Gov. Gregoire orders flags flown at half-staff Tuesday, Dec. 14

For Immediate Release: December 9, 2010

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire has directed that flags at all Washington state agency buildings be lowered to half-staff Tuesday, Dec. 14, in memory of U. S. Marine Corps Sgt. Jason D. Peto, 31, of Vancouver. Peto died earlier this week from wounds received last month while conducting combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business Tuesday, or first thing Wednesday morning, Dec. 15.

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.