Why are flags at half-staff across Washington state this weekend?

If you notice flags at half-staff across Washington state this weekend, it’s not for Armed Forces Day on May 17.

They’ll stay lowered through the weekend, raising on Sunday night or Monday morning.

Here’s why.

Flag lowerings in Washington state

Directives to lower the flag come from each state’s governor. Additionally, the president can order federal buildings to lower their flags, and those directives are generally echoed by governors.

Washington has a set of pre-determined flag lowerings, plus email notifications for added dates. The dates remaining this year are:

• Memorial Day - May 26

• Patriot Day - September 11

• National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day - December 7

Flags are always lowered in Washington state following the death of a principal federal or state government official, a member of the state’s armed forces while serving on active duty, or a state government employee or member of the public safety community killed in the line of duty.

State directives apply to state agency facilities, but businesses, organizations and individuals are invited to participate as well.

This weekend, flags are at half-staff in memory of Senator Bill Ramos, a Democratic state senator serving Issaquah who died on April 19.

Flags lowered for Senator Ramos

Governor Ferguson directed flags to half-staff this weekend, as a public memorial service will be held Sunday, May 18 at 3 p.m. in Issaquah. The governor’s order is for May 18, but allows agencies to lower their flags at the close of business Friday and raise them Monday morning, if preferable.

“I am deeply saddened by the death of Senator Bill Ramos and direct that Washington state and United States flags at all state agency facilities will be lowered to half-staff in his memory on Sunday, May 18, 2025,” Ferguson’s order states.

Ramos died suddenly at age 69 while running on a trail near his home, according to a statement from his wife, King County Council member Sarah Perry. He leaves behind Perry and two children, Max and Maya.

Many legislators, organizations and agencies made statements mourning the loss of Sen. Ramos, including the King County Council and the SnoValley Chamber of Commerce. He served on the Issaquah City Council in the late 2010s, moving on to the state legislature in 2019.

“He led with humility and heart, always putting people first,” said Sen. Rebecca Saldaña (D-Seattle), co-chair of the Washington State Latino Democratic Caucus, in a statement. Ramos was a founding member of the state’s Latino Democratic Caucus.

Ramos was honored by his fellow legislators on the last day of the legislative session. Reporting from The Olympian’s State Government Reporter, Simone Carter, described the many attributes he was (and will continue to be) remembered for, including his positivity, his dedication and his adventurous spirit.

This story was originally published May 16, 2025 at 1:53 PM.