ST. PAUL (AP) - Nearly every day somewhere in the country, the Stars and Stripes is flying low, ordered to half-staff in one of the most significant official gestures of mourning and respect.

An Associated Press analysis of proclamations from 50 state governors and the federal government found American flags were ordered lowered at least someplace 328 days during 2015.

They honored hundreds of people including slain soldiers, terror attack victims, baseball legend Yogi Berra and one of the Navajo code talkers who helped stymie the Japanese during World War II.

Flag buffs have noted that such honors have increased over time, and they and other Americans have questioned whether the country has lowered the bar on the lowering of the flag. But while some states tightened rules in recent years, others faced criticism for withholding the tribute.

There were four instances in which Gov. Mark Dayton ordered the flag flown at half-staff last year on at least some government property, not including proclamations that came from the federal government:

- Feb. 3: Immortal Four Chaplains Day, honoring four chaplains aboard an army transport ship in 1943 who sacrificed their lives to save others after it was struck by a torpedo.

- Sept. 9: St. Paul firefighter and medic Shane Clifton, who had a heart attack while on duty

- Sept. 27: National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Day

- Oct. 23: Aitkin County Deputy and Aitkin volunteer firefighter Steven Sandberg, who was killed after a hospital patient grabbed his weapon and shot him

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