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WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S. flags were flown at half-staff Wednesday and will stay there for 30 days to mark the death of former President Gerald Ford.
At federal buildings including the White House and Capitol, flags were stopped halfway up their poles Wednesday, following congressionally adopted guidelines and an order from President Bush. At U.S. embassies and military bases around the world, flags also went to half-staff.
The U.S. Flag Code prescribes flags at half-staff for 30 days after a president or former president dies. A sitting vice president, current and former chief justices, and the speaker of the House receive 10 days at half-staff upon their deaths. Former vice presidents, associate justices of the Supreme Court, cabinet members, military chiefs and governors all are honored with half-staff treatment until burial. Members of Congress are honored with half-staff flags on the day of their death and the next day.
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