Gov. Gregoire orders flags flown at half-staff Monday, April 5

For Immediate Release: April 1, 2010

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire has directed that flags at all Washington state agency buildings be lowered to half-staff Monday, April 5, in memory of U.S. Army Private First Class James L. Miller of Yakima. Miller died earlier this week in Afghanistan when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle.

Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business Monday, or first thing Tuesday morning, April 6.

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.