Flags lowered to half-staff in Wisconsin Sunday for Army Spc. Kevin Graham

Flags at Wisconsin National Guard armories, air bases and other facilities across the state will fly at half-staff Sunday, Oct. 25, in honor of Army Spc. Kevin Graham, a former Wisconsin resident, who died Sept. 26 of injuries received during an improvised explosive device attack in Kandahar, Afghanistan. The National Guard will render these honors in accordance with an executive order issued by Gov. Jim Doyle.

EXECUTIVE ORDER # 293 reads:

Relating to a Proclamation that the Flag of the United States and the Flag of the State of Wisconsin be Flown at Half-Staff as a Mark of Respect for Specialist Kevin Graham of the United States Army Who Lost His Life While Serving his Country in Operation Enduring Freedom

WHEREAS, on September 26, 2009, Specialist Kevin Graham, assigned to the 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 5th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division, died while serving his country in Afghanistan; and

WHEREAS, Specialist Kevin Graham provided faithful and honorable service to the people of the State of Wisconsin and the people of the United States; and WHEREAS, the people of Wisconsin mourn the death of Specialist Kevin Graham; and WHEREAS, a memorial service will be held for Specialist Kevin Graham on Sunday, October 25, 2009;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JIM DOYLE, Governor of the State of Wisconsin, by the authority vested in me by Federal and State law, do hereby order that the flag of the United States and the flag of the State of Wisconsin shall be flown at half-staff at all buildings, grounds and military installations of the State of Wisconsin equipped with such flags beginning at sunrise on October 25, 2009, and ending at sunset on that date.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Wisconsin to be affixed. Done at the Capitol in the City of Madison this twentieth day of October in the year two thousand nine.

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All Wisconsin state government facilities are covered by the governor's order and a 2007 amendment to the U.S. Flag Code now requires all federal facilities in Wisconsin to comply. Other government agencies, businesses and private residences with flagpoles may also honor Spc. Kevin Graham by lowering their U.S. and Wisconsin state flags to half-staff during the daylight hours on Oct 25.