After lowering flags to half-staff in honor of Senator John McCain over the weekend, flags were back to full staff this morning, causing many to call out the White House for insensitivity toward the late Senator.
When it didn't look as though the White House was going to change course, The American Legion stepped in to issue a strongly worded letter urging an "appropriate presidential proclamation" for McCain, demanding that flags fly at half-staff until his funeral.
Denise Rohan, the National Commander for The American Legion, made the demand in an open letter to the president:
Dear President Trump,The American Legion urges the White House to follow long-established protocol following the death of prominent government officials.
Mr. President, just this year, you released presidential proclamations noting the deaths of Barbara Bush and Billy Graham. Senator John McCain was an American hero and cherished member of The American Legion. As I'm certain you are aware, he served five and a half years as a prisoner of war in North Vietnam and retired from the U.S. Navy at the rank of Captain. He then served in the U.S. Congress for more than three decades.
On the behalf of The American Legion's two million wartime veterans, I strongly urge you to make an appropriate presidential proclamation noting Senator McCain's death and legacy of service to our nation, and that our nation's flag be half-staffed through his internment.
People were impressed that they took such action:
And it appears the White House was impressed as well, since they complied with The American Legion's demand shortly thereafter:
The president also released his first statement outside of a tweet addressing the character and service of John McCain, saying
Despite our differences in politics and policy, I respect Senator John McCain's service to our country and, in his honor, have signed a proclamation to fly the flag at half-staff until the day of his interment.
In addition, flags were returned to flying at half staff:
For many, however, the move of lowering the flag was too little, too late.
About time.
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