Gov. Gregoire orders flags flown at half-staff Tuesday, July 26th

For Immediate Release: July 22, 2011

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire has directed that flags at all Washington state agency buildings be lowered to half-staff Tuesday, July 26th, in memory of U.S. Army Sergeant Wyatt Goldsmith, 28, of Colville. Goldsmith died July 15 of injuries sustained in Afghanistan when his patrol received rocket-propelled grenade fire.

Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business Tuesday, or first thing Wednesday morning, July 27th.

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.