Gov. Gregoire orders flags flown at half-staff Thursday, Oct. 1

For Immediate Release: September 28, 2009

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire has directed that flags at all Washington state agency buildings be lowered to half-staff Thursday, Oct. 1, in memory of U.S. Army Specialist Joseph V. White of Bellevue. White was killed last week in Afghanistan when his military vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.

Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business Thursday, or first thing Friday morning, Oct. 2.

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.