Flag Day questions

Since a former president has just died, do I still decorate for Flag Day and the 4th of July in a normal way, or is there something different I should do? Is there an etiquette rule about remembering him during parties or celebrations, or is that an individual choice?

I don't have a flag, but if I did, would it need to be at half-mast, or is that only for public buildings? If it would need to be at half-mast, how long would that last? A week? A month? Would it make a difference if a president dies in office? And what about for a vice president or some other official; what is the rule? Is half-mast the same as half-staff?

Also, on a lighter note, any good craft ideas?

This came from http://www.usachoice.net/post-32/flagetiq.html

The Flag in Mourning
To place the flag at half staff, hoist it to the peak for an instant and lower it to a position half way between the top and bottom of the staff. The flag is to be raised again to the peak for a moment before it is lowered. On Memorial Day the flag is displayed at half staff until noon and at full staff from noon to sunset.

The flag is to be flown at half staff in mourning for designated, principal government leaders and upon presidential or gubernatorial order.

When used to cover a casket, the flag should be placed with the union at the head and over the left shoulder. It should not be lowered into the grave

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Another site I read indicated that half-mast and half-staff are one and the same, and that half-masting flags on private residences is up to the discretion of the owner. I guess you can always take your cue from governmental buildings (?).

Ooo, this site is better:

http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/flagetiq.html#3

"The flag shall be flown at half-staff 30 days from the death of the President or a former President; 10 days from the day of death of the Vice President, the Chief Justice or a retired Chief Justice of the United States, or the Speaker of the House of Representatives; from the day of death until interment of an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, a Secretary of an executive or military department, a former Vice President, or the Governor of a State, territory, or possession; and on the day of death and the following day for a Member of Congress. The flag shall be flown at half-staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day, unless that day is also Armed Forces Day."

I'm glad you asked about this; I'm getting an education.

We must love the truth more than we love our own opinions. –Paul and Rebecca Armstrong, eternitynow.org