By Jeff Deminski

Is this petty of me? I was bothered today that my bank, as I passed it along the way to drop my children off at school, had their flag at full staff like normal. According to the executive order issued by Governor Christie it is, of course, only state departments, state offices, public buildings, etc. that this executive order addresses. I get that. Yet it feels wrong to me that ANY U.S. flag is not lowered today. I'm not saying they're violating an executive order since it doesn't apply to them. I just feel morally any business with a flag pole ought to be doing the same thing. If you're curious of the wording you can read the executive order below.

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 139

WHEREAS, on September 11, 2001, unprecedented terrorist attacks were launched on New York, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania; and

WHEREAS, more than one quarter of the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks were New Jerseyans, with nearly seven hundred of our residents killed in the attacks; and

WHEREAS, many New Jerseyans, including thousands of police, fire, military, emergency and construction personnel responded to this tragedy; and

WHEREAS, these horrific attacks not only caused a tremendous loss of life, but also inflicted immense pain and anguish on those who survived the events of that day; and

WHEREAS, twelve years later, the lives of hundreds of New Jersey families are still dramatically affected by the loss of a parent, spouse, child or other loved one; and

WHEREAS, this tragic event will be remembered by all New Jerseyans, both privately as well as in public remembrances and memorial ceremonies; and

WHEREAS, it is fitting that this day be observed with full solemnity, in tribute to the thousands of innocent victims who perished in the attacks;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, CHRIS CHRISTIE, Governor of the State of New Jersey, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and by the Statutes of this State, do hereby ORDER and DIRECT:

1. The flag of the United States of America and the flag of the State of New Jersey shall be flown at half-staff at all State departments, offices, agencies, instrumentalities and all2 public buildings during appropriate hours on Wednesday, September 11, 2013 in recognition and mourning of all of those lost in the September 11th attacks, and particularly, those lost

from our home State.

2.

This Order shall take effect immediately.

GIVEN, under my hand and seal this 10th day of September,

Two Thousand and Thirteen, and of the Independence of the United States, the Two Hundred and Thirty-Eighth.

/s/ Chris Christie Governor

[seal]

Attest:

/s/ Charles B. McKenna Chief Counsel to the Governor

More From New Jersey 101.5 FM