[cquick]

Why were the flags flying at half mast yesterday? I meant to ask yesterday, but I forgot......I know somebody on TOTV knows the answer! :-)

[CFrance]

For the helicopter servicemen killed off of Pensacola

[WhoDat]

They are at half mast in Louisiana as well because the flight crew was from the Louisiana Army National Guard

[Uberschaf]

It's staff a mast is on a boat.

[The Mountaineer]

Originally Posted by Uberschaf

It's staff a mast is on a boat.

Flags on land fly at half-staff. On ships -- not a boat unless it's a PT Boat -- it's half-mast. That's nitpicking and certainly not meant to dishonor those who lost their lives. But 43 years as a newspaper editor wouldn't let me let that pass without educating everyone who reads this. Sorry.

By the way, we are so enamored of life in The Villages during our three months here that Paula bought property here on Bonita Drive. So we'll be seeing everyone every year till the undertaker drives us to the cemetery.

Thank you, Villagers, for making us feel welcome. I didn't run into ONE grouch our whole time here, including my 35 visits to the executive golf courses. Can't say that about my experiences in Ohio.

Well done, everyone. Villages sell The Villagers to future Villagers, like us.

[blueash]

half staff vs half mast varies depending on location. In the US and sometimes in Canada mast is reserved for at sea. However in the rest of the world, half mast is used on land

Half-mast vs. half-staff - Grammarist

So while the original usage of mast was incorrect for the US, it is a minor American grammatical choice not shared by the rest of the world.

[graciegirl]

Mast or staff. This country mourns these fine men.

[dbussone]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Mast or staff. This country mourns these fine men.

Well said.

[Bizdoc]

If you are from one of the sea services (Navy, Marines, Coast Guard), it is half-mast on land or at sea.

[joldnol]

I've always said half mast because my Dad was a thirty year navy vet and always used the term. Thanks for the education.

[cquick]

Thank you everyone who answered my question thoughtfully.

to the others....I have no comment.