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07/01/2012: "Flags To Be Lowered"

Gov. Chris Gregoire has directed that flags be lowered to half-staff Monday, July 2nd, in memory of Specialist-4 Jarrod A. Lallier, 20, of Spokane, Wash., who died June 18, in Zharay, Kandahar province, Afghanistan, when individuals in Afghan Police uniforms turned their weapons against his unit.

He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C. Jarrod deployed to Afghanistan in early 2012, He joined the Army in July 2010 and trained at Fort Benning, Ga., before joining the 4th Brigade Combat Team in November 2010.

He was serving his first deployment.

His awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal with campaign star, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Combat Infantryman's Badge and the Parachutist Badge,

The flag lowering coincides with Lallier’s memorial service, and flags should remain at half-staff until close of business Monday, or first thing Tuesday morning, July 3rd.

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.