DeSantis Orders Flags at Half-Staff to Honor Musician Behind Florida’s New Anthem

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has ordered U.S. and Florida flags lowered to half-staff on Monday, Nov. 2, in memory of country musician John Anderson. The artist, a native of Apopka and a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, died Oct. 21 at age 71. A few days earlier, the governor had designated his song “Seminole Wind” as the state’s official anthem.

According to a memorandum issued Oct. 30, flags are to be lowered from sunrise to sunset at the State Capitol in Tallahassee and on all buildings, facilities and grounds owned by state and local governments in Apopka.

The decision is the latest action by the DeSantis administration to honor the artist and his ties to Florida. On Oct. 27, the governor signed an executive order giving the 1992 song “Seminole Wind” the status of Florida’s official anthem. The song refers to the state’s landscape, its history and its vanishing wildlife. DeSantis stressed that Anderson’s work “had a positive impact on a generational investment in protecting the heritage, natural environment and lifestyle of the Sunshine State, which resulted in accelerating the restoration of the American Everglades.”

The governor also announced additional ways to honor the musician. Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd was instructed to install commemorative plaques in Apopka describing Anderson’s contribution to the state’s heritage. In addition, the system of roads and nature trails on the north shore of Lake Apopka will be renamed the “John Anderson Wildlife Drive and Trail System.”

“Seminole Wind” is best known among fans of the Florida State University football team. The song is played at every home game at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee.

Editor: JŁ

Source: Słoneczne Radio