No Longer Flying In the Dark

Matt Drost works on adjusting the recently installed lighting that helps to illuminate the American Flag and the Mahaska County Courthouse

Oskaloosa, Iowa – There is no absolute prohibition in federal law on flying the flag twenty-four hours a day. The Flag Code states:
It is the universal custom to display the flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open. However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed 24 hours a day if properly illuminated during hours of darkness. This is according to Congressional Research Service in a report for the proper display of the United States Flag.

This issue had been a sore spot for the Mahaska County Courthouse, where for some time the American Flag was not illuminated after sunset.

That all recently changed with the installation of a lighting system donated by Musco Lighting of Oskaloosa. The 300 watt LED system was being calibrated today because it was thought that the courthouse was maybe too bright. “If you make something too bright, it kind of stands out; you notice the lighting and not the building.” says Matt Drost as he worked away on the light panels.

Even though today was nearly 90 degrees, they said that it was about 10 degrees cooler than when they installed the lighting nearly 2 weeks ago. Since then, the lights have been on and working for the last week.