Gov. Gregoire orders flags flown at half-staff

For Immediate Release: July 28, 2010

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire has directed that flags at all Washington state agency buildings be lowered to half-staff Tuesday, August 3, in memory of U.S. Army First Lieutenant Robert N. Bennedsen of Vashon Island. Bennedsen died July 18 in Afghanistan of injuries he sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his convoy.

Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business Tuesday, or first thing Wednesday morning, August 4.

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.


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