Gov. Gregoire orders flags flown at half-staff Tuesday, November 20th

For Immediate Release: November 19, 2012

OLYMPIA � Gov. Chris Gregoire has directed that flags at all Washington state agency buildings be lowered to half-staff Tuesday, Nov. 20th, in memory of U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Matthew H. Stiltz of Spokane. Stiltz was killed November 12 when insurgents attacked his unit with artillery fire in Afghanistan.

Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business on November 20th or first thing Wednesday morning, November 21st.

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 this recognition.