Gov. Christine Gregoire has directed that Washington state and United States flags at all state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff Tuesday, Jan. 18, in memory of U.S. Army Private First Class Robert J. Near, 21, of Granger, who died Jan. 7 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Kandahar Province, Afghanistan.

Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business Tuesday or first thing Wednesday morning, Jan. 19.