Fallen Army Specialist Honored by Flags at Half-Mast

Lowered flags at Mercer Island's fire department and municipal buildings today are in honor of a fallen soldier from Washington state, according to Governor Jay Inslee's office. 

Inslee ordered the Washington State and United States flags lowered to half-mast in honor of U.S. Army Specialist Robert W. Ellis, 21, of Kennewick, on Monday, July 1. He died on June 18 in Afghanistan of injuries sustained from indirect fire.

Flags should remain at half-staff until the close of business on July 1 or first thing Tuesday morning, July 2.

Gov. Inslee can direct state and local authorities to lower the flag in the event a state employee or law enforcement officer or active military services member from Washington is killed in the line of duty, or on the occasion of the death of a principal state or federal official. The Governor can also order flags at half-mast in honor of holidays or commemorative days, such as Patriot Day (Sept. 11), Peace Officers Memorial Day (May 15—unless that day is also Armed Forces Day), or Pearl Harbor Day (Dec. 7). 

For more information on U.S. and Washington flags, please visit the Secretary of State's webpage, or review the U.S. Flag Code.