The next time a Kansan is killed in the line of duty, the U.S. flag will be lowered to half-staff in the Sunflower State.

Gov. Kathleen Sebelius made that an executive order Thursday. She said she wanted to make sure flag etiquette was consistent throughout the state. When the time comes, Sebelius will announce when to lower the flag.

“The act symbolizes our gratitude for their sacrifice and our immense sorrow for their family’s loss,” Sebelius said in a statement.

That doesn’t mean flags will be lowered every time a soldier from Fort Riley or another Kansas military base is killed.

“What we’ve been advised to look at is the home of record,” said Seth Bundy, Sebelius’ spokesman. “So they may have an address at Fort Riley, but the home of record might be in another state.”

According to the executive order, the U.S. flag will be displayed at half-staff throughout Kansas when a member of the Kansas Army National Guard, a member of the Kansas Air National Guard or a Kansas resident in the U.S. Armed Forces is killed in the line of duty.

The change follows precedent set by President Bush, who recently approved similar measures, Sebelius said.

When the U.S. flag is flown at half-staff, state and other flags should be removed or flown at half-staff, too.

Since April 2003, 14 Kansas military personnel have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Seven of them were members of the National Guard.