January 19, 2010

Flags lowered to honor war casualty

Under a proclamation signed by Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn, the United States flag and the Illinois flag are to be at half-staff at all State of Illinois facilities in honor of a U.S. Marine killed earlier this month while serving in the war in Afghanistan.

Flags are to be flown at half-staff beginning immediately, until sunset, Wednesday, Jan. 20, in honor of U.S. Marine Cpl. Jamie Russel Lowe.

Reports indicate that Lowe, 21, of Johnsonville, in Wayne County, died Jan. 11 from injuries received supporting combat operations in the Helmand province in southern Afghanistan. Two other Marines also died in the battle with insurgents.

Lowe graduated from Cisne High School in 2007.

Lowe was assigned to the 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force in Okinawa, Japan.