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06/21/2012: "Flags At Half Staff Friday"

Gov. Chris Gregoire has directed that flags be lowered to half-staff Friday, June 22, in memory of U.S. Army First Lieutenant Mathew G. Fazzari, 25, of Walla Walla. Fazzari was killed June 6 in Afghanistan when his helicopter crashed after receiving enemy fire.

The flag lowering coincides with Fazzari’s memorial service, and flags should remain at half-staff until close of business Friday.

Fazzari was a 2010 graduate of Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash., the release said. He was commissioned into the Army as a 2nd lieutenant in October 2010 and earned his qualification as Kiowah pilot at Fort Rucker in April 2012, the release said.

He was assigned to Fort Bragg last month and immediately deployed, for the firs time, to Afghanistan, the release said.

Fazzari is survived by his wife, Tovah, and children, Dominic and Samuel.

Fazzari was a 2010 graduate of Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash., the release said. He was commissioned into the Army as a 2nd lieutenant in October 2010 and earned his qualification as a Kiowah pilot at Fort Rucker in April 2012, the release said.
He was assigned to Fort Bragg last month and immediately deployed, for the first time, to Afghanistan.

Fazzari's awards and decorations include a Purple Heart, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, the Air Assault Badge, the Army Aviator Badge and a Combat Aviation Badge.
Fazzari is survived by his wife, Tovah, and children, Dominic and Samuel.

Congress amended the U.S. Flag Code to give governors the authority to lower flags when a state resident in the military is killed in the line of duty. Other government entities, citizens and businesses are encouraged to join in this recognition.