Governor Walz Orders Flags Flown at Half-Staff for Minnesota Fallen Firefighters Memorial Day
Governor Tim Walz signed a proclamation declaring Minnesota Fallen Firefighters Memorial Day to be observed on Sunday, September 27, 2020. In honor of fallen firefighters, the Governor has also directed all United States and Minnesota flags at federal and state buildings to be flown at half-staff from sunrise until sunset on September 27.
“Each day, our firefighters put their lives on the line to protect us, our loved ones, and our communities,” said Governor Walz. “This day pays tribute to the firefighters who have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty, and the bravery of those who continue to serve.”
Individuals, businesses, and other organizations are encouraged to join in lowering their flags to honor Minnesota fallen firefighters and their families.
NOTE: Flags will continue to be at Half-Staff until next week when Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is interned at Arlington Cemetery.
NOTE: This year due to COVID-19, on Sunday, Sept. 27, the Minnesota Fallen Firefighter Memorial Service will shift to a virtual event. The shortened ceremony, to be broadcast from the Minnesota Fallen Firefighter Memorial at the State Capitol at 1 p.m. on Sept. 27, is scheduled to include a wreath laying by the president of the Minnesota Fire Service Foundation, reading of the honor roll, comments from Commissioner of Public Safety John Harrington, bag pipes and a bell ceremony. While there will be a limited number of people on site, families of firefighters who died in the line of duty, firefighters from around the state, community leaders and the public are encouraged to join the ceremony online at facebook.com/MinnesotaFireServiceFoundation/.
The Governor’s proclamation reads as follows:
WHEREAS: On October 16th, 2001, President George W. Bush signed legislation requiring that the United States flag be lowered to half-staff on all federal buildings to memorialize fallen firefighters; and
WHEREAS: Public Law 107-51 requires this action to occur annually in conjunction with the observance of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Service; and
WHEREAS: Minnesota Senate File 237 was unanimously passed by the Legislature and signed into law on May 15th, 2009, creating Minnesota Fallen Firefighters Memorial Day; and
WHEREAS: The Minnesota State Fire Chiefs Association, Minnesota State Fire Department Association, and Minnesota Professional Fire Fighters Association support this act of recognition and believe it honors their goal of bringing every firefighter home safely at the end of every shift; and
WHEREAS: On average, 100 firefighters make the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty each year in the United States; and
WHEREAS: Every day, the volunteer, paid-on-call, and career firefighters in nearly 800 Minnesota fire departments protect the lives and property of our citizens.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, TIM WALZ, Governor of Minnesota, do hereby proclaim Sunday, September 27, 2020 as: MINNESOTA FALLEN FIREFIGHTERS MEMORIAL DAY in the State of Minnesota, and do hereby order all United States flags and Minnesota flags be flown at half-staff at all state and federal buildings in the State of Minnesota, from sunrise until sunset on Sunday, September 27, 2020, in honor of firefighters who have been killed or disabled in the line of duty.