Can the governor order the US flag half-staffed for anyone he or she chooses?
No. Section 7m of the Flag Code authorizes a governor to half-staff the US flag upon the death of a present or former official of the government of the state, or the death of a member of the Armed Forces from that state who dies while serving on active duty. The President, by comparison, is authorized to half-staff the US flag by proclamation upon the death of principal figures of the US Government and the Governor of a State, territory, or possession, as well as in the event of the death of other officials or foreign dignitaries. We recommend flying the state flag at half-staff. A recent change allows governors to order the flag to half-staff to honor fallen soldiers from their state (see Public Law 110-41). The change was the result of governor proclamations, like this one from Governor Granholm of Michigan. Some object to this extension of a governor’s authority because they feel half-staffing the flag for every fallen soldier can be seen as anti-war. Some feel that overuse cheapens
