Gov. Gregoire orders flags flown at half-staff Wednesday, Nov. 4

For Immediate Release: October 30, 2009

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire has directed that flags at all Washington state agency buildings be lowered to half-staff Wednesday, Nov. 4, in memory of U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer Niall D. Lyons of Spokane. Lyons was killed this week in Afghanistan when the helicopter he was riding in crashed.

Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business Wednesday, or first thing Thursday morning, Nov. 5.

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.