Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has directed flags to be flown at half-staff to honor former U.S. Secretary of State and retired General Colin Powell. DeSantis' announcement joined a similar proclamation by President Joe Biden earlier Monday, the Tallahassee Democrat reports. The governor directed the U.S. and state flags QUOTE "to half-staff at all local and state buildings, installations, and grounds throughout the State of Florida immediately until sunset on Friday." UNQUOTE Powell, 84, died Monday morning of complications from COVID-19, according to a statement from his family shared on his Facebook page. The four-star general was the first African American Secretary of State in U.S. history, serving from 2001 to 2005 under former President George W. Bush.