Governor Orders Flags at Half-Staff in Memory of Oregon Soldier

Flags in Oregon will be lowered Monday March 26th, in honor of Sergeant 1st Class John Stephens.

Photo by: Bonnie King

(SALEM) - Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski has ordered that all flags at public institutions will be flown at half-staff on Monday, in memory of Sgt. 1st Class John Stephens of La Grande, Oregon. John Stephens, 41, died Thursday, March 15th in Tikrit, Iraq.

He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas. "Stephens spent most of his life serving our country and making the world a more peaceful place," said Governor Kulongoski.

"As an outstanding father, husband, Oregonian and soldier - he will be missed by all in his community."

For information on American service members who have died in the fighting overseas, please visit iraqwarheroes.org