Flags lowered to half-staff in Wisconsin to honor fallen at Fort Hood

Flags at Wisconsin National Guard armories, air bases and other facilities across the state will fly at half-staff through sunset Nov. 10 in honor of the victims of the shootings at Fort Hood Nov. 5. The National Guard will render these honors in accordance with an executive order issued by Gov. Jim Doyle.

EXECUTIVE ORDER # 296
An Amendment to Executive Order No. 295

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 the Victims of the Shootings at Fort Hood Army Base, Texas

WHEREAS, Wisconsin joins the Nation in sorrow for those who lost their lives and loved ones, and in concern for those who were wounded, in the senseless acts of violence perpetrated on November 5, 2009, at Fort Hood Army Base, Texas; and

WHEREAS, it is always difficult to lose our courageous service members overseas, but it is shocking to lose these men and women in a senseless act of violence at an Army Base on American soil; and

WHEREAS, the people of the State of Wisconsin mourn the loss of the victims who died as a result of this shooting; and

WHEREAS, the thoughts and prayers of the people of the State of Wisconsin go to the wounded and the families of the fallen;

WHEREAS, the flag is by law and custom flown at full staff on Veterans Day in honor of our nation's Veterans,

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 be flown at half-staff at all buildings, grounds and military installations of the State of Wisconsin equipped with such flags beginning forthwith and ending at sundown on November 10, 2009. The flags shall be flown at full staff on November 11, 2009.

All Wisconsin state government facilities are covered by the governor's order and federal facilities are covered by a proclamation issued today by President Barack Obama. Other government agencies, businesses and private residences with flagpoles may honor the Fort Hood fallen by lowering their U.S. and Wisconsin state flags to half-staff during daylight hours until sunset Nov. 10. Flags should be flown at full-staff Veterans Day, Nov. 11.