Sebelius directs flags to half-staff in honor of
Sgt. Christopher R. Kruse

In honor of Sergeant Christopher R. Kruse, from Emporia, Kansas, Governor Kathleen Sebelius has directed flags throughout the state to be flown at half-staff from sunrise until sunset on Wednesday, November 21, 2007, the day of his funeral service. This directive joins the observance of Sergeant Jeffery S. Mersman, whose funeral is on the same day.

“Communities throughout Kansas are mourning the loss of two native sons this week,” Sebelius said. “All Kansans join the Kruse family as they remember the life of a husband, father, brother, son and hero.”

Sgt. Kruse died November 13th in Mukhisa, Iraq when an improvised explosive device detonated during combat operations. Sgt. Kruse was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 4th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry out of Fort Lewis, Washington. He joined the Army in 2004 and was assigned to Fort Lewis in May of 2005.

Since April 2003, nine members of the Kansas National Guard and twelve Kansas residents have lost their lives while serving our country in the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In July, Sebelius signed an executive order allowing for the flags of the United States and the State of Kansas to be displayed at half-staff throughout the state when a member of the Kansas National Guard or Kansas Air National Guard is killed in the line of duty, or when a Kansas resident serving as a member of the United States Armed Forces is killed in the line of duty.  In each instance, the date the flag has flown at half-staff has been in conjunction with the fallen soldier’s funeral service.

Executive orders can be found online at: http://www.governor.ks.gov/executive/Orders/default.htm

# # #