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

For Immediate Release: June 20, 2008

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire has directed that flags at all Washington state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff Monday, June 23, in memory of U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Michael Toussiant-Hyle Washington of Tacoma, who was killed in action in Afghanistan June 14.

First Gentleman Mike Gregoire will attend the June 27 funeral service for Sgt. Washington.

Flags should remain at half-staff until sunset Monday or first thing Tuesday morning, June 24.

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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