HARTFORD — Governor Ned Lamont announced May 28 that he is directing U.S. and state flags in Connecticut to be flown at half-staff on Monday, May 31, 2021, from sunrise until noon in observance of Memorial Day to honor and mourn the members of the military who have died while serving the United States Armed Forces. As is customary and unique for this holiday, flags are lowered throughout the duration of the morning and then raised to full-staff promptly at noon for the remainder of the day. Accordingly, since no flag should fly higher than the U.S. flag, all other flags, including state, municipal, corporate, or otherwise, should also be lowered during this same duration of time.

[President Joseph Biden ordered US flags lowered to honor victims of the May 26 San Jose, Calif. shooting through sunset, May 30.]

In addition, Governor Lamont announced that the state will illuminate the Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge in New Haven — informally known among residents as the Q Bridge — in red, white, and blue lights each night this holiday weekend beginning on the evening of Friday, May 28, through Monday, May 31. Multicolored beacons capable of projecting light nearly six miles into the clear night sky will beam from sunset until the early morning hours. The bridge carries I-95 over the Quinnipiac River and is maintained by the Connecticut Department of Transportation.

“Our state and our nation are forever grateful for the men and women of the United States Armed Forces who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country and defending the freedoms that define who we are as a nation,” Governor Lamont said. “Enlisting in the military is one of the most selfless actions someone can take, and the United States is stronger for the service of those who defend it. On this Memorial Day, I ask everyone in Connecticut to please keep in your hearts the families of those who have lost loved ones in service to our nation. We owe all of them our respect and our gratitude.”

“We will always be indebted to the men and women who answered the call to defend our freedom and democracy,” Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz said. “This Memorial Day, and every day, we remember those who lost their lives while serving our country. We pay tribute to these men and women, their spouses, and families for their sacrifices. We will never forget their bravery and patriotism and we promise to keep their legacies alive.”