Monday, August 13, 2007
Governor Orders Flags Lowered To Honor Fallen Soldier
Governor calls for flags to be flown at half staff to honor Chief Warrant Officer Dennis Hamilton
(Des Moines) Governor Chet Culver ordered that all flags in the state be flown at half staff on Tuesday, August 14th 2007, from 8 a.m. (CST) until sunset in honor of Chief Warrant Officer Dennis Hamilton. Officer Hamilton, age 21, went missing in action after his helicopter was shot down in Laos in 1968 and his remains have recently been identified by the Department of Defense. Hamilton, a native of Barnes City, will be buried at Arlington National Cemetery on August 14th.
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. Flags will be at half staff on the state Capitol Building and on flag displays in the Capitol Complex, and upon all public buildings, grounds, and facilities throughout the state. Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties, and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flag at half staff for the same length of time as a sign of respect.