CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - On Thursday, the nation will be observing a National Day of Mourning for former President Jimmy Carter, who passed away at 100 years old last week. President Joe Biden declared January 9th as a day of mourning, which is when the state funeral will also take place. Local political consultant Tony Cignoli says that this has been an ongoing tradition to honor and reflect on the life and service of former presidents. Cignoli adds that there must be an executive order passed by the current sitting president. Flags will be flown at half-staff, and most federal services, like the post office, will stop operations for the day. "The opportunity to take a moment to think about what that president did or did not do, what the accomplished---the idea is that this is not its just another day and folks don't pay enough heed to the passing of a significant chief executive---the president of the united states," says Cignoli. The last day of national mourning was observed for George H W Bush back in 2018. Local News Headlines Experts warn about cold-related illnesses during this wind chill Nation to honor Jimmy Carter on National Day of Mourning Thursday Springfield task force aids unhoused in freezing temps Northampton considers fossil fuel ban for new buildings WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.