Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm issued an executive order that flags across Michigan would be flown at half-staff to honor Michigan soldiers who die in service to the nation in Afghanistan and Iraq. In order to make the order work, her office issues a press release designating the day, and the governor’s website makes note, too. I get an e-mail notification; you may sign up for e-mails at the governor’s website.
Are other states making it as easy to know when to fly flags at half-staff?
Here is Gov. Granholm’s latest press release, on Friday, August 17, 2007:
Flags to be Flown Half-Staff Friday for Army Private First Class Jordan E. Goode
LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today ordered United States flags throughout the state of Michigan and on Michigan waters lowered for one day on Tuesday, August 21, 2007, in honor of Army Private First Class Jordan E. Goode, of Kalamazoo, who died August 11 while on active duty in Afghanistan. Flags should return to full-staff on Wednesday, August 22.
Pfc. Goode, age 21, died in Zormont, Afghanistan, from wounds suffered from an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 4th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Under Section 7 of Chapter 1 of Title 4 of the United States Code, 4 USC 7, Governor Granholm, in December 2003, issued a proclamation requiring United States flags lowered to half-staff throughout the state of Michigan and on Michigan waters to honor Michigan servicemen and servicewomen killed in the line of duty. Procedures for flag lowering were detailed by Governor Granholm in Executive Order 2006-10.
When flown at half-staff or half-mast, the United States flag should be hoisted first to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff or half-mast position. The flag should again be raised to the peak before it is lowered for the day.
When a member of the armed services from Michigan is killed in action, the governor will issue a press release with information about the individual(s) and the day that has been designated for flags to be lowered in his or her honor. The information will also be posted on Governor Granholm’s website at www.michigan.gov/gov in the section titled “Spotlight.”
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Our condolences go out to the family of Pvt. Jordan Goode.
And our compliments for helping people with flag etiquette go to Gov. Granholm.
Millard Fillmore's Bathtub 
I think this kind of respect is well placed.
I found this video really puts things in perspective:
http://www.roty.com/DoYouRememberMe/DoYouRememberMe.html
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