The US Flag Code has guided many people on what to do with their American flags in the days following the death of former Vice President Dick Cheney, even if formal orders have not been issued.

Cheney died on November 3. George W. Bush’s vice president died from complications of pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease, his family said Tuesday, November 4 in a statement.

The AP called the 83-year-old Republican a “hard-charging conservative who became one of the most powerful and polarizing vice presidents in US history and a leading advocate for the invasion of Iraq” in announcing the former leader’s death the following day.

President Donald Trump said nothing publicly about Cheney in the hours after his death was disclosed. The White House lowered flags to half-staff but without the usual announcement nor proclamation offering condolences, praise, and an order for the country to lower flags as a mark of respect.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt did not mention Cheney’s death in a press briefing last week until she was asked by a reporter, and then made only perfunctory comments, also according to the AP.

“I know the president is aware of the former vice president’s passing. And as you saw, flags have been lowered to half-staff in accordance with statutory law,” Leavitt said.

The US Flag Code (4 US Code § 7) specifies that for a former vice president, the flag is flown at half-staff from the day of death until interment.

The flag on Newtown’s Main Street flagpole was lowered by sunset Monday, November 3. Flags across the town have subsequently been lowered, although without a formal order to do so.

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont has not formally ordered flags lowered. The State of Connecticut website this week only noted flags are currently at half-staff, but no explanation is posted.

At least 12 governors have issued statements or directives, following US flag code for honoring a deceased former Vice President.

National Governors Association issued a brief statement on November 4:

“Vice President Cheney devoted his life to serving our country. He led with strength, steadiness, and a clear sense of duty through some of America’s most defining moments. His work in Congress, the Pentagon, and the White House reflected a deep commitment to the nation he loved.

“The National Governors Association extends heartfelt condolences to the Cheney family and honors his legacy of service to the United States,” the statement concluded.

Years after leaving office, Cheney became a target of President Trump, especially after his daughter Liz Cheney became the leading Republican critic and examiner of Trump’s desperate attempts to stay in power after his 2020 election defeat and his actions in the January 6, 2021 riot at the Capitol.

“In our nation’s 246-year history, there has never been an individual who was a greater threat to our republic than Donald Trump,” Cheney said in a television ad for his daughter. “He tried to steal the last election using lies and violence to keep himself in power after the voters had rejected him. He is a coward.”

Cheney announced last year he was voting for Democratic candidate Kamala Harris for president against Trump.

He is survived by his wife, Lynne, and two daughters, Mary and Liz.

Cheney’s funeral will begin at 11 am Thursday, November 20. It will be conducted at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.

Flags should return to full staff at sunset that evening.