Gov. Gregoire orders flags flown at half-staff Thursday, Aug. 27

For Immediate Release: August 26, 2009

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire has directed that flags at all Washington state agency buildings be lowered to half-staff Thursday, Aug. 27, in memory of U.S. Army First Sergeant Jose S. Crisostomo of Spanaway. Crisostomo was killed on Aug. 18 in Kabul, Afghanistan, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle.

Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business Thursday, or first thing Friday morning, Aug. 28.

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.