Flags to be lowered March 9 in honor of U.S. Marine

Gov. Chris Gregoire has directed that flags at all Washington state agency facilities be lowered to half-staff Friday, March 9, in memory of U. S. Marine Corps Lance Corporal Nickoulas H. Elliott, 21, of Spokane, who died Feb. 22 in a helicopter training accident.

Flags should remain at half-staff until close of business Friday. Other government entities, citizens and businesses are encouraged to join this recognition.

A memorial for the family is scheduled for March 10 at the Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent.