The people of Coronado turned out in the hundreds in tribute to honor the service, sacrifice and memory of Chief Petty Officer Charles Keating IV. He was killed as a result of enemy action in Iraq. A part of that tribute can be the half staffing of the U.S. Flag in honor of the deceased. I was told that the White House or the Pentagon authorizes this action on federal properties and the State Governor does the same for state facilities. The city of Coronado and the public schools had their flags half-staffed upon learning of Petty officer Keating’s death.. A person on the staff of the Commanding Officer, Naval Base Coronado informed me that Washington personnel had not authorized half staffing the flag at North Island or NAB.
I don’t know if the Mayor and the School Superintendent obtained permission or just directed it be done because it was the honorable thing to do, but is our military leadership so tied down by government rules and regulations that a Base Commander can not make an exception to such a higher authority directive. I am just curious.