Why are flags at half-staff in Virginia?

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Flags will be flown at half-staff across Virginia on Wednesday in memory of a former Virginia Supreme Court Justice who died over the weekend.

On the afternoon of Tuesday, March 18, Gov. Glenn Youngkin ordered that all Virginia and United States flags at state and local buildings be flown at half-staff on Wednesday, March 19 in honor of Lawrence L. Koontz, Jr.

According to the Governor's Office, Koontz spent nearly six decades of his life serving at every court level in the Virginia judicial system. He died in Salem, Virginia on Sunday, March 16 at 85 years old.

Flags are to be lowered at sunrise on Wednesday and should remain at half-staff until sunset that day.