Lowered flags will honor Beattie

OLYMPIA – Flags at all state and many other government buildings will be flown at half-staff Wednesday in memory of a Medical Lake soldier killed in Iraq last week.

U.S. Army Sgt. Clifford Beattie, 37, was killed May 22 in Baghdad when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. It was his third combat tour in Iraq.

Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire directed all state agencies to lower flags outside their buildings across to half-staff Wednesday. Gregoire’s office said the governor also is encouraging other government facilities, citizens and businesses to do the same.

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.