Please be advised that as a sign of respect for the memory of former Prime Minister of Japan Abe Shinzo, and in accordance with a Presidential proclamation, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker has ordered that the United States of America flag and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts flag shall be flown at half-staff at all state buildings beginning immediately, and continuing until sunset on Sunday, July 10, 2022.

This half-staff order shall be observed concurrent with the existing half-staff observance on behalf of the victims of the senseless acts of gun violence in Highland Park, Illinois, with the half-staff order extended to include Sunday, July 10, 2022. Additionally, as previously ordered in Massachusetts, the United States of America flag and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts flag should remain at half-staff through Monday, July 11, 2022, in honor of Massachusetts Army National Guard Colonel Brett Patrick Conaway, of Natick, MA.

Therefore, in Massachusetts, the United States of America flag and Commonwealth of Massachusetts flag should not return to full staff until sunrise on Tuesday, July 12, 2022.

This gubernatorial order applies to:

1.  The main or administration building of each public institution of the Commonwealth, e.g. town and city halls

2.  Other state-owned or state-controlled buildings

3.  All state military installations