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Flags are at half staff today to honor fallen Peace Officers.
An eagle-eyed Patch reader noticed that flags at and other public buildings are flying at half-staff and inquired as to why.
The answer: It's Peace Officer's Memorial Day.
President Obama set May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and also designated the week of May 13 through May 19 week as Police Week. In doing so, he called on all governors to order flags to fly at half staff and encouraged all business and homeowners to follow suit.
The commemoration actually dates to the early 1960s. President John F. Kennedy signed a law setting aside May 15 to honor fallen police officers and President Bill Clinton expanded the commemoration to include flying flags at half-staff.
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In Washington, D.C., the day was marked at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial wall, where the names of 19,000 law enforcement officers are engraved, with a candlelight vigil on Sunday night.
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