Gov. Gregoire orders flags flown at half-staff Thursday, June 2nd

For Immediate Release: June 1, 2011

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire has directed that flags at all Washington state agency buildings be lowered to half-staff Thursday, June 2nd, in memory of U.S. Army Specialist Adam Patton, 21, of Port Orchard. Patton died May 26 of injuries sustained in Afghanistan when an improvised explosive device detonated near him.

Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business Thursday, or first thing Friday morning, June 3rd.

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.