Politics & Government
Photo of the Day: Flags at Half-Staff
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If you drove by the over the weekend you may have noticed the U.S. and City of Des Plaines flags at half-staff. The flags were lowered in accordance with an order by Gov. Pat Quinn to fly U.S. and state flags at half-staff on the funeral day of every fallen Illinois soldier, and on the two days preceding that day, according to the state’s website.
Flags were flown at half-staff on behalf of Lance Cpl. Joshua E. Witsman, U.S. Marine Corps, from June 8 to June 10, a press release from the governor’s office stated.
Witsman, of Covington, IN, was supporting combat operations in Afghanistan when he died on May 30, The Orange County Register reported. A public affairs officer at Camp Pendleton Marine base said the death of the 23-year-old Marine was under investigation, but additional details have not been released from the Department of Defense.
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Witsman was on his second deployment to Afghanistan, and his decorations include the Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two bronze star devices, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and more, the U-T San Diego reported.
Hundreds gathered in Covington, IN to welcome Witsman home on June 7, IndyStar reported.
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