I looked out my window to see flags at half staff

[mnhtnbb]

on the State Capitol Building in Raleigh and immediately came to DU to see whether there was Latest Breaking News of who had died.

Eh.

On edit. Turns out it is in honor of National Fallen Firefighters Day.

[MrsCoffee]

1. It is in honor of National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Day.

https://ncadmin.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2020/10/02/flag-alert-lowering-us-and-nc-flags-half-staff-sunrise-sunset-monday

edit: Oops, I see you found that.

[mnhtnbb]

2. Yes, I just googled it. Didn't come up right away.

[lastlib]

3. (Are you on a ship?)

Ships have masts--hence the term "half-mast" applies to ships. On land, flags are flown on staffs, so the proper term is "half-staff."

Sorry to be a language nazi, but that one bugs me.

[mnhtnbb]

4. I guess I'm wishing I were on a ship

Thanks for the correction.