Why are flags flying at half-staff in Colorado on Thursday?
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis ordered flags to fly at half-staff on Thursday in honor of a U.S. Army soldier from Fort Carson who died in May in a training accident on an Iraq airbase.
Flags will fly at half-staff for Sergeant Devin A. Seibel from sunrise to sunset on Thursday, the day of his memorial, according to the governor’s office. Seibel died “during a training-related incident” on May 31 at Erbil Airbase in Iraq, according to federal defense officials. He was 26 years old.
“Brave members of our military put their lives on the line every day,” Polis said in a statement. “In Colorado, we are proud of our brave service members and no sacrifice goes unnoticed. My thoughts are with Sergeant Devin A. Seibel’s family and loved ones on the day of Sergeant Seibel’s memorial as we lower our flags across our state. May he rest in peace.”
Seibel was stationed at the airbase to support Operation Inherent Resolve — the name of the U.S. fight against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. He was originally from Robinson, Texas, and was assigned to the Air Ambulance Company in the 2nd Battalion, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson.
Get more Colorado news by signing up for our daily Your Morning Dozen email newsletter.