Gov. Gregoire orders flags flown at half-staff Thursday, April 15

For Immediate Release: April 13, 2010

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire has directed that flags at all Washington state agency buildings be lowered to half-staff Thursday, April 15, in memory of U.S. Army Specialist Joseph T. Caron of Tacoma. Caron died earlier this week in Afghanistan when in improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle.

Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business Thursday, or first thing Friday morning, April 16.

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.