Gov. Gregoire orders flags flown at half-staff Wednesday, June 1st

For Immediate Release: May 26, 2011

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire has directed that flags at all Washington state agency buildings be lowered to half-staff Wednesday, June 1st, in memory of U.S. Army Sergeant Clifford Beattie, age 37, of Medical Lake. Beattie died May 22 of injuries sustained in Iraq when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle.

Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business Wednesday, or first thing Thursday morning, June 2nd.

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.