FRANKFORT, Ky. – Governor Ernie Fletcher has directed that flags at all state office buildings remain at half-staff in honor of Spc. Jermaine D. Franklin.

According to the Department of Defense, Spc. Franklin, 22, of Arlington, Texas, died Nov. 9, in Jisr Naft, Iraq, of wounds sustained from an improvised explosive device.  He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 32nd Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell.

Flags will remain at half-staff until sunset on the day of Spc. Franklin’s funeral, for which arrangements are incomplete.

Individuals, businesses, organizations and government agencies are encouraged to join in this tribute by lowering flags in honor of Spc. Franklin.

Flags are currently at half-staff in honor of Capt. Benjamin D. Tiffner, 31, of West Virginia, who died Nov. 7 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds suffered when he was struck by an improvised explosive device.  He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Campbell.  Arrangements for Capt. Tiffner’s funeral are incomplete.