Flags at Half-Staff Across Virginia and Wisconsin to Honor Fallen Firefighters

Key facts

• Governor Abigail Spanberger ordered flags in Virginia at half-staff on Sunday, May 3, from sunrise to sunset.
• Governor Tony Evers signed Executive Order #290 ordering flags in Wisconsin at half-staff on May 3, September 26, and October 10, 2026.
• The orders honor fallen firefighters and mark the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend on May 2-3, 2026.
• Virginia's order is for May 3 only; Wisconsin's order covers three separate dates.
• Wisconsin's September 26 half-staff coincides with the Final Alarm Ceremony at the Wisconsin Fire & EMS Memorial in Wisconsin Rapids.
• October 10 half-staff in Wisconsin aligns with Wisconsin Firefighters Memorial Day during Fire Prevention Week.
• Wisconsin state law designates the week of October 9 as Fire Prevention Week and the following Saturday as Memorial Day.

A Coordinated Tribute Across Two States

Flags in Virginia and Wisconsin will be flown at half-staff this Sunday, May 3, as both states honor firefighters who died in the line of duty. The coordinated lowering marks the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend, a national observance that this year falls on May 2–3, 2026. Governor Abigail Spanberger of Virginia and Governor Tony Evers of Wisconsin each issued separate orders directing that United States and state flags be lowered from sunrise to sunset on Sunday. The gestures, though independent, reflect a shared recognition of the sacrifices made by firefighters nationwide.

Virginia’s Solemn Salute

Governor Spanberger’s order applies only to Sunday, May 3, and covers all flags in Virginia. In a statement released by her office, she said: “Virginia’s volunteer and professional firefighters run toward danger to protect their neighbors and communities. We honor the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.” The order does not specify additional dates, focusing the state’s tribute squarely on the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend.

Wisconsin’s Three-Day Observance

Governor Evers went further, signing Executive Order #290 that mandates half-staff on three separate days in 2026: May 3, September 26, and October 10. The first date aligns with the national memorial weekend, while the latter two commemorate state-specific events. Evers also proclaimed May 2–3, 2026, as National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend in Wisconsin. In his proclamation, he stated: “Our firefighters run toward danger, putting their health, safety, and life at risk to serve our neighbors during what is often their darkest hour of need. For that, we owe them an incredible debt of gratitude.”

State Ceremonies and Legal Mandates

The September 26 half-staff order corresponds with the Final Alarm Ceremony at the Wisconsin Fire & EMS Memorial in Wisconsin Rapids, an event that honors firefighters who have died in the line of duty. The October 10 date is tied to Wisconsin Firefighters Memorial Day, which state law designates as the Saturday at the end of Fire Prevention Week. Wisconsin law establishes the week of October 9 as Fire Prevention Week annually, and the Saturday concluding that week is set aside as Wisconsin Firefighters Memorial Day. Executive Order #290 ensures flags are lowered on that day as well.

A National Moment of Remembrance

The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend, observed each year on the first Sunday in May, serves as a unified moment for the country to remember firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty. The weekend includes ceremonies at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Emmitsburg, Maryland, and is supported by the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation. By ordering flags at half-staff, Governors Spanberger and Evers are participating in a tradition that extends beyond their states, linking local tributes to a broader national acknowledgment of service and sacrifice.

What Comes Next

For Virginia, the observance is a single-day event. For Wisconsin, the governor’s executive order sets a precedent for multiple commemorations throughout the year, each tied to specific ceremonies and legal requirements. The Final Alarm Ceremony in September and Firefighters Memorial Day in October will provide additional opportunities for communities to gather and honor their fallen. The orders do not affect other states, but they highlight how individual governors can use the symbolic power of flag protocol to underscore public gratitude. As the weekend approaches, families, colleagues, and citizens will see the lowered flags as a visible reminder of the ultimate price paid by those who run toward danger.

The bottom line

• Flags in Virginia and Wisconsin will be at half-staff on Sunday, May 3, 2026, for National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend.
• Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers ordered flags lowered on three dates: May 3, September 26, and October 10, 2026.
• Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger’s order covers only May 3, from sunrise to sunset.
• Wisconsin’s September 26 half-staff coincides with the Final Alarm Ceremony at the Wisconsin Fire & EMS Memorial.
• October 10 is Wisconsin Firefighters Memorial Day, mandated by state law during Fire Prevention Week.
• Both governors issued statements thanking firefighters and honoring those who died in the line of duty.