Gov. Gregoire orders flags flown at half-staff Thursday, Feb. 17th

For Immediate Release: February 16, 2011

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire has directed that flags at all Washington state agency buildings be lowered to half-staff Thursday, Feb. 17th, in memory of Washington State Department of Natural Resources employee Sam Gaydeski of Beaver. Gaydeski was killed on the job Monday while clearing brush near Clearwater in Jefferson County.

Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business Thursday, or first thing Friday morning, Feb. 18th.

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.