Flags at half-staff

November 11, 2009 -- Washington D.C. -- The FBI continues to work closely with the Department of the Army in the joint, ongoing investigation into the tragic events that occurred last Thursday at Fort Hood. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the victims and their families.

With respect to the investigation—the Army Criminal Investigative Division is leading a coordinated criminal investigation with the support of the FBI and other components of the Department of Justice and the Texas Rangers. The investigation is in its early stages, and the information we can provide now is limited.    » read more »

November 10, 2009 -- JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Missouri Governor Jay Nixon has ordered that the U.S. and Missouri flags on all state buildings in St. Louis County be flown at half-staff from Nov. 12 to Nov. 18 to honor the bravery and sacrifice of Specialist Christopher M. Cooper, age 28, of St. Louis. Specialist Cooper was a soldier in the United States Army who died on Oct. 30 while serving his country in Babil Province, Iraq.

In addition, Gov. Nixon has ordered that the U.S. and Missouri flags at state buildings in all 114 counties and the city of St. Louis be flown at half-staff for one full day on Thursday, Nov. 12.    » read more »

November 10, 2009 -- Fort Hood - III Corps, Fort Hood, Texas -- THE PRESIDENT: To the Fort Hood community; to Admiral Mullen; General Casey; General Cone; Secretary McHugh; Secretary Gates; most importantly, to family, friends and members of our Armed Forces. We come together filled with sorrow for the 13 Americans that we have lost; with gratitude for the lives that they led; and with a determination to honor them through the work we carry on.

This is a time of war. Yet these Americans did not die on a foreign field of battle. They were killed here, on American soil, in the heart of this great state and the heart of this great American community. This is the fact that makes the tragedy even more painful, even more incomprehensible.    » read more »

November 9, 2009 -- OLYMPIA – Washington Governor Chris Gregoire has directed that flags at all Washington state agency buildings be lowered to half-staff Thursday, Nov. 12, in memory of U.S. Army Specialist Aaron S. Aamot of Custer. Aamot was killed last week in Afghanistan when an improvised explosive device detonated near his military vehicle.

Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business Thursday, or first thing Friday morning, Nov. 13.

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. Other government entities, citizens and businesses are encouraged to join in this recognition.

Source: Washington Governor

Nov. 6, 2009 -- PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds asks that all flags in South Dakota be flown at half staff until Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2009, from 8 a.m. until sunset in tribute to those who lost their lives in a mass shooting at Fort Hood, Texas.

“This truly is a tragedy, and our hearts go out to the victims’ families, friends and loved ones,” the Governor said.

The president today ordered flags at the White House and federal agencies to be flown at half-staff until Veterans Day.

Source: South Dakota Governor

November 9, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson has directed that flags on New York State government buildings be flown at half-staff on Thursday, November 12, in honor of an Albany-area soldier who died in Iraq on November 4.

Staff Sergeant Amy C. Tirador, a member of the 209th Military Intelligence Co., 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment of the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team of the 2nd Infantry Division, died of injuries sustained in a non-combat related incident in Kirkush. The unit is based at Fort Lewis, Washington.    » read more »

November 9, 2009 -- TRENTON - In honor of those who were affected by the tragic incident at the Fort Hood Texas Army Base, Acting Governor Richard J. Codey signed the following Executive Order calling for the United States and New Jersey flags to fly at half-staff on Tuesday, November 10, 2009.

The full text of the Executive Order is below.

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 158

WHEREAS, the tragedy at the Fort Hood Texas Army Base, has shaken the nation and, in particular, has affected the citizens of the State of New Jersey because of the injury of a soldier from Bridgewater, New Jersey; and    » read more »

Continuation of Investigation into Terrorism on U.S. Soil

November 9, 2009 -- WASHINGTON -- Senate Homeland Security Chairman Joe Lieberman, ID-Conn., and Ranking Member Susan Collins, R-Me., formally announced on Monday that their Committee will be conducting an investigation into last week's murders at Ft. Hood, beginning with a public hearing next week. The Senators released the following statements today on their inquiry and intention to hold hearings on the attack:    » read more »

November 07, 2009 -- WASHINGTON – In this week’s address, President Barack Obama expressed his sadness for the tragedy at Fort Hood and praised the selfless valor of those who came to the aid of the wounded. While we mourn the heartbreaking violence, we should honor the heroism of the soldiers and civilians who rushed to help their comrades. That is the heroism which makes the U.S. military the finest in the world.

Remarks of President Barack Obama
As Prepared for Delivery
Weekly Address
Saturday, November 7, 2009

I’d like to speak with you for a few minutes today about the tragedy that took place at Ft. Hood. This past Thursday, on a clear Texas afternoon, an Army psychiatrist walked into the Soldier Readiness Processing Center, and began shooting his fellow soldiers.    » read more »

Manchin offers condolences to the Fort Hood community

Nov. 6, 2009 -- CHARLESTON, W.Va. – In conjunction with presidential proclamation lowering U.S. flags, West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin has ordered all state flags to be lowered to half-staff immediately in honor of the victims of the tragedy at Fort Hood, Texas.

The flags shall remain at half-staff until Tuesday, Nov. 10, at sunset.

Gov. Manchin also issued this statement of condolence:    » read more »

SALT LAKE CITY - Utah Governor Gary R. Herbert issued the following statement today in response to the death of Private First Class Aaron Thomas Nemelka.

"Utah joins the entire nation in grieving today for the servicemen and women killed and injured during yesterday's tragedy at Fort Hood in Texas. One of those brave victims was Private First Class Aaron Nemelka from West Jordan, a young combat engineer who was preparing to put his life on the line to protect the values that we hold dear.

"Jeanette and I extend our deepest condolences to Private First Class Nemelka's family, as well as all of the families affected by this senseless attack. We ought never forget about those who risk their lives every day, at home and abroad, to protect our freedoms."    » read more »

Flags to Remain Lowered until Veterans Day

Nov. 6, 2009 -- Harrisburg – Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell today ordered U.S. and state flags at commonwealth facilities to be flown at half-staff until Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, in honor of the soldiers who were killed and injured during a Nov. 5 shooting at Fort Hood Army base in Texas.

"This tragic news shocked the nation and we join Americans in grieving the losses and injuries inflicted by this violent act,” Governor Rendell said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the fallen soldiers, their families, and the Fort Hood community.”

The Governor’s order follows that of President Barack Obama, who ordered all U.S. flags at federal buildings to be lowered until Veterans Day.    » read more »

Flags to be lowered until sunset on Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Nov. 6, 2009 -- (Salem) - Today Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski ordered all flags at public institutions be flown at half-staff until sunset on Tuesday, November 10, 2009, in memory of those lost in the Fort Hood tragedy yesterday.

“The tragic event at Fort Hood yesterday is not only devastating for the families, but for our entire nation,” said Governor Kulongoski. “As we keep our soldiers serving abroad in our thoughts and prayers, we should take a moment to think about those lost at Fort Hood and their families.”

Source: Oregon Governor

Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland has issued the following statement in honor of the victims of the Fort Hood tragedy and has ordered all state flags at public buildings and grounds to be flown at half-staff until sunset on Tuesday, November 10, 2009.

Ohio grieves for the victims of the tragedy at Fort Hood. The prayers of our people seek comfort for the families of those who were lost, recovery for those who were injured, and solace for all whose lives were affected by this senseless violence.    » read more »

November 06, 2009 -- BISMARCK, N.D. – In accordance with a directive issued by the President, North Dakota Governor John Hoeven today directed all government agencies in the state to fly the American and North Dakota flags at half staff until Veterans Day in honor of the victims of the Fort Hood shootings. Effective today, the flags are directed to be flown at half staff from sunrise to sunset each day until November 11.    » read more »