Governor Josh Stein ordered all U.S. and North Carolina flags at state facilities to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Tuesday, September 22, in honor of U.S. military veteran Sean Michael Lee, who passed away on Sunday, September 13, 2026.

Lee served more than 20 years in the United States Army, including multiple combat deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. In 2021, while serving in Afghanistan, he helped coordinate the safe passage and evacuation of thousands of Afghan allies and others. In 2022, he helped established field hospitals and participated in an operation to evacuate a gravely wounded Fox News correspondent, Benjamin Hall, from Ukraine.

He also rendered aid to those affected by Hurricane Helene, assisting communities when roads, communication, and other systems had collapsed. Lee is credited for work with the Independence Fund, a nonprofit organization that provides programs and services to wounded, injured, or ill veterans and their families. He most recently served in U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs under Secretary Doug Collins.

Funeral services for Sean Michael Lee will be held on Tuesday, September 22, at 2 p.m. in Weddington, North Carolina.

Statement from Governor Stein
“Sean Michael Lee spent his career in service to this country, defending our freedoms and then supporting those who made that same courageous choice. Let us support his family and friends as they navigate this loss, and let us honor his memory by continuing to support our men and women in uniform. May his memory be a blessing.”

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Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government subdivisions are also encouraged to fly flags at half-staff for the duration of time indicated.