Lowered flags at Mercer Island's fire department and municipal buildings today are in honor of a fallen Marine from Washington state, according to Governor Christine Gregoire's office.
Gregoire ordered the Washington State and United States flags lowered to half-mast in honor of U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Matthew H. Stiltz, 26, of Spokane, on Tuesday, Nov. 20. He died on Nov.12 in Afghanistan of injuries he sustained when his unit was attacked by insurgents.
Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business Tuesday, Nov. 20, or first thing Wednesday morning, Nov. 21.
Gov. Gregoire 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.
