State flags at half staff in honor of Staff Sgt. Carl E. Hammer

Statement by Governor Jan Brewer

Mourning the Loss of Staff Sgt. Carl E. Hammar

 

             

              “Please join me today in honoring the sacrifice of a brave Arizona serviceman. United States Army Staff Sgt. Carl E. Hammar, of Lake Havasu City, Arizona, died July 14, 2012, due to injuries sustained when his dismounted patrol came under enemy small arms fire. Staff Sgt. Hammar, 24, was deployed to the Khost province of Afghanistan, where he was serving our Nation in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

 

              “Staff Sgt. Hammar was a member of the 1^st Battalion, 501^st Infantry Regiment, 4^th Airborne Brigade Combat Team, 25^th Infantry Division, and assigned to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, located near Anchorage, Alaska.

 

              “This is a day to offer our condolences, prayers and due respect for Staff Sgt. Hammar and the family he leaves behind. Please also pray for his fellow soldiers, as well as for all of the men and women who nobly serve our country as part of the United States Military.

 

              “The depth of their sacrifice is too often taken for granted until we learn of a tragedy such as this. Today is a stark reminder to honor their service and never stop praying for their safety.

 

              “In honor of Staff Sgt. Carl E. Hammar, I have ordered that flags at all State buildings be lowered to half-staff until sunset today, July 17, 2012. I also will request that flags be lowered from sunrise until sunset on the day of his interment, for which services are pending.”