Gov. Gregoire�s statement on the death of Port Orchard soldier

For Immediate Release: June 2, 2009

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire issued the following statement on the death of Army Specialist Samuel Stone, a member of the 81st Brigade Combat Team in southern Iraq who died early Sunday morning due to a mission-related accident:

�I am saddened by the loss of Specialist Samuel Stone. My prayers are with his parents, brothers, sister, and friends tonight. His service to our country, as well as the companionship he showed his fellow soldiers will not be forgotten.

�As an expression of the grief and gratitude felt by so many Washingtonians, I will be issuing an order for flags to be flown at half-staff to honor Specialist Stone�s memory.�