Soaring at half-staff

Dan and Marla Uhles flew the three flags in front of their house at half-staff when their son, Drew, was killed during his second tour in Iraq in September 2004. Their hometown of Du Quoin joined the family in remembrance of the fallen soldier by also lowering local flags.

It is stories like these that have prompted Gov. Rod Blagojevich to issue a proclamation in December directing all state facilities to lower their flags to half-staff each time an Illinois National Guard member dies. The flags will be at half-staff for the entire day.

Gerardo Cardenas, spokesman for the governor, said the reason behind this proclamation is to honor Illinois' fallen soldiers. Many Illinois residents across the state have already been doing this since the war in Iraq began. According to the federal flag code, the only time the flag should be lowered is:

"By order of the President, the flag shall be flown at half-staff upon the death of principal figures of the United States Government and the governor of a state, territory, or possession, as a mark of respect to their memory." But since the change in the state's policy, Dan Uhles said he will fly his flags at half-staff every a member of the guard dies.

"We will lower our flag in respect to the families that have lost their loved ones in the state of Illinois since we are among those," Uhles said. SIUC flag master Bob Reid said he has been busier lately with the because of the announcement. Reid said he has had to lower the flag several times over the past weeks. Last week, for instance, he had to lower it Wednesday and then again Saturday. Although Reid has no problem with this, he has a different idea in mind.

Reid suggests that instead of lowering the flag every time a guard member dies, the state should ask for it to be lowered once a month from sunrise to sunset, Reid said. When the flag is lowered every other day or so, it not only confuses him but also can confuse the students because they don't know why the flag is being lowered, Reid said. By keeping the flag at half-staff the same day every month, the students would know why it's being lowered, Reid said. "All of the soldiers deserve recognition one way or another," Reid said. Reid said he also believes this recognition should go beyond the guard members in Illinois but to all soldiers who are fighting overseas.

"I could see lowering it for any serviceman or woman," Reid said. James Mueller, owner of Majestic Janitorial Service and Supply in Carbondale, sells American flags. Mueller said while he is against the war in Iraq, those who die there should have respect bestowed upon them. "Anyone that dies in battle should be honored," Mueller said. "They are putting their life on the line for their country."