Honoring the Memory of Specialist Sarah Beckstrom, West Virginia Army National Guard

12/4/2025

Proclamations

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Memorial Recognition: Honor Specialist Sarah Beckstrom of the West Virginia Army National Guard.
Flag Protocol: Order to fly the U.S. flag at half-staff at the White House, public buildings, military posts, naval stations, and vessels.
Geographic Scope: Applies to all U.S. locations including the District of Columbia, U.S. Territories and possessions, and U.S. embassies abroad.
Duration: Flags to remain at half-staff until sunset on December 4, 2025.
Presidential Authority: Action taken under the President’s constitutional and legal authority, and formalized by President Donald J. Trump.

This proclamation is primarily ceremonial, honoring the memory of Specialist Sarah Beckstrom by lowering flags to half-staff. It does not introduce new policies or regulations that directly impact university operations or strategy.
The action is of symbolic significance, aiming to show respect and solidarity. It can be perceived as supporting military and veteran communities, which might have intangible benefits in terms of public relations and community engagement.
Vanderbilt University could consider acknowledging the proclamation in its communications to align with national sentiment, especially if the university has affiliations with ROTC programs or veterans’ associations.
No immediate or direct operational changes are required for the university as a result of this proclamation.

The Vanderbilt University ROTC Program may choose to observe the flag-lowering and use it as an opportunity to engage with students and the community about the significance of such honors.
The Office of Public Affairs might consider issuing a statement or social media post to express condolences and honor specialist Beckstrom’s memory, which could foster goodwill and community connection.

There are no anticipated financial impacts or changes in funding related to this proclamation. It is symbolic and does not affect budgetary or financial planning.
Vanderbilt University’s existing programs and funding streams remain unaffected, with no new financial obligations or opportunities directly arising from this action.

Relevance Score: 1 (The order is ceremonial and does not present direct impacts on the university’s programs or strategies.)

N/A – This proclamation is a ceremonial directive to honor a military individual by lowering flags to half-staff and does not directly impact Vanderbilt University’s operations or strategic initiatives.

N/A – The nature of the proclamation is ceremonial, and there are no evident opportunities for the university to capitalize on within this context.

Relevance Score: 1

Average Relevance Score: 2

The directive requires that the U.S. flag be flown at half-staff immediately and remain so until sunset on December 4, 2025.

Relevance Score: 5

The White House / Executive Office of the President: This proclamation directs the United States flag at the White House to be flown at half-staff, symbolizing the mark of respect commanded by the President.
Department of Defense (U.S. Military): All military posts, installations, naval stations, and vessels are instructed to display the flag at half-staff, encompassing the U.S. Army, Navy, and associated military entities.
Department of State: U.S. embassies, legations, consular offices, and other diplomatic facilities abroad are mandated to also display the flag at half-staff, indicating the directive’s reach to American diplomatic missions worldwide.
General Public and Federal Public Buildings: The order applies to all public buildings and grounds across the nation, impacting all federal agencies that manage these facilities.

Relevance Score: 2 (A moderate number of Federal Agencies and government facilities are impacted by the directive.)

N/A – The proclamation orders that flags be flown at half-staff across all relevant federal locations but does not designate any specific official to implement the directive.

Relevance Score: 1 (The directive is ceremonial and lacks specific implementation instructions that affect designated high-level officials.)