(DES MOINES) – Gov. Branstad is ordering all flags in the state to be flown at half-staff from 5 p.m. Friday, November 30, to 8 a.m. on Monday, December 3, to honor Sgt. Joseph A. Richardson, 23, of Algona, who died while on patrol with the U.S. Army in Paktika province, Afghanistan, on November 16, 2012.
Sgt. Richardson’s funeral will be held Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Cecilia Catholic Church in Algona. Maj. Gen. Timothy Orr, adjutant general of the Iowa National Guard, will be in attendance to represent the Branstad/Reynolds administration.
The governor’s directive applies to all U.S. and state flags under the control of the state. H.R. 692, signed in 2007, requires federal government agencies in the state to comply with the governor’s executive order 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.
4 thoughts on “Gov. Branstad orders flags at half-staff to honor Sgt. Joseph A. Richardson”
@a citizen-Good question, but you know we don’t spit on soldiers anymore either. I remember that too.
@LVS: Ah yes, one of my less favorite memories of coming back from Viet Nam.
How many flags were lowered to half-staff during the Viet Nam conflict to honor the military who died over there? Just asking.
What happend to you guys was terrible. I have an uncle who had to go through that also. I was also met with anti-war protesters outside of the Atlanta airport on my way back from Iraq (however i was not spit on).. But because the flag wasn’t lowered during the Vietnam war does that mean it shouldn’t be lowered now?