Flags at half-staff

April 11, 2008 -- AUGUSTA – Maine Governor John E. Baldacci has learned of the death of an active duty Army soldier with Maine ties.

Spc. William Charles Koelsch III, died in on Wednesday, April 9, in a training accident at Fort Polk, Louisiana. He served with the 509th Infantry (Airborne).

Spc. Koelsch’s mother lives in Fort Fairfield. He also has a sister who lives in Maine.

“All of Maine mourns the death of another brave soldier,” Governor Baldacci said. “We will keep SPC Koelsch’s family and friends in our prayers during this difficult time.”

Flags will be ordered flown at half-staff on the day of Spc Koelsch’s funeral.

No additional information is available at this time.

Source: Maine Governor

April 11, 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 9 supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

According to the Department of Defense, Specialist Jacob J. Fairbanks, 22, of Saint Paul, Minn., died in Baghdad, Iraq, of injuries suffered in a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery 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 »

April 11, 2008 -- (Des Moines) -- Iowa Governor Chet Culver ordered today that all flags in the state be flown at half staff on Monday, April 14, 2008, from 8 a.m. (CST) until sunset in honor of Maj. Stuart Wolfer, 36, who died on April 6, 2008 while serving in Iraq. Wolfer served in Des Moines from May 1994 through November 1996 with the Army Reserve's 19th Theatre Army Area Command of Fort Des Moines. Funeral services were held Friday, April 11.    » read more »

04/11/2008 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today released the following statement regarding the death of Tech. Sgt. Anthony L. Capra, of Hanford, CA:

"California mourns the loss of Technical Sergeant Anthony Capra, a dedicated patriot who sacrificed his life for the cause of freedom. Flag at half staff: Photo by Steven2005 (CC)We are eternally grateful to Anthony for his valor, leadership and service to this country. On behalf of all Californians, Maria and I extend our deepest condolences to Anthony's family and friends during this difficult time."    » read more »

April 10, 2008 -- AUGUSTA – In remembrance and honor of Sgt. Nicholas A. Robertson, Maine Governor John E. Baldacci has directed that the United States flag and the State of Maine flag be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset Friday, April 11, 2008.

Sgt. Robertson died as a result of wounds received in Afghanistan on April 2, 2008. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C.

Services for Sgt. Robertson are being held on Friday in Brewer.

Source: Maine Governor

Governor Calls For Flags To Be Flown At Half Staff To Honor Lance Cpl. Cody Wanken

April 10, 2008 -- Des Moines -- Iowa Governor Chet Culver ordered that all flags in the state be flown at half staff today, April 10, 2008, from 8 a.m. (CST) until sunset in honor of Lance Cpl. Cody Wanken, 20, of Hampton who died on April 2, 2008.

The Governor's directive applies to all U.S. and state flags under the control of the state. H.R. 692, signed by President Bush in June 2007, requires federal government agencies in the state to comply with the Governor’s proclamation that the U.S. flag be flown at half-staff in the event of the death of a member of the Armed Forces.    » read more »

04/09/2008 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today released the following statement regarding the death of Sgt. Richard A. Vaughn of San Diego, CA:

"Maria and I join the people of California in offering our sincerest condolences to the family, friends and fellow soldiers of Sergeant Richard Vaughn, a devoted patriot who gave his life to defend freedom. Richard's courage and unyielding loyalty remind all Californians of the sacrifices made to protect democracy and keep us safe. We will honor and cherish the memory of this brave Californian forever."    » read more »

04/09/2008 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today released the following statement regarding the death of Sgt. Timothy M. Smith of South Lake Tahoe, CA:

"Sergeant Timothy Smith served his country with pride, distinction and relentless bravery. Maria and I stand with the people of California in honoring the life of this American hero, who answered the call to defend liberty and safeguard the United States. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Timothy's family and friends as they mourn the passing of a great soldier and an extraordinarily selfless Californian."    » read more »

April 08, 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 6 supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

According to the Department of Defense, Pfc. Shane D. Penley, 19, of Sauk Village, Ill., died at Patrol Base Copper, Iraq, from wounds suffered while on duty at a guard post. He was assigned to the 2nd 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 incomplete.    » read more »

Governor Calls For Flags To Be Flown At Half Staff To Honor Lance Cpl. Cody Wanken

April 8, 2008 -- (Des Moines) -- Iowa Governor Chet Culver ordered today that all flags in the state be flown at half staff on Thursday, April 10, 2008, from 8 a.m. (CST) until sunset in honor of Lance Cpl. Cody Wanken, 20, of Hampton who died on April 2, 2008.    » read more »

04/03/2008 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today released the following statement regarding the death of Maj. William G. Hall of Seattle, WA:

"We are forever grateful for Major William Hall's service to this country. He answered the call to defend freedom with pride and honor -- traits which define our men and women in uniform. Maria and I join all Californians in paying tribute to William's sacrifice and offering our sincere condolences to his family and fellow Marines as they mourn his loss."    » read more »

4/1/2008 -- (HELENA) – Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer has ordered that the National flag and State flag be flown at half-staff beginning Thursday, April 3rd and ending Friday, April 4th at sundown in honor of United States Army Staff Sergeant Shawn Gillespie who died while in service to his country on March 24th, 2008

Source: Montana Governor

March 28, 2008 -- TRENTON – In honor of United States Army Staff Sergeant William R. Neil, Jr., New Jersey Governor Jon S. Corzine signed the following Executive Order calling for the United States and New Jersey flags to fly at half-staff on Monday, March 31, 2008.

The full text of the executive order is below.

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 99

WHEREAS, United States Army Staff Sergeant William R. Neil, Jr., was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, and graduated from Hudson Catholic High School; and

WHEREAS, Staff Sergeant Neil enlisted in the United States Navy after graduation and served for four years before beginning a career on Wall Street; and    » read more »

March 28, 2008 -- AUGUSTA – In remembrance and honor of Private First Class Tyler Jacob Smith, Maine Governor John E. Baldacci has directed that the United States flag and the State of Maine flag be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset Monday, March 31, 2008.

PFC Smith died as a result of wounds received from indirect fire in Iraq on Friday, March 21, 2008.

His funeral services are scheduled for 2 p.m. on Monday at the West Parish Congregational Church, 10 Church Street in Bethel.

Source: Maine Governor

03/27/2008 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today released the following statement regarding the death of Pvt. George Delgado, of Palmdale, CA:

"Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Private George Delgado, who gave his life to defend freedom and protect the people of the United States. George served our country with honor, integrity and steadfast loyalty to his fellow soldiers-California has lost a true patriot. Maria and I send our sincerest condolences to his family during this difficult time."    » read more »