Wash. governor lowers flags for slain Marine with Minn. ties

Published 1:30 pm Saturday, February 27, 2010

Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire has directed that flags at Washington state buildings fly at half staff Monday in memory of a Marine killed in Afghanistan.

The Defense Department said 19-year-old Lance Cpl. Eric L. Ward of Redmond died Sunday while supporting combat operations in Helmand province.

KSTP-TV in St. Paul reported Friday that Ward had Minnesota ties. The station said he lived in Chanhassen for several years before moving to Seattle.

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He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.