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

For Immediate Release: February 2, 2009

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire has directed that flags at all Washington state agency buildings be lowered to half-staff Tuesday, Feb. 3, in memory of U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer Benjamin H. Todd of Colville. Todd was killed on Jan. 26, while flying one of two helicopters that crashed at Kirkuk in northern Iraq.

Flags should remain at half-staff until sunset Tuesday, or first thing Wednesday morning, Feb. 4.

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