July 23, 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. Army Ranger who died last week from wounds received while serving in the war in Afghanistan.
Flags are to be flown at half-staff beginning Sunday, July 25, until sunset, Tuesday, July 27, in honor of U.S. Army Sgt. Anibal Santiago.
Reports indicate that Santiago, 37, of Belvidere, died July 18, from non-combat related injuries received a day earlier when he fell from a high altitude over mountains in Khowst Province, Afghanistan.
A former Chicago police officer, Santiago enlisted in the U.S. Navy in October 2001, according to reports. He joined the Army in October 2007, and was on his third combat deployment. He was previously deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.
Santiago was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, out of Fort Benning, Ga., where he was a sniper and sniper team leader, according to reports.