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Gov. Gregoire orders flags flown at half-staff Tuesday - Flag lowering honors fallen soldier from Marysville

For Immediate Release: May 12, 2008

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire has directed that flags at all Washington state agency buildings be lowered to half-staff Tuesday, May 13, in memory of U.S. Army Reserve Spc. Joseph M. Cerfus of Marysville. Cerfus died May 5 during a military training exercise in Canada.

Flags will remain at half-staff until sunset Tuesday or first thing Wednesday morning, May 14.

Last year, Congress amended the U.S. Flag Code to give governors the authority to lower flags when a state resident in the military is killed in the line of duty. Other government entities, citizens and businesses are encouraged to join in this recognition.

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