Often times, we pass by a flag flown at half-staff and have no idea why, if it isn’t a national holiday, the flag is being displayed in such a manner.  For many of us, this question is quickly forgotten as we continue on with our daily lives. For Kevin Freitas, a web developer living in Tacoma, it became something more than just a passing thought. 

After searching the internet for an easy way to locate information about why the flag was being flown at half-staff in a particular location and finding virtually nothing, Freitas decided to create his own Web site in which he hoped would be a simple, central resource for users, called, HalfStaff.us. 

Users to the site are able to view the names and state of the honoree in which the flag is being flown for that day, as well as those for whom it has been flown for since May of 2008.

“Whether for military personnel or otherwise, the flag is lowered to half-staff for a reason and people should be able to easily find out why and take heed of that fact,” Freitas said. “There are many who work to provide and secure our way of life here in this country every day in the military, government, essential services, etc and they deserve our respect and thanks whether the flag is at half-staff for them or not. I wanted to add meaning and context to such a simple yet symbolic act in this country.”

Freitas monitors various news sources via the web daily and uses those to confirm and obtain actual proclamations from Governor's offices around the country or the Office of the President.

Freitas is also the organizer for the Tacoma community site, FeedTacoma.com.