Overseas missions fly flag half mast

All of this country’s overseas diplomatic missions as well as State and non-state agencies in TT, have been advised to fly the national flag at half mast from yesterday to Wednesday.

A statement issued by the National Security Ministry said this is in observance of last Monday’s passing of former President of the Republic, Professor George Maxwell Richards.

The statement advised this be done pursuant to an announcement made yesterday by National Security Minister Edmund Dillon.

The national flag should be flown at half-mast today and tomorrow, as Richards’ body will lie in State on these days.

The flag should also be flown at half-mast on Wednesday, when Richards’ State funeral will take place.

The ministry said the flag should be flown at half-mast or half-staff lowering the flag by its own depth from its normal position at the peak of the staff when the nation is in mourning.

At half-mast, the flag is first hoisted to the top of the staff for an instant, and then lowered to the half-mast position.

Before lowering the flag down for the day the flag is again raised to the top of the staff.

Other flags on the same stand of poles should also be at half-mast or should not be flown at all when the National Flag is at half-mast.

Flags of foreign nations should not be flown at half mast, unless their country is also observing mourning.