The following is a news release from the Wisconsin National Guard:

Flags at Wisconsin National Guard armories, air bases and other facilities
across the state will fly at half-staff Thursday, April 24, in honor of Lance Cpl. Dean D. Opicka, Waukesha, and Cpl. Richard J. Nelson, Kenosha, who were killed in the same incident in Al Anbar Province, Iraq, on April 14.

The National Guard will render these honors in accordance with executive orders issued by Gov. Jim Doyle.

Executive Order 247 reads:

WHEREAS, on April 14, 2008, Lance Corporal Dean Opicka, a member of
Fox Company, 2nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division,
United States Marine Corps Reserve, died while serving his country in Iraq; and

WHEREAS, Lance Corporal Dean Opicka provided faithful and honorable
service to the people of the State of Wisconsin and the people of the United
States; and

WHEREAS, the people of Wisconsin mourn the death of Lance Corporal
Dean Opicka; and

WHEREAS, Lance Corporal Dean Opicka will be laid to rest on Thursday,
April 24, 2008;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JIM DOYLE, Governor of the State of Wisconsin, by the authority vested in me by Federal and State law, do hereby order that the flag of the United States and the flag of the State of Wisconsin shall be flown at half-staff at all buildings, grounds and military installations of the State of Wisconsin equipped with such flags beginning at sunrise on April 24, 2008, and ending at sunset on that date.

Executive Order 248 reads:

WHEREAS, on April 14, 2008, Corporal Richard Nelson, a member of Fox
Company, 2nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, United
States Marine Corps Reserve, died while serving his country in Iraq; and

WHEREAS, Corporal Richard Nelson provided faithful and honorable service to the people of the State of Wisconsin and the people of the United States; and

WHEREAS, the people of Wisconsin mourn the death of Corporal Richard
Nelson; and

WHEREAS, Corporal Richard Nelson will be laid to rest on Thursday, April 24, 2008;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JIM DOYLE, Governor of the State of Wisconsin, by the authority vested in me by Federal and State law, do hereby order that the flag of the United States and the flag of the State of Wisconsin shall be flown at half-staff at all buildings, grounds and military installations of the State of Wisconsin equipped with such flags beginning at sunrise on April 24, 2008, and ending at sunset on that date.

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All Wisconsin state government facilities are covered by the governor's order and a 2007 amendment to the U.S. Flag Code now requires all federal facilities in Wisconsin to comply.

Other government agencies, businesses and private residences with flagpoles may also honor Lance Cpl. Opicka and Cpl. Nelson by lowering their U.S. and Wisconsin state flags to half-staff during the daylight hours of April 24.