Governor Gina M. Raimondo has ordered that the U.S. and Rhode Island flags at all state facilities and buildings be flown at half-staff until sunset on December 7, in honor of the lives lost and forever changed on December 7, 1941.

“Today we honor the more than 2,400 innocent Americans who lost their lives during the attack on Pearl Harbor,” said Raimondo. “No amount of time will ever heal our nation’s grief for those lives cut short. But as we reflect on Pearl Harbor’s devastation, let us also remember those who survived and continued to serve our nation. May we always be inspired by their fortitude and bravery.”

Raimondo also asks Rhode Islanders to lower their flags as a mark of respect.

Ryan Belmore is the owner and publisher of What's Up Newp. He took over the publication in 2012 and has grown it into a three-time Rhode Island Monthly Best Local News Blog (2018, 2019, 2020). He was named LION Publishers Member of the Year in 2020 and received the Dominique Award from the Arts & Cultural Society of Newport County the same year. He has been awarded grants for investigative and community journalism, and continues to coach and mentor new local news publications nationwide. Ryan...