Gov. Gregoire orders flags flown at half-staff Tuesday - Flag lowering honors fallen Marine from Bothell

For Immediate Release: September 15, 2008

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire has directed that flags at all Washington state agency buildings be lowered to half-staff Tuesday, Sept. 16, in memory of U. S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. Nicholas A. Madrazo of Bothell. Madrazo was killed in action Sept. 9 in Parwan province, Afghanistan.

Flags will remain at half-staff until sunset Tuesday or first thing Wednesday morning, Sept. 17.

First Gentleman Mike Gregoire will attend Lt. Madrazo�s funeral service scheduled for Sept. 20.

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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