Gov. Gregoire orders flags flown at half-staff Thursday

For Immediate Release: June 4, 2008

Flag lowering honors fallen soldier from Battle Ground

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire has directed that flags at all Washington state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff Thursday, June 5, in memory of U.S. Army Pvt. Andrew J. Shields, who was killed in action in Afghanistan May 31.

Flags will remain at half-staff until sunset Thursday or first thing Friday morning, June 6.

Last year, 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.

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