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Flags are flying at half-staff in parts of Kansas and in South Carolina on Saturday as governors honor a longtime county official and continue an ongoing tribute to former Senator Lindsey Graham.
On Friday, orders were also in effect in Michigan and North Carolina, with each state honoring a different person.
Today, flags are being flown under separate gubernatorial orders honoring public servants.
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Why It Matters
The observances serve as a visible sign of mourning and remembrance. Flying flags half-staff has been a longstanding practice of lowering the American flag to honor individuals who made significant contributions to their communities, state or country.
Governors often issue such directives to commemorate individuals' service and sacrifice, while encouraging residents, businesses and local governments to also participate.
Kansas Honors Dave Crofoot
In Kansas, Governor Laura Kelly directed flags be lowered in Marion County from sunup to sundown in honor of Marion County Commission Chairman Dave Crofoot.
"Chairman Crofoot's commitment to the betterment of Marion County will not be forgotten," Kelly said in a statement. "My sincere condolences go out to his loved ones during this difficult time."
The order applies only within Marion County and is scheduled to expire at sundown Saturday.
South Carolina's Ongoing Tribute to Lindsey Graham
In South Carolina, flags atop the State Capitol remain at half-staff under an order issued by the governor honoring Lindsey Graham, who passed away on July 11, 2026, and recognizing his "extraordinary legacy and lifetime of dedicated service to South Carolina and the United States."
The order directs flags at the State Capitol to remain lowered "until further order" and requests that flags at state buildings and political subdivisions across South Carolina be flown at half-staff as well.
North Carolina Honors Two Fort Bragg Soldiers
Separately, in North Carolina, Governor Josh Stein ordered all U.S. and North Carolina flags at state facilities to be flown at half-staff through sunset Friday in honor of 1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan and Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton, two Fort Bragg soldiers who were killed while serving in the Middle East.
The two soldiers were serving as part of the U.S. military's ongoing mission in the Middle East, where American forces continue to support regional partners, conduct counterterrorism operations against remnants of the Islamic State (ISIS), and help defend U.S. personnel and facilities from attacks by Iran-backed militant groups. Several thousand U.S. troops remain deployed across the region, including in Jordan and Iraq, as part of these long-running security operations.
The incidents underscore the persistent risks facing American service members deployed throughout the region, even as the U.S. role has shifted away from large-scale combat operations.
According to the governor's office, Feehan, a native of Ewa Beach, Hawaii, was killed while serving in Jordan on July 18. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 55th Air Defense Artillery Regiment at Fort Bragg, renamed Fort Liberty from 2023 to 2025, and had served as an Air Defense Artillery Officer after enlisting in the Army in 2019.
Swinton, a Fayetteville native, was killed while serving in Iraq on July 19. He was assigned to D Battery, 2nd Battalion, 55th Air Defense Artillery Regiment at Fort Bragg and enlisted as an air defense early warning system operator in 2017.
"North Carolina is grieving the losses of two heroes, alongside their families and loved ones," Stein said in a statement. "Sergeant Michael E. Swinton and First Lieutenant Tyler J. Feehan, who were both assigned to Fort Bragg, were recently killed in the line of duty in the Middle East. Each made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms, and we owe them a debt of gratitude we cannot adequately repay. May their memories be a blessing."
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Michigan Pays Tribute to Fallen Firefighter
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer ordered U.S. and Michigan flags across the state to be lowered to half-staff on Friday in honor of Sergeant Adam Amrozi, who died in the line of duty.
Amrozi served for 21 years with the Lincoln Park Fire Department and previously worked as a firefighter for the Riverview Fire Department.
Whitmer praised Amrozi's service, saying he was "a proud family man and dedicated public servant" who embodied the "selflessness, courage, and dedication firefighters across Michigan demonstrate each and every day."
The governor encouraged residents, businesses, schools and local governments to participate in the tribute by displaying the flag at half-staff as well.
What Is Half-Staff?
Under standard U.S. flag etiquette, a flag being flown at half-staff should first be raised briskly to the top of the pole before being lowered to the halfway position.
At the end of the day, it should again be raised briefly to full staff before being lowered completely.
What Happens Next
North Carolina's order expired at sunset Friday. Meanwhile, Michigan's observance was also limited to Friday's tribute for Sergeant Amrozi.
South Carolina's order remains in effect until further notice, meaning flags at the State Capitol will continue flying at half-staff until a subsequent order is issued.
South Carolina's Ongoing Tribute to Lindsey Graham
In South Carolina, flags atop the State Capitol remain at half-staff under an order issued by the governor honoring Lindsey Graham, who passed away on July 11, 2026, and recognizing his "extraordinary legacy and lifetime of dedicated service to South Carolina and the United States."
The order directs flags at the State Capitol to remain lowered "until further order" and requests that flags at state buildings and political subdivisions across South Carolina be flown at half-staff as well.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Jason Lemon and James Debens
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