Gov. Gregoire orders flags flown at half-staff Wednesday, Sept. 29

For Immediate Release: September 27, 2010

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire has directed that flags at all Washington state agency buildings be lowered to half-staff Wednesday, Sept. 29, in memory of U. S. Army Chief Warrant Officer Two Jonah D. McClellan, 26, of Battle Ground. McClellan died last week when his helicopter crashed in Qalat, Afghanistan.

Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business Wednesday, or first thing Thursday morning, Sept. 30.

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.