Wednesday, July 25, 2012

A Flag Flown Half-Staff

As I was driving through Salt Lake City on Interstate 15 the other day, I noticed many American flags being flown half-staff. Whenever I see flags flying in such a manner, I become somber, reflective. It causes my heart to feel heavy with compassion. This symbolic action brings attention to a horrific event that has taken place. I can only assume it was for the tragic shooting that took place in Colorado last week.   

It touches my heart that flags are being flown half-staff for what happened. I even heard that Christian Bale paid a visit to the victims of the shooting. These things show a great deal of respect.

I definitely can't believe that someone would do something so dispicable. The world is a scary place, indeed. Yet, there is good that permiates the earth as well. That's where respect shown through a simple act of flying a flag half-staff is so beautiful. It shows that light still shines through the darkness.

In honor of those who have been adversely affected by this tragedy, I send my sincerest prayers. And hope that your lives will be filled with peace and solace in the coming weeks, months, and years.

How do you feel about what happened during the midnight showing of The Dark Knight Rises? What things show you that there is the light of goodness in the world?

Writing. Jewels.

24 comments:

  1. Makes me ill to think about. And so impressed by some of the valor that was shone that night.

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  2. I'm really impressed with how Warner Bros. and Christian Bale have stepped in. They really had absolutely nothing to do with the tragedy, they were associated by circumstance, but they've thrown their support to the families and the survivors. They didn't have to, nobody would have thought less of them for simply keeping mum on the subject, but they stepped in anyway.

    And that's classy.

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    1. I was pleasantly surprised to hear about Christian Bale showing his support. It was extremly classy.

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  3. Hard to think about. I guess I just don't want to think about Batman or Colorado for awhile. I learned how to read and write in Colorado and most importantly...I learned how to pray in Colorado.

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    1. Yes, it is hard to think about. That's beautiful that you learned how to pray in Colorado. Very sweet thought.

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  4. Makes me appreciate my family and friends more. Despite the evils, there is still great good in this world though.

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    1. Yes, life would be sad without the associations we have with family and friends. I am thankful they are here. I don't know what I would do without them. I am thankful they are in my life.

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  5. I posted on this issue and I still get teary eyed when I think of all the lives lost - and for what?

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    1. Yes, lives lost for nothing. It is tragic. I do not understand how someone can do something so horrible. It is beyond me.

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  6. I'm choosing to believe that all these flags are flying half-staff for the loss of Dr. Sally Ride, an important American pioneer rather than an admittedly tragic local event. Crazy people don't deserve this much attention from this many people, but Sally Ride definitely does.

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    1. I think that the flags are flown half-staff for the people who were affected by the shooting. It shows great respect for the lives lost and the families who were left behind. Also for those who were injured and had firsthand experience while there. I definitely agree that it should not be flown in any way in behalf of the crazy person who carried out the terrible event. I hope that people understand that the flags are half-staff for Dr. Sally Ride as well. I love the respect that is shown by the simple act of lowering the American flag.

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  7. I am sorry to see some people think it's improper to fly the flags half mast for Colorado victims.

    Vietnam Vet 1971

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    1. I don't want to minimize how tragic it is or the loss felt by the community of Aurora, but there are specific conditions under which the flag should be flown half-staff. Here are the conditions, according to the VA. The President can order a nationwide mourning for a "tragic event," but to my knowledge, he hasn't. Additionally, that young man wanted to attract attention and I refuse to pander to his insanity and feed the validation for what he did.

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    2. Thank you for posting Anonymous commenter. I appreciate your thoughts. Thank you for serving our great country back in 1971. I applaud your efforts, whatever they may have been.

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  8. Most times I am unaware what the flag is half massed, making me go to the news to find out what's going on. This time was a different story. Saddened by it, but went to see the film regardless.

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    1. I saw the movie as well. I feel that circumstances like these should not provoke fear but resolution to continue forward with faith that there is good in the world. I remember 9/11. I flew from SLC to London three weeks after the tragic event. I definitely didn't let the horrible circumstances of the terrorists keep me from moving forward with my life. It would have prevented me from having a wonderful experience as a nanny in England.

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  9. I have a lot of respect for Christian Bale for going to see the victims. What happened was awful. I can't even begin to understand why someone would hurt people like that.

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    1. I know. I know. It's terrible what happened.

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  10. It's sad that a person can hurt others that way. I'm glad they few the flags half staff. That shows great respect for the victims and their families.

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  12. I've noticed flags flying at half-staff too. I wasn't sure if it was in honor of the Colorado shooting victims or the death of astronaut Sally Ride. I was thinking it was for Sally Ride, but either way, it's a touching honor to support lives once lived.

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    1. I did some research on the internet to see why the flags were flown half-staff. I don't follow the news. Pretty much anything I find out about is from family and friends when it's news related. Anyway, it turns out it was for both the Colorado shooting victims and the death of Sally Ride. Such a great sign of respect for both the shooting victims and Sally Ride.

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