Flags to Fly at Half-Staff for Kennedy

(CBS/AP)  Barack Obama issued a presidential proclamation Wednesday, ordering that U.S. flags around the world fly at half-mast in honor of Sen. Edward Kennedy, who died late Tuesday night.

The proclamation applies to flags at the White House, public buildings, and U.S. embassies, consulates and military installations around the world as well as those on U.S. Navy ships - but the orders are customarily observed by anyone who flies the flag.

The flags are ordered to fly at half-mast until sunset on Aug. 30.

"Senator Edward M. Kennedy was not only one of the greatest
senators of our time, but one of the most accomplished Americans ever to serve our democracy," the president said in a statement accompanying his decree. "Over the past half century, nearly every major piece of legislation that has advanced the civil rights, health, and economic well-being of the American people bore his name and resulted from his efforts. With his passing, an important chapter in our American story has come to an end."

Kennedy was the last surviving brother in an political dynasty and one of the most influential senators in history. He died following a yearlong struggle with brain cancer. He was 77.

More Kennedy coverage:

Kennedy to Be Buried at Arlington
"Liberal Lion" Remembered
No Immediate Action on Succession
In His Own Words
"The Last Brother"
Life in the Public's Glare
In Pictures: The Kennedys
Obits from U.S. Newspapers
Brothers "Would Have been Proud"

In nearly 50 years in the Senate, Kennedy, a liberal Democrat from Massachusetts, served alongside 10 presidents - his brother John Fitzgerald Kennedy among them - compiling an impressive list of legislative achievements on health care, civil rights, education, immigration and more.

In a brief statement to reporters at his rented vacation home on Martha's Vineyard, Mass., Mr. Obama eulogized Kennedy as one of the "most accomplished Americans" in history - and a man whose work in Congress helped give millions new opportunities.

"Including myself," added the nation's first black president.

CBS News has learned that Kennedy will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery. At the eternal flame rests four Kennedy family members, including the former president, Jacqueline Kennedy, their baby son, Patrick, who died after two days, and a still-born child. Former Sen. Robert Kennedy F. Kennedy is buried a short distance away.

[MikeTheTiger]

This whole expired corrupt bunch, cursed, began with a cowardly, whiskey peddling sob! Wake up America! You have been in a deep Satanic coma!

[mal_1234567]

Democrats and news outlets such as this one have from day one only used this "tragedy" as an opportunity to push health care reform. Notice that his obituary was accompanied by a speech Kennedy gave in the late 1970s in which he stated that the health care system was broken and needed to be reformed. These news people are disgusting.

[differnet]

I wonder if people's parents ever taught them good manners. When a person passes away, if you can't say anything nice, you don't say anything at all. You give people time to grieve and then move on. Ted Kennedy's life will be the fodder of many fine books by historians who will look at him as a whole. My mother would be ashamed of me for making such negative, hateful comments on the death of a man who others cared for either individually or as community.

[woeisme1]

I do believe camelot died today. The Kennedy ledgend is over with. The passing of the last of the three brothers... the three greatest politicians we have known in ages, beckoned Camelot home to rest.

But the Kennedy charm and charisma will live on through history. No family in America's political history can compare with what can only be described as mountainous amount of good the Kennedy name is associated with or attatched to.

The Kennedy's never entered politics for money - certainly not Teddy. Who would suffer the loss of his brothers, live with the fear of assasination, suffer for years the agonizing pain of a once broken back that never ceased it's severe discomfort only to dream about the needs of others as if they were more important than his own. We don't have politician's like that anymore.


Americans are exceedingly grateful for this man's convictions, his stamina, his courage and his capacity for compromise. His qualities are enduring and would benefit many modern politicians.

He was rich and had need for nothing...nothing but "the dream".


Camelot may be gone...but the dream springs eternal.


It's ironic that for 40 years Kennedy worked to make healthcare for all Americans a right, not a priviledge.

It's a shame but perhaps in his death, that vote will speak even louder, be even more powerful, and in his memory this crucial legislation will get done.

I disagree with CBS news. Kennedy's vote may be gone, but his resolve lives on even stronger than ever. We WILL have healthcare for all. Watch. This does'nt end our united cause, this energizes it.

And that's so like a Kennedy, especially Teddy. Even in death, he will serve America's best interests.

[TheMasses2002]

The flag should be at half-mast for our military dying overseas every day. Not for corrupt politicians.