Kentucky Governor Beshear Directs Flags to Remain at Half-Staff

May 21, 2008 -- FRANKFORT, Ky. – Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear has directed that flags at all state office buildings remain at half-staff in honor of a Fort Campbell soldier who died May 18 supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

According to the Department of Defense, Pvt. Branden P. Haunert, 21, of Cincinnati, Ohio, died in Tikrit, Iraq, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

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Flags will remain at half-staff until sunset on the day of the funeral, for which arrangements are pending.

Individuals, businesses, organizations and government agencies are encouraged to join in this tribute by lowering flags to half-staff.

Flags are currently at half-staff in honor of Cpl. Jessica A. Ellis, who died May 11 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when her vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. She was assigned to the 2nd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

Source: Kentucky Governor