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Flags at Wisconsin National Guard armories, air bases and other facilities across the state will fly at half-staff Saturday, July 26, in honor of U.S. Army 1st Lt. Nick Dewhirst, an Onalaska native who was killed in action in Khost Province, Afghanistan, this week. The Guard will render these honors in accordance with an executive order issued by Gov. Jim Doyle.

Executive Order 262 reads:

WHEREAS, on July 20, 2008, 1st Lieutenant Nick Dewhirst, a member of Company D, 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), United States Army, died while serving his country in Afghanistan; and

WHEREAS, 1st Lieutenant Nick Dewhirst 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 1st Lieutenant Nick Dewhirst; and

WHEREAS, a memorial service will be held for 1st Lieutenant Nick Dewhirst Saturday, July 26, 2008;

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 July 26, 2008, and ending at sunset on that date.

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 Dewhirst by lowering their U.S. and Wisconsin state flags to half-staff during the daylight hours of July 26.