on Memorial Day and other national days of remembrance, including 9/11.
“The United States flag flies at half-staff or at half-mast when the nation or a state is in mourning,” USA.gov says. “The president, a state governor, or the mayor of the District of Columbia can order flags to fly at half-staff.”
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Flags will fly at half-staff in Wisconsin on May 14. Here’s why
Reporting by Caden Perry, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
