Flags at half-staff

May 7, 2008 -- PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds asks that all flags in the state be flown at half staff on Thursday, May 8, 2008, from 8 a.m. until sunset, in honor of Senior Airman Jonathan A.V. Yelner, 24, of Lafayette, California.

Airman Yelner was assigned to the 28th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota. He died April 29 near Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device.

A memorial ceremony will be held at 9 a.m. (MDT) on Thursday, May 8, 2008, at the Black Hills Chapel on Ellsworth Air Force Base. A memorial service was held on May 6 in California.

Source: South Dakota Governor

5/7/2008 -- (HELENA) – Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer has ordered that the National flag and State flag be flown at half-staff beginning on Friday morning, May 9th until sundown Saturday, May 10th to honor the memory of U.S. Army Captain Andrew R. Pearson, killed while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom on April 30th, 2008.

Source: Montana Governor

May 02, 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 April 29 supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

According to the Department of Defense, Staff Sgt. Bryan E. Bolander, 26, of Bakersfield, Calif., died in Baghdad from wounds suffered when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

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

05/02/2008 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today released the following statement regarding the death of Staff Sgt. Bryan E. Bolander, of Bakersfield, CA:

“My heart goes out to Staff Sergeant Bryan Bolander’s family and friends as they mourn the loss of this brave Californian. Bryan’s dedication to his country and fellow citizens will never be forgotten by the people of our state. We are deeply grateful for his courage and service. Maria and I extend our deepest sympathies to Bryan’s loved ones during this difficult time.”    » read more »

05/01/2008 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today released the following statement regarding the death of Sgt. Merlin German, of Manhattan, NY:

"We are forever indebted to Sergeant Merlin German, a true patriot who gave his life to safeguard democracy. Merlin's courage and unfailing loyalty serve as an inspiration to Americans everywhere. Maria and I join the people of California in offering our deepest condolences to Merlin's family, friends and fellow Marines during this time of mourning."    » read more »

05/01/2008 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today released the following statement regarding the death of Sgt. 1st Class David L. McDowell, of Ramona, CA:

"Sergeant First Class David McDowell's sacrifice is an example of the extraordinary determination and courage that makes our nation so strong. We are forever grateful to David for his selflessness and steadfast devotion to the defense of America. Maria and I extend our deepest condolences to David's family, friends and fellow soldiers as they mourn his loss."

McDowell, 30, died April 29 in Bastion, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked using small arms fire. McDowell was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, United States Army, Fort Lewis, WA.    » read more »

05/01/2008 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today released the following statement regarding the death of Pfc. William T. Dix, of Culver City, CA:

"Maria and I were deeply saddened to learn of the loss of Private First Class William Dix. His courage, selflessness and unwavering commitment to the cause of liberty will always be cherished by the people of California. We send our thoughts and prayers to William's family, friends and fellow soldiers during this difficult time."

Dix, 32, died April 27 at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, as a result of injuries suffered in a non-combat related incident. Dix was assigned to the 14th Engineer Battalion, 555th Engineer Brigade, I Corps, United States Army, Fort Lewis, WA.    » read more »

April 29, 2008 -- TRENTON – In honor of United States Army Private Ronald Ray Harrison, Governor Jon S. Corzine signed the following Executive Order calling for the United States and New Jersey flags to fly at half-staff on Thursday, May 1, 2008.

The full text of the executive order is below.

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 101

WHEREAS, United States Army Private Ronald Ray Harrison, of Budd Lake, New Jersey, was raised in West Milford and attended Boonton High School; and

WHEREAS, Private Harrison joined the New Jersey Army National Guard in December 2003 and enlisted in the United States Army in April 2006; and    » read more »

04/25/2008 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today released the following statement regarding the death of Sgt. Guadalupe Cervantes Ramirez, of Fort Irwin, CA:

"Sergeant Guadalupe Cervantes Ramirez sacrificed his life to protect the values and freedoms which define our nation and its people. His devotion, loyalty and unfailing courage in the face of danger serve as an inspiration to all Americans. Maria and I extend our deepest condolences to Guadalupe's family and friends as they mourn the loss of this brave Californian."    » read more »

04/23/2008 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today released the following statement regarding the death of Petty Officer 1st Class Cherie L. Morton, of Bakersfield, CA:

"Maria and I join all Californians in paying tribute to the life of Petty Officer Cherie Morton, an outstanding patriot who made the ultimate sacrifice to defend America. We are forever grateful to Cherie for her courage, loyalty and steadfast commitment to the cause of liberty for all people. Our thoughts and prayers are with Cherie's family, friends and fellow sailors as they honor the memory of this fallen hero."    » read more »

April 18, 2008 -- CHARLESTON, W.Va. - West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin has ordered all national and state flags displayed at state facilities lowered to half-staff Sunday, April 20, and Saturday, April 26, in commemoration of the distinguished life and service of United States Army Staff Sergeant Jesse Adam Ault.

Staff Sgt. Ault was born in Wheeling, W.Va., grew up in Middlebourne, Tyler County, and was a 1998 graduate of Tyler Consolidated High School.

Staff Sgt. Ault, 28, died on Wednesday, April 9, in Baghdad, Iraq, from injuries sustained during a convoy mission in Tunnis, Iraq.

He served two tours in Iraq during his nearly 10-year career in the military.    » read more »

April 19, 2008 -- FRANKFORT, Ky. – Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear has directed that flags at all state office buildings be lowered to half-staff in honor of a Fort Campbell soldier who died April 17 supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

According to the Department of Defense, Staff Sgt. Jason L. Brown, 29, of Magnolia, Texas, died in Sama Village, Iraq, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked using small arms fire and grenades.

Flag at half staff: Photo by Echo9er (CC)

He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group, Fort Campbell, Ky.

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

4/17/2008 -- (HELENA) – Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer has ordered that the National flag and State flag be flown at half-staff beginning Friday morning, April 18th until sundown Saturday April 19th in honor of United States Navy Seaman Recruit Drew Murray who died while in service to his country on April 10th, 2008

Governor's Proclamation:

State of Montana
Governor’s Proclamation

I hereby order all flags flown in the State of Montana to be lowered on Friday morning, April 18th until sundown Saturday April 19th to honor the memory of U. S. Navy Seaman Recruit Drew Murray, who died while in service to his country on April 10th, 2008.

Dated this 17th day of April, 2008.

Brian Schweitzer, Governor

Source: Montana Governor

April 15, 2008 -- SANTA FE – New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson ordered flags to fly at half-staff in honor of Air Force Staff Sergeant Travis Griffin, 28, who lost his life while serving his country in Baghdad, on Thursday, April 3, 2008.

Staff Sergeant Griffin was a native of Dover, Delaware. He had served in the Air Force for 9 years. Griffin was on his 4th deployment to Iraq and was expected to return in 15 days.

Staff Sgt. Griffin was assigned to the 377th Security Forces Squadron at Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque. He had been stationed at Kirtland since 2004 and is the second airmen from the base killed in Iraq since the war began.    » read more »

Honoring Illinois' Fallen

April 14, 2008 -- The Department of Central Management Services has received notice from Illinois Governor Blagojevich’s Office to fly the flags at State occupied buildings at half-staff on behalf of:

Army PFC Shane D. Penley
United States Army
Hometown: Sauk Village, Illinois

Please immediately lower the United States flags and the State flags at all buildings occupied by your agency’s personnel from:

Sunrise, Tuesday, April 15, 2008 until
Sunset, Thursday, April 17, 2008

Source: Illinois Governor