Gov. Gregoire orders flags flown at half-staff Tuesday, March 29th

For Immediate Release: March 24, 2011

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire has directed that flags at all Washington state agency buildings be lowered to half-staff Tuesday, March 29th, in memory of U.S. Army Corporal Brandon S. Hocking of Seattle. Hocking died March 21 of injuries sustained when an improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle in Iraq.

Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business Tuesday, or first thing Wednesday morning, March 30th.

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.