Gov. Terry E. Branstad orders flags at half-staff to honor Sgt. Brent Maher and Spc. Donald Nichols

State of Iowa Seal

(DES MOINES) – Gov. Terry Branstad has ordered all flags in Iowa be flown at half-staff beginning at 8 a.m. on Friday, April 22, 2011 until 8 a.m. on Monday, April 25, 2011 in honor of Sgt. Brent Maher, 31, formerly of Honey Creek, Iowa, and Spc. Donald Nichols, 21, formerly of Shell Rock, Iowa. Gov. Branstad has cleared his public schedule on both Friday and Saturday in order to attend each service.

Sgt. Maher was killed during a mounted patrol in Paktya Province, Afghanistan on Monday, April 11, 2011.

Sgt. Maher is survived by his wife, Brenna, three children, mother and step-father, brother, and grandparents. He will be laid to rest Friday, April 22, 2011.

Spc. Nicols was killed during a mounted patrol in Lagham Province, Afghanistan on Wednesday, April 13, 2011.

Spc. Nichols is survived by his fiancé, Chelsey Bliss, parents, two brothers, two grandmothers and grandfather. He will be laid to rest Saturday, April 23, 2011.

The Governor’s directive applies to all U.S. and state flags under the control of the state. H.R. 692, signed in 2007, requires federal government agencies in the state to comply with the Governor’s Executive Order that the U.S. flag be flown at half-staff in the event of the death of a member of the Armed Forces.

Flags will be at half-staff on the State Capitol Building and on flag displays in the Capitol Complex, and upon all public buildings, grounds, and facilities throughout the state. Individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government subdivisions are encouraged to fly the flag at half-staff for the same length of time as a sign of respect.

The U.S. flag flown over the state Capitol on the day of the funerals will be presented to Sgt. Maher and Spc. Nichols’ family at a later date, along with a proclamation honoring them.

For more information, please visit www.Governor.Iowa.gov